The recent Bend SuperSprint event marked a significant improvement for the Ford racing team this year, as their drivers secured second and third places on the podium across all three races. However, their performance was overshadowed by Brodie Kostecki driving a Camaro, who dominated the races and strengthened his chances of claiming his first Supercars championship.
The Bend circuit provided a suitable test for the updated Ford aero package that was introduced earlier in Townsville. This was due to the circuit’s high-speed nature and the fact that teams had gained two rounds of experience to better comprehend its functionality.
The results from the event indicate that teams are becoming more adept at refining the setup parameters within what was previously considered a narrow range. To further optimize the car’s balance and rear tire longevity, aero testing is scheduled at The Bend. This testing will involve experimenting with various elements like different-width rear wings, wing skirts, gurney flaps, rear boot spoilers, and even revised front aero components.
Two key factors under scrutiny during these tests are the operational range of the aero package and the extent of drag it introduces. Concerns arose after the Sydney SuperNight race that the new gurney component might have led to increased drag and subsequently affected the cars’ straight-line speed. However, this seemed less pronounced at The Bend, leading to speculation that the previously perceived speed issues might have been connected to shift cut recovery settings.
Throughout the year, Supercars has been adjusting the shift cut recovery for both Ford’s quadcam engine and Chevrolet’s pushrod unit in order to achieve parity. The shift cut recovery offset, with the Ford at 50 milliseconds and the Chevrolet at 105 milliseconds, was reinstated for The Bend event and is expected to remain unchanged for the rest of the season.
The question of whether there is an actual drag-related problem remains pivotal for both Ford and Supercars. This issue gains significance considering the next two races require strong straight-line speed. Sandown and Bathurst, with their extended straights, demand solid speed performance for competitive lap times and overtaking opportunities.
Despite the improved outcomes at The Bend, Ford and its teams approach these future races with cautious optimism. Tim Edwards, head of Tickford Racing, expressed concerns over the drag issue while acknowledging the complexities of implementing changes rapidly.
A final resolution on the drag issue holds immense importance for Ford and Supercars. Their collaboration is striving to strike a balance between performance and fairness, given the fine line of parity in today’s racing landscape. The ongoing work aims to fine-tune the package, but challenges persist due to the intricate nature of achieving parity in modern racing.
In addition to the aero package adjustments, today’s testing will also involve assessing a revised steering rack to address previous concerns. Triple Eight will be responsible for this aspect of testing. Meanwhile, Erebus will focus on experimenting with a new tire construction that is slightly taller than the current control tire, potentially introducing it in the upcoming year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Supercars Parity
What was the outcome of the Bend SuperSprint for Ford’s racing team?
The Bend SuperSprint showcased significant improvement for Ford’s racing team, with their drivers securing second and third positions on the podium in all three races.
How did Brodie Kostecki perform in the event?
Brodie Kostecki, driving a Camaro, dominated the races, achieving a clean sweep and bolstering his chances of winning his first Supercars championship.
What was the purpose of the revised Ford aero package tested at The Bend?
The revised Ford aero package, which debuted in Townsville, was tested at The Bend due to the circuit’s fast, flowing nature. It aimed to enhance the car’s performance and balance, building on lessons learned from previous rounds.
What adjustments were considered during the aero testing at The Bend?
During the aero testing at The Bend, various elements were experimented with, including different-width rear wings, wing skirts, gurney flaps, rear boot spoilers, and revised front aero components.
What concerns were raised about the aero package after the Sydney SuperNight race?
Following the Sydney SuperNight race, concerns arose about increased drag caused by the new gurney component in the aero package, potentially affecting straight-line speed.
How was the drag issue observed at The Bend?
At The Bend, the perceived drag issue seemed to be less pronounced, leading to speculation that previous speed concerns might have been connected to shift cut recovery settings.
What is shift cut recovery and its significance in Supercars racing?
Shift cut recovery involves adjusting the throttle during gear changes to maintain stability and performance. It’s a key factor in achieving parity between different engine types, like Ford’s quadcam engine and Chevrolet’s pushrod unit.
How did Supercars attempt to equalize engine performance?
Throughout the year, Supercars adjusted the shift cut recovery settings to balance performance between Ford and Chevrolet engines. This effort aimed to ensure fairness and competitive racing.
What challenges did Ford face with the revised aero package?
While the smaller throttle body on the Ford improved drivability, issues with power delivery throughout the rev range remained, highlighting the challenges of achieving a perfect balance.
What concerns did Tim Edwards of Tickford Racing express?
Tim Edwards expressed concerns over the drag issue and the complexities of implementing changes rapidly, emphasizing the trade-offs between making improvements and potential downsides.
How do Sandown and Bathurst circuits pose challenges for racing teams?
Sandown and Bathurst circuits have long straights critical for lap times and overtaking. Racing teams need strong straight-line speed for success, making the drag issue a crucial consideration.
What does the future hold for Ford’s racing performance?
Despite improved outcomes at The Bend, Ford and its teams approach future races with cautious optimism, aware that each circuit presents unique challenges that require ongoing performance adjustments.
What other aspects were addressed in testing at The Bend?
Apart from aero package adjustments, testing at The Bend also involved assessing a revised steering rack to address previous concerns and experimenting with a new tire construction for potential future use.
What is the objective of Erebus’s tire testing?
Erebus focused on testing a new, slightly taller tire construction that could potentially be implemented in the upcoming year, aiming to enhance tire performance and race strategy.
4 comments
shift cut, eh? ford vs chevy, who’ll be boss? no drag problems, maybe speed up? track secrets, they got ’em!
Sandown & Bathurst, straights = vroom vroom! ford’s gotta nail dat drag thing, erebus tryna taller tires, twisty twist!
ford aero testing @ The Bend, sounds like a big deal! teams tryna fig out that setup thingy, wid wings n stuff, y’know?
cautious hopes for ford, not always easy peasy, racing’s like, ups n downs, gotta get dat balance, vroom vroom, go team!