Ford Performance’s recent performance swings from track to track have raised concerns within the Supercars community. The dominance displayed by Ford at Sydney was starkly contrasted by their lack of podium finishes at Albert Park. This inconsistency has prompted Ford’s global director, Mark Rushbrook, to emphasize the importance of achieving technical parity in the series.
Rushbrook highlighted the undesirability of having one brand dominate at specific tracks, emphasizing the need for a more balanced competition across all circuits. The situation where Mustangs excelled at one venue only to be outperformed by Camaros at another was deemed unfavorable for the sport’s overall competitiveness.
The need for collaborative efforts between Ford, Supercars, and drivers to analyze data and feedback was stressed by Rushbrook. Understanding the factors contributing to performance variations, such as ambient temperatures or track conditions, is crucial in bridging the gap between different circuits and ensuring a more level playing field.
Speculation arose regarding Ford’s struggles at Albert Park, with suggestions that the aggressive kerbs on the Formula 1 circuit may have impacted the Coyote engine’s performance. Additionally, discussions during the off-season pointed towards potential modifications to the Ford engine to better cope with the challenges posed by racing at high altitudes like Mount Panorama.
Rushbrook expressed satisfaction with the progress made in enhancing parity processes within Supercars, crediting the contributions of key individuals like Tim Edwards and Perry Kapper. The implementation of initiatives such as wind tunnel testing and engine dyno testing has been instrumental in bringing the cars closer together in terms of performance.
Despite the advancements, Rushbrook acknowledged the looming challenge of introducing a third manufacturer, Toyota, into the series. Balancing the performance of two cars has proven difficult, making the addition of a third manufacturer a more complex task. The evolving landscape of Supercars demands continuous improvement and collaboration to ensure a competitive and exciting racing environment for all involved.
🔗 Reddit Discussions
- Are you sure you want me to take part in this go kart race? Sure thing, boss.
- Legitimately me when buying parts in a shop. No matter how many times I explain to them it’s for my race, or kit car that will not be found on their system. They still demand the model and registration, only to get a ‘told you so’
- Hypothetical: During a race, if P1 DNFs on the last lap, wouldn’t they still end up above the other cars they’ve lapped?