Parity argument heats up in Darwin
PARKED UP PLUS reports on the Blue Oval adding fuel to the parity debate; Brodie Kostecki closing on a NASCAR deal; and all the latest on the 2024 Supercars calendar.
Parity is now an even bigger issue, with Ford and Blue Oval team bosses publicly up in arms over what they claim the weekend confirmed is a clear disparity that’s crippling the Mustangs in the races.
The parity row is now set to rage ahead of next month’s Townsville 500, with Ford teams calling for urgent action, as discussed on the latest PARKED UP PLUS podcast. Listen here:
The eruption of dissent overshadowed the pair of fairytale small team race wins at Hidden Valley last weekend – veteran Mark Winterbottom scoring Team 18’s first victory on Saturday and then Jack Le Brocq delivering Matt Stone Racing’s maiden success in the final race on Sunday.
Their breakthroughs in Camaros only incensed the Blue Oval brigade even more, highlighting in their minds that the disparity is all about the cars, not the teams.
The issue is a lack of downforce that accelerates rear tyre wear, meaning the Mustangs – despite plenty of straightline speed – can’t match the Camaros in racing conditions.
Meanwhile, Brodie Kostecki escaped a tough weekend at Hidden Valley still clinging to the title lead from Erebus teammate Will Brown.
Kostecki told PARKED UP PLUS he made the most of what he had and is optimistic the team will bounce back at the tough Townsville street circuit…
Over the weekend, Kostecki confirmed his recent Erebus-organised visit to the States was a success, opening doors for a drive in a NASCAR event later this year. And it was later confirmed by Kostecki’s manager that the announcement of a deal is imminent.
He’ll be following in the tyre tracks of Shane van Gisbergen, about to head over to the States to prepare for his NASCAR debut in the July 2 Chicago street race.
Also in this week’s PARKED UP PLUS, Supercars supremo Shane Howard reveals talks for the Newcastle and New Zealand events are dragging on as expectations of 15 events or more in 2024 continue to mount. Howard said he is still aiming to announce next year’s calendar in early October before the Bathurst 1000.
Hear it all from the people who matter on PARKED UP PLUS, your weekly insight into Supercars, presented by multi-award winner Mark Fogarty.
