PODCAST: Mustangs hit with costly change

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Supercars has made another running change to the long list of Gen3 control parts, mandating a more expensive single-source supply of the Mustang’s boot lip spoiler.

Ford teams have received an email directing them to use a carbon-fibre appendage made by Tickford costing more than double the existing plastic pieces.

The instruction was due to take effect at this week’s Australian Grand Prix for the four sprint races supporting the F1 season-opener.

However, SupercarXtra has learned that backlash from Ford teams and supply issues mean introduction of the new Mustang boot lip spoiler will almost certainly be delayed until at least the fourth round at Symmons Plains in May.

Mark ‘Foges’ Fogarty has the full story in the Race for the Championship podcast – brought to you by VACC Automotive Apprenticeships and Supercars Travel.

It’s not clear whether the exclusive deal is with Tickford Racing – suddenly Ford’s leading team – or the affiliated Tickford Engineering enterprise – or why it was felt necessary.

The change is highly unpopular, forcing Blue Oval squads to replace a relatively cheap body component with an expensive version.

The boot lip spoiler augments the fastback Mustang’s rear wing to help equalise its aero performance versus the notchback Chevrolet Camaro.

According to informed sources, the Tickford-made carbon fibre substitute will cost approximately $1000 more than the existing 3D-printed pieces. 

While not doubting the quality of the Tickford item, the other Ford teams are outraged at what they regard as an unnecessary extra cost being imposed by Supercars.

The Mustang’s boot lip spoiler is vulnerable in heavy rear-end impacts, with teams budgeting for about 10 replacements a season.

Forced to buy Tickford’s version, the bill will increase in excess of $10,000 a year for no discernible functional benefit, multiple Ford teams argue.

It was previously a control-spec part that Ford teams were free to make themselves within the strict Gen3 technical requirements.

Supercars’ initial edict was that Mustangs had to switch to the standardised boot lip spoiler at the Australian GP.

However, it’s believed limited initial supplies would have meant only enough were available for one per car, with no spares.

In the case of damage in the four sprint races at Albert Park, Ford teams would have been able to use their existing spoilers as replacements.

Following the pushback, it’s understood the change has been postponed while discussions continue.

Tickford Racing is Ford’s early front-runner after Cam Waters swept the opening round at Sydney Motorsport Park late last month.

It is not clear whether the race team or its Tickford Engineering offshoot won the exclusive supply deal.

TE’s fabrication expertise is top-tier, built on the Campbellfield operation’s former status as the Ford factory squad and engineering association with defunct fast Falcon road car division FPV.

There is no question Tickford’s carbon-fibre Mustang boot lid spoiler is an exquisite, high-quality item, attaining consistency across the board.

But at least two of the other four Ford are baulking at the cost increase for a minor part, questioning the benefit over 3D-printed plastic spoilers that do the job cheaply.

Supercars has increasingly imposed more single-source supply deals for parts that teams could previously produce to the Gen3 specifications.

As the heavily controlled Gen3 formula evolves, Supercars’ technical staff – headed by ex-Tickford Racing boss Tim Edwards – are clamping down on even minor freedoms.