Supercars approves Mustang changes

Supercars has confirmed adjustments will be implemented to the Ford Mustang in preparation for the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 event.

These modifications include alterations to the rear wing, side skirt and front fascia elements, with the primary aim of reducing drag and redistributing downforce to the rear of the Mustang.

The aero package is expected to remain in place for the season-ending VAILO Adelaide 500, before off-season wind tunnel testing.

Supercars announced that a Mustang and a Camaro will be shipped to North Carolina for testing at Windshear in December, marking the first time Supercars has used full scale wind tunnel testing to in a bid to solve the parity issues between the two cars. Other measures implemented include a transient dyno test.

Ford responded with the following statement on Supercars parity:

Following the activation of the Supercars Parity Review System at the Repco Bathurst 1000 Dick Johnson Racing, in conjunction with Ford Performance, conducted a review of the parity deficit.

This extensive review demonstrated a need for both aerodynamic and engine updates.

Ahead of the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, Supercars has approved changes only to the aerodynamics of the Mustang GT Supercar, which will continue to leave Ford teams at a disadvantage this weekend.

DJR established that a parity deficit existed using the process outlined in the Supercars Parity Review System. Through the available vehicle and timing data, DJR established a lap time deficit of 0.42s per lap compared to the Camaro at Mount Panorama.

To address this issue, DJR proposed adjustments to the Mustang’s aerodynamic and engine performance. The proposed changes were validated through CFD development, track testing, dyno testing and simulation tools, and were designed to reduce the parity deficit.

The requested, and subsequently approved, aerodynamic changes include modifications to the front fascia and side skirts, as well as adjustments to rear wing position, wingspan, and wing angle.

These changes have resulted in a front downforce reduction, minor rear downforce increase, total downforce reduction, and a drag reduction. The combined changes have shifted downforce balance rearward.

The proposed engine changes included a requested torque increase of 8Nm throughout the entire rev range, via a larger restrictor and minor calibration changes.

DJR’s analysis revealed the deficit could be apportioned as follows:

Aerodynamics

Total – 0.24 sec/lap

Engine

Total – 0.18 sec/lap

According to simulations, combining the proposed aerodynamic and engine changes would have resulted in a total lap time reduction of 0.308 seconds, bringing the total deficit down to 0.112 seconds per lap.

However, with Supercars only approving the aerodynamic update, Ford teams will remain at a larger disadvantage this weekend.

Ford and its teams welcome Supercars announcement that they are expanding their parity methods and tools. We hope this expansion allows for the achievement of true technical parity, a cornerstone of the series.

Focus now shifts to this weekend’s Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, with Ford teams and drivers aiming to maximise results with their updated Mustang race cars and provide Ford fans the show they deserve.