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MUSTANG GETS ANOTHER AERO CUTBACK

Mustang gets another aero cutback - Photo: Shell V-Power Racing

By Bruce Williams

Mustang gets another aero cutback - Photo: Shell V-Power Racing

New Mustang rear wing is lower and further forward, with Gurney flap added – Photo: Shell V-Power Racing

Ford’s all-conquering Mustang is getting another aero ‘haircut’ for the coming season.

By MARK FOGARTY

Following two rounds of parity tests, Supercars has decreed that the Mustang’s rear wing has to be lowered and moved forward, along with modified end plates.

It is the two-door Ford’s second major cutback since the furore over its aero advantage began at the start of last season.

The accompanying images show the changes on a DJR Team Penske Mustang.

The rear wing is lowered by 50 mm and moved forward by 90 mm, with reshaped end plates that have the same surface area as last year.

In addition, a 10 mm high Gurney flap is added to the rear deck extension.

The photos show DJRTP’s prototype parts, with the team promising the race-ready versions will be “much neater”.

The Gurney flap shown is made from alloy metal, while the final spec will be carbon-fibre bonded to the composite boot lid extension.

Unspecified changes have also been made to the Mustang’s front splitter and front bar.

The modifications are the result of Supercars’ two revised VCAT (Vehicle Control Aerodynamic Test) sessions at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre in southeast Queensland.

Revised and fortified straight-line aero testing pitted the Mustang against the Commodore to produce more accurate downforce and drag measurements in a bid to end the parity debate.

2019 end plate (left) vs 2020 spec (right)

2019 end plate (left) vs 2020 spec (right)

It is reported that the Commodore’s rear wing and end plates are unchanged.

The maximum wing angles for both cars is slightly reduced and the front undertrays trimmed to lower downforce.

As well as improved parity, the changes are aimed at reducing overall aero downforce by 10-12 per cent to improve close-running racing.

The Mustang’s latest cutback follows the substantial aero trim enacted at the Perth SuperNight round last year.

For the first time, consolidated data from the VCAT process has been distributed to all teams, not just the homologation squads.

DJRTP is responsible for homologating the Mustang and Triple Eight handles the validation of the Commodore.

They provided cars and drivers for both VCAT sessions at Oakley, running them in different configurations and ride heights on the Oakey runway.

Downforce and air drag were measured across repeated 200-0 km/h coast down runs.

The updated aero packages will be tried for the first time in the pre-season test at The Bend on February 18.

Eight Mustangs – two more than last year – will take on 16 Commodores at the season-opening Adelaide 500 from February 21-23.

For the first time since 2012, the Supercars championship will be a strictly Ford versus Holden contest.

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