Supercars teams analyse COG data
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 15 April 2023
Supercars teams have started comparing the Centre of Gravity data from their respective Gen3 Supercars this week ahead of the Perth SuperSprint.
Immediately after the Melbourne SuperSprint at the Australian Grand Prix, Supercars assessed the COG levels of the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang Gen3 cars
This was done by conducting measurements on a Supercars devised rig at Tickford Racing’s base at Campbellfield.
The COG tests post the Grand Prix were always pre planned and not a reflex reaction to the recent parity concerns.
With all teams based in Melbourne for the second round of the championship, early April was the best window to conduct the process.
Although results are yet to be made public a Supercars spokesperson stated the preliminary findings between the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro are “very close”.
“Work continues, preliminary results show the two cars are very close,” a Supercars spokesperson said.
“A more in depth analysis and study involving different car configurations is underway.”
Each team has kept its respective data to itself until this week with AUTO ACTION’s Andrew Clarke confirming the results will be compared a fortnight in advance of round 3 at Perth on the latest edition of the AUTO ACTION Rev Limiter podcast.
“They have not accumulated the information and it is going to a meeting on Thursday (last night),” Clarke said.
“Each team has its own data and they will sit down and compare the data on Thursday.
“We are talking less than 0.2 degrees difference between the two cars.”
COG was a point of contention in 2019 after the Gen2 Mustang arrived, and concerns were raised at a similar point of the season with changes being made to slow the Ford after that year’s Grand Prix round and continued to be adjusted throughout the season.
In 2023 podiums have been dominated by Camaro drivers. Image: Mark Horsburgh
In 2023 the stats suggest there is an imbalance in the parity between the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, with the “Blue Oval” now on the back foot.
All six Gen3 races held at Newcastle and Albert Park have been won on the track by the Camaro, while just four of the 18 podiums on offer were scored by Mustangs.
Ford teams believe they are racing for the “Mustang Cup”, with Tickford’s Tim Edwards claiming the issue is not just about engine performance or aero, but engine tune and COG which was not measurable until after the Melbourne round when all the teams had complete cars built.
Although the data is currently being discussed, an agreement is in place not to make fundamental changes until after the Perth SuperSprint.
“Regardless of what you think is going on on the race track, talking to people involved with the Fords, there are some issues,” AUTO ACTION’s Bruce Williams said on the Rev Limiter Podcast.
“Most of them are unhappy, and most of them are not saying too much. There is an agreement to look at this after the Wanneroo round, but the trend would be the Chevrolet product is the one to have.
“The teams might have their act together, but that could be disguising the fact the Chevrolet is an easier beast to race.”
Ford drivers are also convinced a disparity appeared at the high-speed Melbourne layout, with Andrew Clarke claiming they said “once they hit fourth gear, the Camaros would just drive away”.
Dick Johnson Racing’s Will Davison offered his insight.
“There is some straight line difference,” Davison said in the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.
“I think there is still a little bit of work to be done there, and there is a bit more to it than just the engine.
“I have no doubt we will get it sorted. We know the quality of the Ford teams and there is not much we can change in terms of mechanical elements of the car, so when you are losing in one particular spot, there is not really anywhere you can make it up.”
There will be plenty of interest to see how the Mustang shapes up against the Camaro at Perth on April 28-30.
For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.
AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.
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