More wind tunnel testing for Gen3 Supercars

The extensive Supercars Gen3 wind tunnel testing program has not reached the finish line with an additional day next week.

The Supercars category confirmed the extension via its website and the return to the Windshear facility in North Carolina will take place on January 12.

The move is “aimed at refining the aesthetics of modifications made to the Ford Mustang during the December testing.”

After a tough maiden season surrounded by parity debates, the Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang went under the microscope during the category’s first ever wind tunnel test in December.

More than 4000km of testing was completed across three 12 hour days and Supercars left America claiming “aero parity between the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro was successfully achieved.”

However, the additional day on Friday, January 12 will be centred around “enhancing the aesthetics of the modifications made to the Ford Mustang.”

Supercars CEO Shane Howard said both cars are still in the USA and confirmed all 11 teams have access to the data.

“Comprehensive reports, along with detailed data from the December test, have been provided to all teams, emphasising transparency in the development process,” he said.

“While both cars are still in the USA, a decision has been agreed to by both Homologation Teams to conduct one further wind tunnel examination of the updated Ford model using the agreed modifications made after aero parity was reached during the December test.”

In December there were initially changes to the front fascia on the Ford and front splitter on both cars.

Other modifications including a decklid and attempts to deal with the leading edge of the Ford front splitter were trailed, plus all three versions of the Mustang aero package.

In the end changes to the Mustang’s splitter profile to bring it closer to the Camaro, plus reducing the sensitivity on the lower splitter surface and rear wing angles and positions were also made on both cars.

For the best part of a month, the American based Camaro and Mustang have remained in Parc ferme conditions at the NASCAR R&D facility near Windshear.

A smaller group from homologation teams Dick Johnson Racing/Triple Eight Race Engineering and Supercars will be at the January 12 test.

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