FORD has issued a statement declaring it is “deeply disappointed” with an “ongoing lack of technical parity in the Supercars Championship”.
The stern words from the Blue Oval follow the Supercars Board’s rejection of proposed changes to the aerodynamic package of the Gen3 Mustang ahead of the Bathurst 1000.
It was revealed by V8 Sleuth earlier on Thursday morning that the Mustangs will not race with the new parts, which were produced by the teams and taken to the circuit.
Chevrolet teams are understood to have opposed the upgrades, as the trigger for a formal parity review had not been reached.
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Supercars has yet to respond to the situation. Practice 1 begins at 1:20pm.
Read the full Ford statement below:
At Ford Motor Company, we are deeply committed to supporting our teams and drivers in their pursuit of excellence on the track. We understand that motorsport is not only a reflection of our brand and our products, but also an important platform for showcasing the talent and dedication of our racing partners.
We are therefore deeply disappointed by the ongoing lack of technical parity in the Supercars Championship, which has left Ford and its teams at a significant disadvantage throughout the 2023 season.
This lack of technical parity has had a tangible impact on the performance of our teams and drivers. Despite their skill, experience, and hard work, they have struggled to compete with other cars that have a clear advantage. This has not only been frustrating for our racing partners, but also for our loyal fans and supporters who expect to see Ford on the podium and in contention for championships.
Despite the best efforts of Ford, Homologation Team Dick Johnson Racing (DJR) and engine supplier Herrod Performance Engines to work with all stakeholders to ensure a level playing field, a lack of movement by the series organiser has restricted our ability to compete on an equal footing.
Ford has long been requesting data transparency to assist in understanding the disparity that exists between the two cars. Unfortunately, this has been rejected on multiple occasions.
The latest parity review was initiated when Supercars computational fluid dynamics (CFD) partner D2H Group provided aerodynamic data of both cars to the homologation teams on August 24. This data clearly demonstrated that aerodynamic parity had not been achieved.
Since that time, Ford and DJR have engaged with Supercars in good faith to create an aerodynamic update package that would bring the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro Gen3 Supercars closer to aerodynamic parity.
Unfortunately, on the eve of the Bathurst 1000, the Supercars Board has refused to allow the changes which would bring the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro closer to technical parity.
We want to be clear that this is not a reflection of the quality of our cars or our racing programs. We are confident in the strength and capabilities of our vehicles and our teams. We know that they have the talent and determination to succeed in any competitive environment, as evidenced by their incredible histories in this sport.
Our top priority is to help our teams to deliver the best possible racing experience for our fans and supporters. We appreciate their loyalty and urge Supercars to create the level playing field they deserve.
