SUPERCARS engineering whiz Ludo Lacroix has made his first public appearance with his new team, PremiAir Racing.
Lacroix is at Queensland Raceway today, where PremiAir is assisting Supercars with engine parity testing.
PremiAir’s presence comes as a substitute for Chevrolet homologation team Triple Eight, which is believed to have allocated time off to staff following last week’s visit to the Windshear wind tunnel in the United States.
Andrew Edwards is at QR on Triple Eight’s behalf, though.
Coincidentally, Lacroix has quickly found himself alongside his ex-colleagues at Dick Johnson Racing, which is also at Queensland Raceway as the Ford homologation team.
The Frenchman recently parted ways with DJR after seven years, during which time the Ford outfit won three drivers’ championships and three teams’ titles.
Lacroix will be a key behind-the-scenes figure at PremiAir, especially following the resignation of Bathurst-winning engineer Geoff Slater.
Whether Lacroix acts as race engineer for James Golding remains to be seen; former Blanchard Racing Team guru Mirko De Rosa has been linked to joining PremiAir in what would be a reunion with Tim Slade.
Romy Mayer is also prominent in PremiAir’s engineering ranks.
PremiAir’s #23 Camaro and DJR’s #17 Mustang have been circulating at QR, with Golding, Slade, Will Davison and Anton De Pasquale all in attendance.
With aero parity having been under the microscope at Windshear, engine performance equalisation is now a major focus.
Ford last year expressed dismay at an engine disparity even after aero upgrades were approved post-Bathurst, following which Mustangs swept the final four races of the season.
Ford and DJR have since made moves to rectify matters at their end, with control supplier Herrod Performance Engines being bought out.
A revised name and new manager for the engine program are to be announced, with returning DJR team principal Ryan Story leading the charge in the interim.
Team pre-season testing is to take place in early February ahead of Round 1 at Mount Panorama later that month.
