V8 Supercars has given the green light to the new Ford Falcon FG X and the aerodynamic changes made to the Holden Commodore VF and the Nissan Altima L33, following a seven-day homologation test earlier this month.
V8 Supercars’ technical team and representatives from Prodrive Racing (Australia), Nissan Motorsport and Red Bull Racing Australia evaluated the comparative open-air downforce and drag of each model against the category’s Ford Falcon FG prototype which continues as the baseline for all aerodynamic testing.
In the absence of Valvoline Racing GRM and Erebus Motorsport, the historical data of the Volvo S60 and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG was also cross-referenced with the data collected during the parity testing at East Sale RAAF base in Victoria, having been homologated against the baseline FG ahead of the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
V8 Supercars sporting and technical director David Stuart managed the homologation process and concluded in his report that all five makes had met the criteria and had their respective entries approved for racing.
“The week went very smoothly,” said Stuart.
“The processes and equipment we introduced at the mid-year evaluation last year certainly provided us with additional information to achieve the result.
“The three participating teams had a very positive approach to the process and worked really well together with the technical team.
“The level of competition in 2014 was the closest in the history of V8 Supercars and we have every expectation that will be the case again this year, if not even closer, based on the improved process and the information we gathered.”
Mark Winterbottom, David Reynolds and Cameron Waters drove the FG X at Sale while Todd Kelly piloted the Altima, Nick Percat the Commodore and Todd Hazelwood the V8 Supercars prototype.
“The testing at Sale was a step in the right direction in our development of the new car and with the homologation complete we are looking forward to seeing what the car can do at the SuperTest next week,” Prodrive Racing (Australia) team principal Tim Edwards said.
“We’ve been in the process of developing the FG X for some time so the opportunity to get the car on the track is exciting. The progress we have seen so far is encouraging so we are hoping to see further developments prior to the first round.”
A rear wing adjustment was approved for the Holden Commodore while the Nissan underwent aerodynamic modifications which is said to include a side-mounted rear wing, both to reduce drag and bring them more in line with the set up of the Volvo.
“There’s been a lot of work going on behind the scenes to refine the aero testing procedures, and V8 Supercars’ technical department has done a great job with the homologation process,” said Nissan Motorsport owner/driver Todd Kelly.
“For Nissan Motorsport, it was good to have an opportunity to further refine the aero package on the Altima V8. With everything ticked off, we now look forward to getting onto the track at the SuperTest and seeing how all of the cars go.”
The new-look Fords, Holdens and Nissans will be revealed in the build up to the pre-season SuperTest at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 7-8.
