Ford boss still ‘not satisfied that parity has been reached’ with Gen3 Supercars

Gen3 Supercars parity remains an issue

Ford remains unhappy about the parity situation in the development of the Gen3 Supercars which are set to race for the first time just next month.

The Blue Oval is understood to have had concerns about how its Mustang stacks up against the Chevrolet Camaro for months now, with both engines and aerodynamics thought to be contentious issues.

Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance, has spoken to that in a call with selected media, including Speedcafe.com.

“I think the industry, the media certainly has sensed or heard bits that, as a manufacturer and aligned completely with all of our racing teams, that we are not satisfied that parity has been reached either for engine or aero,” he said.

“That goes back to some of the VCAT testing that was done, and when we left there not satisfied that parity had been achieved.

“And also, more recently, with some of the testing, comparative testing that was done on track that the acceleration of the cars down the straightaway is not equivalent.

“So, certainly are some concerns there, but we’re working together in a very transparent, collaborative way, just like we do in all other racing series around the world with the series and with Triple Eight as a competitor, as the lead [Chevrolet] homologation team, to find solutions for that.

“We were in a very similar situation in NASCAR about two months before we went racing with the NextGen cars a little over a year ago, and the industry came together in a very collaborative way where Chevy and Toyota and Ford and NASCAR and all of the racing teams rolled up our sleeves, and we shared data, and we looked at it objectively as engineers, and we found solutions and made changes to the cars.

“Less than two months later, we had a start of fantastic season and introduction of that new car and great racing through the full series.

“We approach it that same way in every racing series that we go to, and it’s no different here.

“So, while there are challenges, certainly challenges in front of us, we believe the series understands the urgency that’s required, Newcastle’s not too far away, and that we’re looking forward to a solution to be able to race with parity across both brands.”

Paritising engines is nowadays a more difficult task than it had been in the three decades of both marques being powered by 5.0-litre V8s.

Going forward, Ford is using the Coyote-derived 5.4-litre double overhead cam unit whereas the Chevrolets will continue with pushrod configuration with a 5.7-litre motor under the bonnet.

Informed sources have asserted to Speedcafe.com that the engine issue is not a deficiency in the Ford unit itself, but rather how it shifts gears and/or a mapping problem, noting the claim that the engines were equal when tested on a dynamometer by Supercars’ engine specialist, Craig Hasted.

Rushbrook, however, counters that Ford has no problem in other categories, and is not lacking capability at all.

“There’s always a lot of speculation of what’s really happening or what’s not happening, so I do think it’s important that we speak not even not just within the walls, or the discussions only with Supercars and with Triple Eight, but that more be shared transparently with the media, with the fans of exactly what is going on,” he stated.

“I think everybody knew, when we started the Gen3 project, that it was going to be a challenge to balance, to have proper parity between two very different engine architectures, and I think we’re seeing some of that play out at this point in time.

“There have been points in time where if you look at our engine and some of the advanced technologies on it with what we’re able to do with that engine on the road car, we’re not able to do the same things in the race car, on the race engine; some of those knobs and controls have been turned off. That is the frustrating part, I think, for us.

“We take that same base engine, as a Coyote-based engine, and we’re able to meet the regulations and meet the parity or the balance in other racing series around the world, so there’s certainly not a lack of capability in that engine or the team that’s developing it, so I don’t have any lack of confidence or concerns with that.

“It’s a matter of their very different architectures and the process that’s being used to balance it.

“I think similar for aero; I think we showed when we brought current car that we’re racing [Gen2 Mustang], that the people from Ford Performance developing that car are very capable to develop a fantastic race car.

“We saw that on the debut of that car, and it’s the same people that worked on the development of this body.

“So again, not worried about the confidence or capability of the team that’s developed it. It’s just a matter I think of following the process and establishing that parity and being able to go race that way.”

Asked by Speedcafe.com about Ford’s position regarding if it was interested in lap time parity rather than technical parity, and what would happen if its concerns were not addressed by the time Supercars got to Newcastle, Rushbrook was blunt.

“I think we need to be, again, transparent, collaborative, work together to find solutions,” he said.

“It is hard to say that you want parity based upon lap time because you can achieve the speed in different ways, and then you can have variability as you go from track to track.

“So, I think we do need to address it at the fundamentals.

“I won’t answer the second part of that question, because our focus right now is working collaboratively to solve the issues so that we can all go racing with parity in five weeks.”

Keyword: Ford boss still ‘not satisfied that parity has been reached’ with Gen3 Supercars

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Here's How The Ford Ranger Raptor's Fox Shocks Make It A Great Off-Roader

There are multiple drive modes, and each one tweaks the dampers for different purpose.

View more: Here's How The Ford Ranger Raptor's Fox Shocks Make It A Great Off-Roader

Crawford moves to DAMS, Hadjar and Marti join Campos

Isack Hadjar (FRA) Red Bull Junior Driver. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Thursday 21st September 2023. Suzuka, Japan. Jak Crawford will move to DAMS for the 2024 Formula 2 season while Red Bull juniors Isack Hadjar and Pepe Marti will compete for Campos. Crawford finished ...

View more: Crawford moves to DAMS, Hadjar and Marti join Campos

Ford Robbed Us Of The Old Four-Door Ranger Because It Wanted To Sell Explorers

Photo: Ford By definition, a big truck like a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado struggles to be small. Even in its smallest, most trucky configuration — a two-door single cab — a full-size truck is relatively large and comes with a sizable bed for hauling cargo. But a small ...

View more: Ford Robbed Us Of The Old Four-Door Ranger Because It Wanted To Sell Explorers

Ford loses nearly 400 participants from its EV dealer program

After asking its dealers to join it “on an epic journey of sustainable expansion,” Ford revealed over two-thirds of its dealers joined almost a year ago. However, close to 400 dealers have dropped out of the program since then. Ford asked its dealership network to become a part of ...

View more: Ford loses nearly 400 participants from its EV dealer program

Planned Three-Year Cruise Canceled At The Last Minute Because The Company Couldn't Afford To Buy A Ship

Image: GreenOak (Shutterstock) A cruise that was set to sail around the world for three years has been abruptly canceled at the last minute. The reason? The company behind the cruise couldn’t afford to buy a ship in time, as CNN reports. Life at Sea Cruises, a division of ...

View more: Planned Three-Year Cruise Canceled At The Last Minute Because The Company Couldn't Afford To Buy A Ship

Volkswagen Is Developing Affordable EVs, But Only For China

24 May 2023, Saxony, Zwickau: A model of the new-generation ID.3 is assembled at Volkswagen’s plant in Zwickau. Following the start of production in 2019, the vehicle has now received a facelift as part of the model mint. Image: Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance (Getty Images) After Chinese automaker BYD dethroned ...

View more: Volkswagen Is Developing Affordable EVs, But Only For China

This 2024 Ford Mustang GT Only Survived 16 Miles Before Being Crashed

There's heavy damage on the rear of the car, but the 5.0-liter V8 is listed as still running.

View more: This 2024 Ford Mustang GT Only Survived 16 Miles Before Being Crashed

Let This Lancia Stratos Replica Be Your Affordable Key To Rally Greatness

This auction is a realistic way to have a street-legal rally icon parked in your driveway.

View more: Let This Lancia Stratos Replica Be Your Affordable Key To Rally Greatness

At $27,500, Is This 2008 Ford F450 Super Duty A Super Big Deal?

Can you tow with a Ford Everest Wildtrak?

Supercars support categories crown new champions

1962 Ford Falcon | Old Car

Ford patents inflatable bumpers for its large SUVs & pickups

Ford Figo: Weird noise when the ignition is on worries me

Ford Taurus, Dodge Caravan Live Again In 1995 Detroit Auto Show Retro Video

Next-gen Ford Mustang – The competitors at R1.5 million

Kostecki wins Supercars Championship

At $9,000, Would This 1976 Ford Granada Ghia Put You Back In Black?

2.0L Bi-Turbo or 3.0L V6 – The most popular engine for the Ford Ranger Wildtrak in South Africa

Ford Mustang GT3 Looks Fast, Sounds Like Thunder In Track Test Video

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel