Aero testing begins for V8SC manufacturers, Falcon gets a facelift
V8 Supercars' manufacturers are getting prepared for what is sure to be a riveting 2015 season.
Ford Falcon FG X
Prodrive
Ahead of the upcoming February ‘SuperTest’, two manufacturers are updating their aerodynamic packages while another is homologating an entirely new race car.
With the official test sessions in Sydney only weeks away, manufacturers are getting a head start on making sure they’ve got the car they want all shaped up for 2015.
Holden and Nissan working hard on updates
Teams representing both Holden and Nissan are keen on updating the respective Commodore VF and Altima during the fourth successive pre-season homologation test. With Nick Percat behind the wheel of the Holden and Todd Kelly in the Nissan, the control chassis (a New Gen Ford Falcon prototype used in all previous aero testing) will be driven by Todd Hazelwood, the 19-year old Australian V8 Supercar Dunlop Series driver from Adelaide.
The Falcon gets a facelift
For Ford, they’re hard at work in homologating a new race car, the FG X Falcon.
Although the conversion from last year’s FG II to the new FG X doesn’t require a redesigned chassis, it will require new exterior panels and aerodynamic appendages – which require the approval of V8 Supercars.
With Mark Winterbottom, David Reynolds and Cameron Waters taking up driving duties for Ford during testing, Prodrive Racing Australia team manager, Chris O’Toole, will also be present as the manufacturer’s homologation representative.
Work on the race cars which will appear at the Sydney.com SuperTest on February 7-8 can only begin once each manufacturer’s desired changes are approved by V8 Supercars.
Separate but equal
Despite the fact that the separate Holden teams race against each other, all will be required to accept the new homologated design for the Commodore.
For Ford, however, it’s a bit of a special case.
Because of the huge changes inherent in creating the new car, there may in fact be two separate models running in 2015 until all of the FG X’s are complete.
As such, Prodrive is expected to run at least two of the new FG X’s at the Clipsal 500 for Winterbottom and Mostert along with the newly formed Dick Johnson Racing (DJR)/Team Penske who will be fielding one for returning champion, Marcos Ambrose.
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