True parity: TEGA recommends equal undertrays
16/7/2000 21:24 (Jason Whittaker) - The Board of the Touring Car Entrants Group (TEGA) have bowed to mounting pressure and announced its intentions to implement a “common” undertray to the Ford and Holden Supercars in the continual debate over parity.
The board has recommended that the length of the Holden undertray be made equal to that of their Ford counterparts, and that the changes be made immediately in time for the next round of the championship at Oran Park at the end of the month.
The changes should, in effect, provide each marque with equal aerodynamic force.
The decision comes after a TEGA-sponsored test day at Queensland Raceway last week, where the performance of the Fords was examined in extensive tests – including Mark Larkham’s Mitre 10 Falcon testing with a Holden-spec aero package.
It was from this testing session that TEGA deemed that last month’s Performance Review Committee-implemented changes – a 100mm shorter undertray on the Commodores – had not done enough to level the V8 Supercar playing field.
"It is our intention to ensure that both the Ford and Holden have an equal opportunity to win races and the introduction of a TEGA undertray is the first step in that program,” AVESCO and TEGA CEO, Wayne Cattach, said.
"In addition, the Board have made a commitment to conduct further downforce aerodynamic testing over the next two months, which may result in further changes," he said.
The Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) is yet to approve the move – a necessary step in implementing the changes prior to the Oran Park round.
Review of the parity situation will continue throughout the year, including a final review before the FAI 1000, where adjustments for that event are expected.
Implementing a “common” front undertray could be the first step in a complete technical equalisation process, which is believed to be the favoured method of increasing parity within the formula. A success-based weight penalty system is also being considered for next season.
Today, the Holden camp again highlighted their continual dominance of the category, with Jason Bargwanna breaking Ford’s record for General Motors, for the most consecutive wins.
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