Delay on trays mean aero disparity for OP
27/7/2000 18:13 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) - The all-important undertrays of the Ford and Holden Supercars will remain disparate at Oran Park this weekend despite the recent ruling to implement a “common” tray – at least until more can be manufactured.
Falcon campaigners will continue to race with their original aero kit at Oran Park due to delays in the manufacture of the new “common” tray. With each team requiring at least three “units,” time constraints meant implementation for Oran Park simply wasn’t possible.
The new equalisation move – which will see, in effect, both the Fords and Holdens run with equal downforce – was to be implemented this weekend, but the delay means the Ford teams won’t receive the spoilers until the eve of the next round at Calder Park in three weeks time.
In the lead-up to Oran Park proceedings this weekend, many Ford teams have reiterated the need for the common undertray in the continual debate over formula parity.
"The fact that Winton was the first time Holden haven’t been 1-2 all year shows how sad it must be for the fans," Shell Helix charger, Paul Radisich, said.
"The common undertray is a step in the right direction. We will know a lot more when we get to try them out and evaluate them but it is heading the right way as far as evening things up goes," he said.
John Bowe, the strongest and most vocal advocate for an “equal” tray, agrees.
"It is a positive move and will be interesting to see what effect it has on the cars," Bowe said.
"This is the start of a plan to make both marques mechanically equal. I think this will be good for the category and it is really pleasing to see both Ford and Holden agreeing on the matter.”
"Holden have had the upper hand for too long and I am looking forward to doing battle with them on an equal footing. In the interim we will still be giving it our best shot," he said.
While complete mechanical and technical equality won’t be seen until next year, at the earliest, Radisich says the reverse grid format – which will be seen for the first time in a sprint race this weekend – is a positive step in the interim.
“Everyone is sick to death of hearing about the parity issue and while that problem will be fixed, it’s going to take time,” Radisich said.
“We don’t have the luxury at the moment, we need to do something now to spice up the racing and keep it interesting, and a reverse grid is an excellent way of doing that,” he said.
Reverse grid – which will see the top six finishers in race one start in reverse order for race two – will also be seen at the Calder Park and Sandown Raceway meetings.
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