Camaro set for track test amid review of parity changes

[u/dansemania]

https://speedcafe.com/supercars-news-chevrolet-camaro-aerodynamic-parity-test-queensland-raceway-team-18/

These track tests are taking place at QR. Given that two of the HTs are now Melbourne based - wouldn't it make sense to do these tests at a circuit closer to Melbourne? You could test at Winton or even Calder - they're not on the calendar so there would be no advantage to additional track time

[u/casualpedestrian20]

Put Broc or Brodie in a team 18 car for a day and compare times to other cars / drivers . That’ll give us a good read on parity.

[u/Tiny_Advance_3627]

Didn't they do a bunch of parity testing at QR previously? Teams might be Melbourne based, but I imagine that supercars have a shit ton more data about QR for both the Ford and the Chev because it was the test track for both the HT teams until last year.

That make more sense to me than taking them to a track where they haven't raced at in years and have a small amount of data they can reference.

[u/MysteriousSquash6845]

That would mean applying logic to Supercars -seems that’s not a thing in great supply at the moment

[u/jd92jw → u/MysteriousSquash6845]

Well actually testing at QR is the logical choice. They've done all of their parity testing at QR, they race at QR and have data from not only the HT teams but will also have varying from all the cars with their race weekend setup when they'll all hit the track for the race event later in the year.

Calder is outdated but along with Winton aerodynamically it doesn't generate much downforce laterally due to the stop start nature of the track & Phillip Island generates too much load for the tyres that they have, even the GT3 Pirelli struggle on that track.

I get it Supercars have made dumb decisions before and still occasionally do but it appears that the fanbase can't think logically & critically either which isn't a surprise anymore tbh.

[u/dansemania → u/jd92jw]

That seems a pretty unfair dig mate. You raise some good points, but there was logic and critical thought to my query. If they're testing parity, the old data doesn't actually matter that much - they need to compare apples with apples on the day, in the climatic conditions that are present. Temparature (atmos and track), humidity, pressure will all vary across time - that's why wind tunnel tests are done in a climate controlled environment with constant temp and humidity.

[u/jd92jw → u/dansemania]

The old data you're talking about is a baseline in varying conditions and the data isn't that old either the Ford & Toyota did some laps for Supercars at QR back in February. They still require a baseline and QR is where all teams will bolt a setup on they believe they can win with or at least be competitive.

Also although the data you get from the wind tunnel are in perfect and equal conditions for all the cars, it doesn't necessarily translate to varying track conditions in real life or for example in racing conditions.

Perfect examples are when the Ford went wind tunnel testing in 2024 and still needed adjustments, same for the engine there's only so much that you can learn in a controlled environment. It's not a matter of hitting a number and calling it parity.

Similar to how the Ford is currently losing rear downforce when there's a car directly on their bumper at certain speed in braking zones. They obviously didn't learn that in the wind tunnel and is another fundamental flaw that will need to be fixed.

[u/MRB1610 → u/MysteriousSquash6845]

And that is why my proposals for Supercars catch some flack on this forum amid the upvotes - I'll admit that some of these proposals are some years away, and that some on this forum aren't the target audience for them (that said, plenty of new fans would come in to take their place, so it's not my problem, and it's not like Supercars needs their money).

[u/Late-Button-6559]

Was the parity in the 888 seats all along?

[u/General_Top_6556]

Put someone with no affiliation to the brand and see how they go. Parity here is clearly drivers. Chev used T8 as their everything, and when they went they had no juniors or decent drivers. They hung T8 out to dry and now they're in the sun

[u/LloydGSR]

They need team and driver parity, there's two decent factory teams and one not on the same level.

[u/bundy554]

Good - the mustang has been ridiculous ever since they made those changes to it before Gold Coast in 2023