Supercars completes Gen3 VCAT
Supercars has taken another step closer to Gen3’s racing debut with the completion of this week’s VCAT.
A VCAT (Vehicle Control Aerodynamic Testing) was carried out on the Gen3 Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro prototypes.
The VCAT was held at Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba from Monday to Friday.
It was the most comprehensive aero testing yet for the Gen3 cars.
In June, a preliminary VCAT was held at the same venue prior to the release of the new-look Mustang.
The new Mustang was officially revealed at last month’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
On both occasions, Supercars staff were joined by members of homologation teams Triple Eight and Dick Johnson Racing at Wellcamp.
At Wellcamp, the new Mustang and Camaro were benchmarked for aerodynamic parity.
The new VCAT method has been devised by D2H Advanced Technologies.
Across the five days, the cars were tested using an active ride-height control system, which ensured performance parity.
Porsche Carrera Cup Australia driver Bayley Hall and Supercars’ Safety Car driver Jason Routley drove the two cars.
Staff arrived at Wellcamp as early as 4:00am each morning to make use of less windy conditions.
The findings will help Supercars put the new cars on equal aerodynamic footing.
The cars have also been taken around Australia to several different circuits.
“It’s been a big week of long days but we’re happy with the direction we’ve found,” Supercars Head of Motorsport Adrian Burgess told Supercars.com.
“It was a very thorough process, with over 1600 kilometres of running conducted to reach a parity outcome.
“Ultimately it’s about trying to achieve parity and close racing.
“Supercars and the two homologation teams are working hard and closely together.
“We’ve gone through all the processes and requirements, and we’ll now have a full debrief.”
Further work will now be undertaken at Supercars’ technical centre, with the cars to be scanned and measured.
Test dates for all Supercars teams, using their own new cars, will be confirmed in due course.
The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will commence with the Newcastle 500 from 10-12 March, 2023.
Tickets for the Newcastle event, the first of the Gen3 era, are on sale now through Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.
The 2022 Repco Supercars Championship will conclude on the Adelaide streets in December.
