Gen3 centre of gravity changes explained
The centre of gravity weight (CoG) measures taken with the new Gen3 cars is just six per cent relative to the 2019 changes.
Supercars conducted a CoG test with nine different cars at Tickford Racing’s Campbellfield headquarters earlier this month.
A difference of just 2.3mm in CoG was found between the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang.
All 14 Camaros will compete with redistributed weight in a move designed to raise their centre of gravity to match that of the Mustangs.
The changes will be introduced next weekend at the Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint.
A total of 4.97kg of ballast will be redistributed to the rear of the Camaros, with Supercars revealing images of said changes today.
The adjustment will be made on the bar just behind the fuel cell of the Camaro.
The changes are in line with the adjustments seen on the Gen2 Ford Mustang in 2019.
The changes do not affect the overall 1335kg minimum weight for each car — 4.97kg of ballast is simply being moved to the rear of the Camaro.
“To be clear, this isn’t adding a new 4.97kg — this is redistributing existing ballast in the car,” Supercars Head of Motorsport Adrian Burgess explained to Supercars.com.
“It’s not a major adjustment by any means, it’s a small number — but this is a parity series.
“In comparison, 10kg of fuel is far more powerful than the adjustment we’ve just made for the CoG.”
Such was the small difference between the cars going into the test, that the Gen3 changes equate to six per cent (1.8kg) of the 28kg ballast total from the 2019 changes.
Burgess reiterated that while it is a small number, Supercars was determined to uphold the championship’s technical parity formula.
“Coming into this, we knew the cars were already very close,” Burgess added.
“We did the test at Tickford, and there was 2.3mm difference in CoG.
“In 2019, we needed to put 28kg of weight as high as we could get it on the roof bar of the Mustang.
“On this occasion, if we needed to put weight in the same place, it would only be 1.8kg.
“It’s better for the teams to put the weight further back, because that will bring the front axle weights closer together.”
“We can draw a line on it now and move on and look ahead to the next race.”
The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint on April 28-30.
Erebus Motorsport Camaro driver Brodie Kostecki leads Walkinshaw Andretti United Ford star Chaz Mostert by 32 points.
Reigning champion, Red Bull Ampol Camaro driver Shane van Gisbergen, is 86 points from the lead in third.
Tickets are available on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.
