It's Official: New V8's Signed Off

V8 Supercars have approved the look of the four marques to take theirplace on the V8 Supercar grid after six days of intensive aerodynamic testingand evaluation to determine the bodywork and aerodynamic specification of eachof the vehicles.

The Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon, Nissan Altima and Mercedes Benz AMGE63 have been sanctioned for racing following the critical testing period. Allfour models now have the closest aerodynamic parity of any makes in the historyof the sport.

Nissan Motorsport, Erebus Racing, Ford Performance Racing, Holden RacingTeam and Red Bull Racing Australia took part in the testing which concludedwith the declaration of aerodynamic parity – meaning a level playing field. Thetesting took place at the Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale inconjunction with the Australian Defence Force. 

The cars, which will be publicly unveiled in the next 10 days, weresubject to rigorous testing using the latest technology to measure thecomparative downforce and drag of each model.

The four models are within half a per cent of each other in terms ofrelative aerodynamic efficiency.

“This has been an enormous project which all of the V8 Supercarstechnical department are very proud of the outcomes,” V8 Supercars CommissionChairman Mark Skaife said.

“It was the most technically demanding project we have ever undertaken,especially when you consider the different body shapes and designcharacteristics of each of the cars.

The testing was conducted over six days, spanning more than 4500kms ofdriving.

All four of the vehicle bodies and aero kits are now approved forcompetition, and are within 2kg of overall downforce and 2kg of drag of eachother.

“To have all of the 2013 vehicles within 2kg, which is 0.56%, of totaldownforce is a remarkable achievement.

“The results of these tests will facilitate the most fair and equitablecompetition we have ever seen.  I can’t wait to see our new cars on the startinggrid at the Clipsal 500 later this month.

“Fans will see the most hotly contested Championship in years based onthe results of these tests.”

Skaife said the testing was conducted with few unexpected issues andwith the full support of the teams, even in light of their intense preparationsfor a critical 2013 season commencement.

“All of the Teams, representing the car manufacturers, should becommended for their effort and cooperation in achieving these outcomes with V8Supercars,” he said.

“FPR, Nissan Motorsport, Erebus Motorsport, HRT and Triple Eight RaceEngineering were all involved in the aero testing and have worked incrediblyhard to ensure the CotF vehicles would be ready for racing in 2013.

“V8 Supercars would also like to acknowledge the support of theDepartment of Defence, in particular Squadron Leader Stuart Wheel, for the useof their facilities and the huge effort put in by his staff at the RoyalAustralian Air Force Base East Sale to conduct these tests over the last 12months.”

V8 Supercar CEO David Malone said the completion of aerodynamic testingwas a step towards the milestone season and the introduction of the CotF, andtwo new manufacturers.

“It’s the most exciting season for many years given the four models, 28brand new V8 Supercars and an entire field built for closer, more excitingracing,” Mr Malone said.

“This is the culmination of five years of hard work, intensive planningand preparation to have these new cars on the grid as the sport enters the newera.”

The first time the public will see all four models together will be atthe compulsory pre-season V8 Supercar test day at Sydney Motorsport Park onFebruary 16. The first race between the four is two weeks later at theblockbuster Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.