New aero package on track at pre-season test

Monday’s pre-season test day at Queensland Raceway marks first key opportunity for teams and drivers to adapt to the new-for-2024 aerodynamics package.

Minor modifications have been made to both the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro following an historic mission to the United States to secure aero parity.

In December, a Mustang and Camaro were run through the world-class Windshear facility in a Supercars-first exercise.

Further testing was complete for the purpose of achieving a more aesthetically-pleasing aero package for the new season, which begins in Bathurst on February 23-25.

The outcomes led to modifications to both cars, with the new aero packages hitting the track on all eight Queensland-based teams’ cars at Queensland Raceway on Monday.

Notable changes to the Mustang include a revised front end, with the splitter rounded and wheel arch packers removed. The side skirt has a new leading edge packer, while the trailing edge is now smaller. 

With regards to the rear of the Ford, there is a new deckled spoiler, while rear wing has also been moved forward, with the endplate angled and gurney flap removed.

For the Camaro, the rear wing has been widened and the pillars moved rearward, and there are new mounts. while the front splitter has also been re-profiled.

In all, the modifications have slightly increased front downforce in both cars, with more rear downforce added to ensure the cars are balanced.

“This is the first true test for the teams to validate the changes that were made,” Supercars General Manager of Motorsport Tim Edwards told Supercars.com.

“Two key things were achieved at Windshear — one was taking away the sensitivity of the front of the car when it was in close proximity to the ground. That should give the drivers a more consistent feel with the aerodynamics.

“The other thing is the front changes led to the downforce number creeping up slightly. It’s nowhere near the levels of Car of the Future, but slightly more than last year.

“The drivers may feel they have more grip because they’ve got more downforce, but it’ll be more consistent. Every time they put their foot on the brake pedal, it won’t shift the aero balance as much as last year.

“To keep the same balance between front and rear, which is critical, we had to increase rear downforce slightly to keep the same percentage balance front to rear.”

Testing continues at Queensland Raceway, with Triple Eight Race Engineering on track in its new Red Bull Ampol Racing livery.

Matt Stone Racing and PremiAir Nulon Racing are testing in black liveries ahead of their launches on February 9 and February 14 respectively. The Shell V-Power Racing Team, meanwhile, is on track in its 2023 livery.

Testing will continue for southern teams at Winton Motor Raceway this week ahead of the Thrifty Bathurst 500. Tickets for the event are on sale now.