Seton behind wheel for Mustang aero test

Aaron Seton, the 20-year-old son of Ford Supercars legend Glenn, drove DJR Team Penske’s Ford Mustang during its aerodynamic testing this week. 

The prototype Mustang undertook three days of straightline evaluations at Temora Airstrip in New South Wales from Wednesday, finalising preparations for its upcoming homologation.

Running at Temora followed the team’s two homologation test days at Queensland Raceway and Phillip Island last week.

While DJRTP’s regular drivers Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard completed the track work, the team elected to rest its stars for the rudimentary straightline runs.

It therefore called up Seton, who works for DJRTP as a mechanic, and is trying to forge his own career in the sport as a driver.

Aaron Seton, right, works at DJRTP as a mechanic

Seton spent 2018 racing a Mustang – in the TA2 Series – and had experience of Supercars aero work while driving the Falcon FG X at the ZB Holden’s homologation 12 months ago. 

“What it is, is a perfect opportunity for an ambitious young race driver and we’re fortunate to have one on our payroll," DJRTP managing director Ryan Story told Supercars.com.

“Aaron works for us through the week as a mechanic. He is indeed a very good mechanic and a promising young race driver.

“He’s had experience doing this before last year, so when the opportunity beckoned he jumped at it and did a very good job.”

Aaron Seton aboard his TA2 Mustang

Seton’s father Glenn is a Ford Supercars legend, having spearheaded the Falcon’s return to Supercars racing in 1993, where he won his first of two ATCC titles.

His eponymous outfit was a major rival of DJR during the 1990s, before Seton, having sold his team, joined the Queensland-based squad for a single season in 2005. 

“There’s a great story there with Seton and Ford and the rivalry between Glenn Seton Racing and Dick Johnson Racing through the 1990s of course,” said Story.

“And Glenn being the first championship winner in the V8 formula, there’s a lot of history, but Aaron stands up on his own.

“He’s well and truly his father’s son by way of his nature and certainly his talent, but he’s earned every opportunity he’s had here on his own and has done a very good job.”

Mustang ready for VCAT

The Supercars Mustang pictured during its Phillip Island test

The next time the Mustang will run is alongside the Holden Commodore ZB and Nissan Altima L33 during Supercars’ official aerodynamic testing, dubbed VCAT. 

The testing is set to take place following the Coates Hire Newcastle 500, locking in the specification of the Mustang for its race debut in 2019.

Pleased with the progress made, Story says his team is as ready as it can be to go through the process, which evaluates downforce and drag to balance the competing vehicles.

Story credited the help of Tickford Racing – which coincidentally was borne out of Glenn Seton Racing – for assisting with DJRTP’s maiden attempt at homologating a Supercar.

“It was the first time we’ve undertaken that sort of testing and evaluation as part of the homologating team,” said Story, having taken over the homologation team status from Tickford.

“It was fortunate to have the help and assistance of Tickford, who have obviously gone through it a number of times themselves, not to mention we’ve got personnel here who have been involved in homologating new cars before, which has been great.

“We effectively emulated the VCAT process and went through a series of tuning tools to understand what the numbers are that are being generated from the car, and trying to understand where things will fit when we officially undertake the VCAT in a few weeks time.

“I think we’ve got a good understanding of where we are and we’ve got a reasonable understanding of what we can do. 

“It’s not perfect, but we’re as prepared as we can be before VCAT.”