The Toyota Supra at The Bend. Image: Motography Media
Homologation team Walkinshaw TWG is optimistic its ‘B-spec’ engine will solve the reliability woes that have peppered Toyota’s maiden Supercars season.
Walkinshaw TWG and UK-based engine partner Swindon Powertrains have delivered updated valvetrain components in the lead-up to the all-important Bathurst 1000.
The first updated engine was completed in time for ride day duties in Perth on Monday before the full day of testing on The Bend’s West Circuit.
Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood shared driving duties at the South Australian venue, while Supercars representatives included engine chief Craig Hasted.
“We’re really happy to have ticked off 520km with no issues,” Walkinshaw TWG team principal Carl Faux told Speedcafe at The Bend.
“We also did 250km on Monday at the ride day, which is a terrible duty cycle for the engine, and something we’ve not been able to do for a while.
“[On Friday] we made some good progress with what we intended to do with Supercars on the fuel mapping. I think they’re happy with where we’ve ended up.”
While pleased with the testing, Faux is cautious when it comes to the big question of whether Toyota’s troubles are behind it.
Walkinshaw and Swindon had already implemented what was hoped to be a fix for valvetrain issues following a failure in testing last year.
Chaz Mostert behind the wheel. Image: Motography Media
“From an engineering point of view, all of the numbers say that we’ve made a significant step forward in this area,” he said.
“But we did thousands of kilometres in testing [ahead of the season] and when we got to go racing, other issues were highlighted.
“So am I 100 percent confident? No one in their right mind would ever say they’re 100 percent confident. You can never be that.
“Am I happy that we’ve made a significant step in the right direction by reducing load on the valvetrain. Yes, I am.”
The new specification Toyota undertook a preliminary run at Hasted’s official Supercars dyno before being installed in the Supra.
It will, however, need to head back to Brisbane for final sign-off before its competition debut at the upcoming Ipswich Super440.
Faux hopes to have two updated engines – one each for Walkinshaw TWG and customer Brad Jones Racing – in action at Ipswich.
All going to plan, that will be followed by a full rollout across the five Supras in time for the Enduro Cup opener at The Bend.
Even with the update in play, Faux admits scheduled mid-event engine changes may occur to minimise risk of failure at the Bathurst 1000.
“We’ll see how many engines we have available at the time,” he said.
“Obviously, we’ve done a few precautionary [engine changes] this year because of things that we’ve seen.
“We may have to do that again.”