SUPERCARS’ new parity system has been triggered into action after just three rounds.
V8 Sleuth sources have confirmed that a technical parity investigation has been triggered by both the Camaro and Supra, amid Ford’s flying start to the season.
Through nine races, seven have been won by Ford versus one each for Chevrolet and Toyota.
The podium counts read Ford 22, Toyota four, Chevrolet one.
V8 Sleuth broke the news on Friday that General Motors had moved to design parts including updated rear wing endplates in anticipation of the parity trigger being hit in Taupō.
The commencement of a parity adjustment process does not necessarily mean a tweak will be made, however.
Per the rules, chief motorsport officer Tim Edwards must now consult with the homologation teams (Triple Eight/Ford, Team 18/Chevrolet, Walkinshaw TWG Racing/Toyota) and may do any of the following:
Consult with category technical director Perry Kapper, the technical working group, or other experts;
Arrange test days to evaluate any proposed changes;
Conduct further validation/correlation work away from the track;
Recommend either a parity adjustment be made or not be made.
Whether such work will be able to be performed while the category is overseas – i.e. before next week’s Christchurch Super440 – is not yet clear.
Either way, the fact that an investigation has been triggered so soon has raised eyebrows, given it was just four months ago that Supercars completed high-level aero testing at the Windshear wind tunnel after which all parties spruiked the reaching of parity.
Because after all, Supercars is a formula based on technical parity, not sporting parity (e.g. Balance of Performance).
Chevrolet did however question the Centre of Gravity testing process which took place in February shortly prior to Round 1.
More thorough engine work is set to occur later in the year too, once Toyota has refined its package.
Chevrolet dominated the first two seasons of the Gen3 era before Ford claimed both the major prizes (the championship and Bathurst 1000) in 2025.
The Blue Oval has since welcomed powerhouse Triple Eight into its fold; the Mustang is now the most represented car in the field, accounting for 11 of the 24 full-time entries.