Parity Dispute and On-Track Drama Define Contentious Great Race
The build-up to the latest Great Race was marred by political tension as Ford aggressively sought modifications to its V8 engine, ultimately culminating in a dramatic finish at Bathurst. A contentious parity debate, fueled by last-minute barometric testing revealing a slight performance deficit for Ford compared to General Motors (GM) engines at Bathurst’s altitude, dominated headlines leading up to the race.
Ford’s Push for Engine Adjustments Meets Resistance
The proposed changes centered around a switch to a 51-millimeter restrictor, a modification that required unanimous approval from all teams. However, GM teams predictably refused to consent, leaving Supercars officials in a difficult position. This impasse deeply frustrated Ford and its homologation team, Dick Johnson Racing (DJR), prompting a protest to Motorsport Australia – a challenge that proved unsuccessful.
Weather and On-Track Incidents Shift the Race Dynamic
Ultimately, rain on Sunday altered the competitive landscape, diminishing the impact of the parity debate as several leading Ford contenders faltered. Despite the challenges, a Ford ultimately secured victory, with the Matt Payne/Garth Tander entry overcoming a 18th-place start. Their win, however, was significantly influenced by a late-race collision between Erebus rookie Cooper Murray and fellow Camaro driver James Golding.
Contact and Controversy Decide the Podium
The incident demoted Murray from a potential winning position to fourth place, while Golding, initially crossing the finish line first, was penalized five seconds, elevating Payne and Tander to the top spot. The outcome drew sharp criticism from a prominent figure within the sport, who expressed dissatisfaction with Ford and DJR’s conduct throughout the Bathurst week.
“Fourth at Bathurst is nothing to sneeze at, but Cooper putting us in a position to win – genuinely win – then to get taken out by another GM, it’s a bit upsetting to let Ford win,” the source stated. “Especially with all Ford’s bullshit this weekend, although the karma train came and got some of those Ford people that were whinging.”
The individual further lamented the overall atmosphere, stating, “I don’t want to speak ill of anything, but the whole situation has been so off putting. At the start of [Sunday], I didn’t want to do the race, because they ruined the race for everyone with their antics and their bullshit and their statements about stuff that’s not true.”
Questions Raised Over Supercars Testing Methodology
Concerns were also raised regarding the accuracy of the data presented by Supercars. According to one analysis, “The Supercars dyno test regarding atmospheric pressure was noted as not complete and stated so, they never performed a test that included the exhaust with a controlled pressure.”
This observation aligns with documentation from Supercars, which identified the exhaust barometric emulation and the condition of engines used in testing – two new GM units and two used Ford engines – as “areas of refinement.” The documentation explicitly stated: “Whilst results displayed an inequivalent response to the low barometric pressure, elements for refinement within the process and methodology were noted.” Specific areas for improvement included finalizing the exhaust barometric emulation and addressing limitations in engine pool availability.
Erebus Team Shows Promise Despite Disappointment
Despite the controversial finish, the Erebus team demonstrated strong on-track performance throughout the weekend, particularly with the #99 Camaro driven by Murray and Jobe Stewart. The car remained competitive in both dry and wet conditions and appeared poised for victory before the late-race contact.
The team’s performance left the source incredibly proud, despite the missed opportunity. “It was a positive day for the team, no matter the outcome,” they said. “We all got around Cooper at the end of the race and said we are 100 per cent proud of you. He’s so early in his career, it was the first time he was a main driver at Bathurst, and he nearly won.”
Looking ahead, the source expressed immense confidence in Murray’s potential, drawing parallels to legendary driver Peter Brock. “He can genuinely target 10 Bathursts, like a Peter Brock. He’s 23 years of age, the sky is the limit for him. I just want him to be proud and not feel like he let the team down. I’m sure he does feel that way, but he hasn’t at all.”
