BJ's Two Cents

With Holden going down without another Round win (and Bathurst being the biggest race of the year!), it seems the parity war is going to continue. Holden claims that they were disadvantaged at Bathurst in regard to the aero differences between the two makes. It’s hard to see this though when two of the fastest laps (in the 2min 6’s) done during the Practice/Qualifying periods were done by Garth Tander & Jason Richards, both in Holden’s. Maybe they were following other Holden’s on those fast laps? Maybe it’s just a case of sour worms because Holden didn’t get a Parity adjustment before the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, and then not winning the race. If it was a Holden victory would “Parity” still be an issue?

It could be worth looking at the race outcome instead; HRT – Tander’ stall/clutch problem & jump start (+10 sec penalty), Skaife’ crash at Forrest Elbow, Craig Baird in Car #2 got into an accident near race-end - DNF. GRM – Tyre problems with both cars throughout the race & Car #33 DNF. Jack Daniel’s Racing – Tyre problems, car #7 didn’t complete compulsory pad change within allocated time (+1 lap penalty). HSV DT – Car #15 DNS due to crash damage in Practice #4, Car #16 had throttle sticking problems and barely finished. Supercheap Auto Racing – Ingall & Morris were held-up late race with power steering problems, Car #67 had starter motor problems, and Matt Neal crashed out on Lap 140 - DNF. Team BOC – Car #12 crashed with Jones behind the wheel - DNF, Car #14 (probably the best Holden throughout the race) didn’t quite make the podium (5^th). PWR – Crash damaged during Practice (Friday) DNS. Rod Nash Racing – Could have finished top 5, but crashed Lap 159 - DNF. Sprint Gas Racing – Car #3 got a very convincing 2^nd place (Murph got his fastest lap on 159/161!).

So, after going through the above, it would be plain to see that there are other issues to look at before blaming “Parity” for Holden not winning the “Great Race”. I honestly thought that Holden were in with a chance this year and with Tander putting the #1 HRT car on pole it was looking very good. I do think though, that Greg Murphy proved in the dying stages of the race that a Holden can match it with a Ford aerodynamically. Considering that Murph was all over Steven Richards (FPR) going up Mountain Straight and also down Conrod Straight, he only really dropped off over the top between Reid Park and Forrest Elbow. I am guessing that aero would be more of a factor on the two straights, and Murph did get around Richo in the end, pressuring him into a mistake at The Chase after getting a good run (aero drag?) on Conrod Straight.

With the new FG Falcon’s debut next season there are claims that the shoe will be on the other foot next year. Apparently the new FG will have more aero drag than the BF it replaces, and also more than Holden’s current VE Commodore. I guess we will have to wait till next year to see what the real problem is, and if Ford continues to dominate Round wins what happens then?