Supercars 2023: Supercars launches an immediate parity review between the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro

It has been the hot topic all year and now Supercars has acknowledged there is a parity problem after announcing results had triggered a parity review after the Darwin Triple Crown.

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 18: (EDITORS NOTE: A polarising filter was used for this image.) Shane van Gisbergen driver of the #97 Red Bull Ampol Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 during the Betr Darwin Triple Crown, part of the 2023 Supercars Championship Series at Hidden Valley Raceway on June 18, 2023 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Supercars has launched an immediate review into parity between the Ford Mustang and the Camaro after official alarm bells were triggered by Chevrolet’s ongoing dominance in Darwin.

As the Blue Oval’s winless start to the Gen3 era continued at Hidden Valley Raceway at the weekend, the series announced on Wednesday it would begin an official parity investigation between the rival models after the threshold to trigger a review had been hit.

The announcement came after Ford team bosses united to call on Supercars to make a parity adjustment to allow the Gen3 Mustang to “compete on an even playing field” after another Camaro clean sweep at the Darwin Triple Crown at the weekend.

Supercars said the threshold to trigger a parity review needed to be achieved consistently across either five consecutive races or five of eight championship races.

The threshold was triggered following the final race in Darwin.

The review announcement has not yet outlined any potential parity adjustments for the next round in Townsville, but acknowledges the issue which needs to be addressed.

Broc Feeney celebrates his win in Darwin. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Supercars chief executive Shane Howard said the series would now work with the Ford and General Motors homologation teams – Dick Johnson Racing and Triple Eight – to determine the recommendations for potential a parity adjustment.

“The parity review system has been a foundation of the parity assessment throughout the championship over many years,” Howard said.

“Now that review has been triggered, we have commenced the nominated process.

“Supercars have met and are working with both homologation teams to formulate appropriate recommendations for a parity adjustment.”

Supercars explained its parity review system was “designed to identify and evaluate any imbalances among the competing models” and worked using the analysis of lap times across a number of races to “determine whether a disparity exists”.

While the recent focus had been on engine parity, aero has emerged as an area of concern for the Ford teams.

The spotlight on parity intensified after Ford’s winless run continued as Chevrolet claimed three wins and eight of the weekend’s nine podium places at Hidden Valley.

DJR veteran Will Davison was the only Ford driver to finish on the podium in Darwin when he took third on Saturday.

Cam Waters had been in a strong position to break through for Ford’s first chequered flag after grabbing pole on Saturday before his car erupted into flames due to a loose fuel fitting early in the race.

Chevrolet’s dominance has sparked concerns from the Supercars brass. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Waters is the only Ford driver to have a win to his name this year, but he was awarded the victory after Triple Eight’s disqualification from the opening race in Newcastle.

There had been more promising signs the Fords might mount a comeback in Darwin on Friday when Mustangs were top three fastest cars in final practice, followed by Waters’ strong qualifying on Saturday.

But that hope was quickly erased on Sunday when Camaros occupied the top nine spots in Sunday’s first race and six of the top 10 in the final race.

Ford Performance said it would work to achieve a parity adjustment outcome with Supercars for the “good of the sport and the fans.”

“Ford and its homologation team Dick Johnson Racing are working with the Supercars technical department following the triggering of the parity review system, and will follow the process to ensure an appropriate parity adjustment is achieved for the good of the sport and the fans,” a spokesperson said.

Originally published as Supercars 2023: Supercars launches an immediate parity review between the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro