Dunlop open to new Gen3 Supercars tyre

Supercars debuted its new technical platform in Newcastle final weekend with a full discipline of low-downforce Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros doing door-to-door battle for the primary time.

It was due to this fact the primary correct check for the raceability of the brand new laws, with the reduce in downforce focused particularly at eliminating points with soiled air.

Creeping downforce ranges on the previous-generation automobiles made it laborious to observe with out overheating the entrance tyres.

Nevertheless whereas there’s now much less soiled air, driver suggestions from Newcastle indicated that the drop in downforce has led to its personal tyre overheating points as a result of automobiles transferring round extra.

That is left a query mark over any improved raceability of the brand new platform.

Because it stands Supercars is constant with the identical suite of Dunlop management tyres for its dry climate working with an equivalent tremendous tender, tender and laborious tyre as to what was used for Gen3.

The one main change is a brand new, extra aggressive moist tyre.

That might change sooner or later, although, with Dunlop’s Supercars boss Kevin Fitzsimmons open to growing new compounds if that is what the class wants.

“We have to get some extra races below out belt after which sit again and have a critical take a look at it, regardless of the case could also be,” stated Fitzsimmons.

“In the meanwhile, the best way we did the event with the [Gen3] prototypes, it was essential to get methods checks and the automobiles developed, versus distracting that programme with attempting to develop a tyre as effectively, and complicated the scenario.

“You go along with a recognized amount after which we’ll make changes as we transfer ahead.

“It isn’t as straightforward factor. These automobiles are nonetheless large and heavy and have plenty of horsepower. Now that they transfer round a bit extra that generates heats.

“It is a studying course of for everyone, proper throughout the class. We have simply bought to continue to learn. No less than for a number of races with various kinds of circuits. The [Australian GP] can be totally different once more, quick and flowing. Then we go to Perth and [Tasmania], completely totally different once more. Large brake hundreds in Tassie and Perth is mainly a high-speed circuit.

“By the point we get to Perth I am all the way down to the final two race conferences value of manufacturing. We will begin a growth course of if that is the trail [Supercars wants] to go down.

“We’ll wait and see. It is a work in course of.”

For the primary time this yr Supercars will use the tender compound rubber for the Bathurst 1000, which has historically taken place on laborious tyres.

That is because of a prediction of decrease loading throughout the highest of Mount Panorama as a result of drop in downforce.

When requested if Dunlop continues to be assured in that call having now seen the tender compound in aggressive motion, Fitzsimmons stated: “Yeah, the development is identical between the tender and the laborious. At 200 km/h there’s nonetheless important drop in downforce, so the general vertical load on the automobile can be much less.

“If we went to the laborious tyre and we had a extremely cool day and everyone’s automobile is an understeering canine, that will not be an excellent factor. If the tyres are a problem and we offer the grip, it’s going to convey much more technique into it. Do you roll the cube and do and additional cease or regardless of the case could also be?

“It will throw curveballs for everyone. However so far as the compound goes, I am fantastic with it.”