Supercars engine fires immediate emergency conferences
The problems have occurred on Ford Mustangs from completely different groups, with flames engulfing James Courtney’s Tickford machine in Race 3 after Nick Percat’s Walkinshaw Andretti United Ford was additionally caught hearth early in yesterday’s second race of the Albert Park weekend.
The supply of the fires is but to be decided, with WAU left satisfied the issue on Percat’s automotive was electrical in nature, and associated to a management sensor.
Supercars wasn’t satisfied by that nonetheless and issued a directive to groups immediately suggesting that the ‘BF1 TPMS ECU’, which is a part of the tyre strain monitoring programs, wasn’t responsible.
As a substitute the collection warned groups to verify oil ranges and drain catch cans earlier than immediately’s race – one thing that did not forestall the Courtney hearth.
The second hearth has now sparked pressure within the paddock, with considerations over driver security.
Within the wake of the fireplace the Tickford storage was crammed with senior technical personnel from nearly all rival groups, in addition to the likes of Supercars Head of Motorsport Adrian Burgess and engine specialist Craig Hasted.
Members of the Technical Working Group have since met to debate the difficulty.
Tickford CEO Tim Edwards stopped wanting placing a stable concept ahead, besides to say that it wasn’t associated to the oil tank or catch can and that it did really feel prefer it was triggered by {an electrical} concern.
“None by any means,” he replied when requested if there have been any clues as to what occurred.
Nick Percat, Walkinshaw Andretti United, Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Edge Photographics
“Loads of theories, all people’s acquired theories. It is clearly the identical factor that occurred to Nick’s automotive.
“We checked the catch can earlier than the race and there was nothing within the catch can.
“I believe the supply of it has come from {the electrical} however we do not know.”
Whereas Courtney is out of tomorrow’s race, Edwards did admit that he’s involved over placing his different three drivers again in automobiles that would feasibly endure the identical concern.
“Sure,” he mentioned when requested if involved over driver security.
“Anyway, the Technical Working Group are assembly in the intervening time. We’re letting all of the sensible individuals focus on it.”
As for Courtney’s automotive being parked for the weekend, Edwards mentioned: “We do not have half the spares to repair it.
“We’ll wash it and put it on a flat mattress and take it to the manufacturing unit.”
Burgess declined to touch upon the matter when approached by Autosport, however Supercars has now issued an announcement to answer the matter.
“Supercars, Motorsport Australia and groups are dedicated to investigating the causes of the incidents in pit lane and dealing collectively on any needed measures that must be made shifting ahead,” a Supercars spokesperson mentioned.
James Courtney, Tickford Racing, Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Edge Photographics
“It’s of our highest precedence to make sure all drivers, groups, and spectators are in a position to take pleasure in Supercars occasions in a protected and safe surroundings.
“The groups and hearth marshals demonstrated excellent professionalism and fast considering of their response to the incidents over current days.
“These incidents spotlight the vital function that volunteer marshals play in guaranteeing the protection of everybody concerned.
“The incidents additionally showcased the robust sense of camaraderie and help throughout the racing group, as groups rallied round one another no matter whose automotive was affected.
“We’re working by means of this matter, additional updates can be offered as quickly as they grow to be out there.”
