Triple Eight Race Engineering made history today shaking down the first-ever complete Car of the Future (COTF) V8 Supercar in a closed session at the Holden Driving Centre in Queensland.
Reigning champion Jamie Whincup took to the track for a number of installation laps, ahead of its first official test session at Queensland Raceway next week.
The chassis is the first to be completed by any of the teams in readiness for the introduction of the COTF specifications in 2013.
Over 1400 man hours have been dedicated to the design and build process and the chassis is the first of nine 2013 Holden Commodore COTF chassis' that the team will build (Triple Eight will keep five, two will go to Tekno Autosports, one will go to Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport and a deal is still to be finalised with the ninth).
Whincup said the ground-breaking day produced plenty of feedback which would be considered as the build process continued.
“Overall it's vastly different to what we normally play with,” said Whincup. “It's a completely different beast in all areas of feel for the driver and is obviously different for the engineers as well.
“I think a day like today demonstrates that we are doing some major things not just for us but for the category as a whole.
“There are a lot of parts which are already homologated but already I can see that there will need to be some modifications. The gearbox doesn't feel as nice and at the moment the changes are short and harsh.
“There were no secrets here today and we are talking to Frank Adamson [V8 Supercars Category Technical Manager] about everything that was happening so he can report back.
“After our fourth run it looked like there was a problem developing in the driveline area so we'll have a look at it and come up with a solution for everyone.”
With other teams unlikely to begin track testing for another month, Managing Director Roland Dane said it was an important step to debut the category’s first COTF.
“This is our first completed chassis and it was important for us to show leadership and be the first to have the car running out on the track,” said Dane. “We will be having a full-blooded test day with this car out at Queensland Raceway on Monday.
“I think other teams out there should be grateful for what we have done because we are helping to validate a lot of the components on the car.”
The new generation car retains its signature V8 Supercar DNA though there are some marked visual differences, including larger and more prominent brake discs together with brand new wheels shod with state of the art 18” Dunlop tyres.
The military style livery reflects the team's special camouflage design it released for the Sucrogen Townsville 400 event last year in support of GECKOS, a Defence families centre in North Queensland.
Fans will get a first look at the team's new COTF Holden at this weekend's Queensland Raceway Coates Hire 300 event where it will be on display.
