Claims of Holden ZB Commodore aero exploits sparks controversy

Statements from former F1 aerodynamic specialist Nick Wirth regarding aerodynamic rule exploits on the Holden ZB Commodore in 2018 has sparked controversy in the Supercars Championship paddock.

Wirth, who was hired by Triple Eight for the aerodynamic development of the ZB Commodore, stated in an interview on The Hard Compound YouTube channel that they exploited a system which hid an increased downforce level during the homologation procedure.

“Probably there are going to be some people who hear this who aren’t going to enjoy hearing it, because I’m going to tell everybody how we used the rules to beat the rules,” said Wirth.

“We were approached by Triple Eight to try to help hold back the tide of Roger Penske and Ford in Aussie Supercars.

“The fun thing was how to do we do a car that’s a big step forward. I had an idea, because they had a flaw in the way they were validating the performance of the cars that we used to devastating effect.”

The system utilised the brake ducts which were used only during the homologation process to hide the true level of downforce of the ZB Commodore.

When the regular brake ducts were fitted in race trim, the cars produced more downforce than during the airport runway tests – tests which have been scrapped in favour of wind tunnel testing in the USA.

“They (Supercars) made one mistake, and the mistake was that they used their own brake ducts. They were different to the brake ducts that we used on the real race bodywork,” said Wirth.

“I said, ‘that’s an opportunity’.

“What we did was we did a CFD program where every single thing we did, we built models of the brake ducts and load cells that they used to measure the car, so we had a CFD model of that, and we had CFD models of the real bodywork with the real brake cooling system on.

“Basically we got the technology to look for anything that made a bigger difference between when you ran the standard load measuring brake ducts and the race system.”

Wirth went on to state that the actual downforce level was “two and a half times” compared the level measured during homologation, but that he never told Triple Eight.

“As soon as they took that stuff off, and we put our real stuff on, literally downforce was like two and a half times what had been measured,” said Wirth.

“We did it by literally developing technology that used their won measurement system to defeat them.

“When the Triple Eight drivers drove our car for the first time they said there is no way this car is going to pass homologation. Not a chance. It is just nailed to the ground.

“It’s just a bit of fun, and probably there’s some people at Supercars that when they hear this story might grind their teeth a bit because I’ve never told anyone before.

“I’ve never told Triple Eight this story.”

Wirth’s statements has sparked fury from Triple Eight head Jamie Whincup who raced the ZB Commodore during that period, stating that Wirth should never be allowed to work in the Supercars pit lane again.

“This week we’ve had a supplier Triple Eight have used in the past make comment about work they performed many years and a local media outlet recklessly running a story on it without giving us an opportunity to comment or provide supporting evidence,” read a statement from Whincup and Triple Eight.

“We find these comments disturbing and are bitterly disappointed that if interpreted incorrectly it may raise questions on our integrity – something that is so important to us.

“Triple Eight have always respected Supercars testing processes and gone over and above in working with the governing body to achieve technical parity.

“We would never be associated with any person or company that contradicts this and if what Nick Wirth is saying on a podcast is correct he should never be welcomed to work in the Supercars pit lane again.

“It’s important to address this situation so bluntly, especially out of the respect to the hard working staff at Triple Eight and our fans. Our focus is on going racing and delivery you guys life long memories this season and beyond.”

The Triple Eight duo of Shane van Gisbergen and Whincup were beaten by DJR Team Penske and Ford Mustang driver Scott McLaughlin in 2018 when the ZB Commodore was introduced, finishing second and third respectively in the drivers’ championship while Triple Eight secured the teams’ title.