About the Production
PACE Innovations won the contract to design, build, and assemble two brand new V8 Supercar ‘Car Of The Future’ (COTF) prototypes to fit both a Ford and Holden bodyshell. The main objectives for this project were to update the technology, increase driver safety, and create a common platform chassis whilst reducing the overall cost. By doing so, it was hoped it would make it far simpler and enticing for other manufacturers to join the series, which was a proven success with the introduction of Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Nissan to the category.
There were numerous stakeholders involved in this project, MoTeC, with parts for the new ECU and data logging technology, Triple Eight Race Engineering with various current and future spec suspension parts, Albins with a newly developed ST6 transaxle designed specifically for the category, and many more highly skilled companies offering their industry expertise.
Along with Supercars COTF Technical Projects Manager, Vincent Dumarski, we were able to manage the design and build process of the prototypes through to completion in 2011 for evaluation by current V8 Supercar team representatives, with an extensive testing programme.
The success of the prototype’s initial chassis and suspension testing was made evident with the test drivers’ feedback being very positive and their appraisal of the performance of the cars.