Ford Mustang gets engine mod for Bathurst 1000

Supercars has approved an engine change for Ford’s Mustang ahead of this weekend’s Bathurst 1000, following testing that identified a loss of power at the lower air pressures encountered at Mount Panorama.

The adjustment applies only to Bathurst and will be reversed for the Gold Coast round later this month. Chevrolet Camaro and Toyota GR Supra engines remain unchanged for the Great Race.

The decision follows barometric pressure testing carried out over the past 12 months, including work before the 2025 Bathurst event and further testing ahead of this year’s race. Ford homologation team Triple Eight Race Engineering developed the revised specification.

“The testing has identified a power loss on the Ford at lower Barometric pressure,” Supercars said in a note to its commission.

According to Motorsport.com, testing indicated the Ford could lose approximately 9kW at altitude. The Bathurst adjustment involves increasing the air restrictor diameter by 2mm and changing camshaft timing through the engine management system.

Mount Panorama reaches 862 metres above sea level at its highest point, making altitude-related engine performance particularly relevant to the event.

The timing of the announcement has drawn criticism from Chevrolet homologation team Team 18. Its boss, Adrian Burgess, said the issue had been discussed for a year, yet the team received the latest data only on the night before Thursday’s opening practice.

Burgess accepted that all manufacturers should have a fair opportunity to compete, but questioned whether the process had allowed sufficiently thorough testing and consultation.

“It’s not the way we should be doing it,” he said.

The change is relevant to Kiwi defending Bathurst winner Matt Payne, who is sharing Grove Racing’s Ford Mustang with Will Davison this year. Payne won the 2025 race alongside Garth Tander.

On track, Ford and Chevrolet shared the honours in Thursday’s opening sessions. Grove Racing’s Kai Allen topped the first practice in a Mustang, while Erebus Motorsport’s Lochie Dalton led the co-driver session in a Camaro.