Toyota's engine troubles have been a major talking point in the Supercars season, but a recent development might just turn the tide. The homologation team Walkinshaw TWG, in collaboration with Swindon Powertrains, has been working tirelessly to address the reliability woes that have plagued Toyota's Supra. With the Bathurst 1000 looming, the team has made significant progress, and the results are promising.
The updated valvetrain components, delivered by Swindon Powertrains, have been installed in the Supra, and the testing has been nothing short of impressive. The engine has successfully completed 520km at The Bend's West Circuit, with no issues reported. This is a major achievement, considering the engine's previous failures and the challenging duty cycle it endured during the ride day.
Team principal Carl Faux expressed his satisfaction with the testing, highlighting the progress made in fuel mapping. However, he remains cautious, acknowledging that the team cannot be 100% confident. The fact that other issues were highlighted during the season suggests that there is still work to be done. Despite this, the significant step forward in reducing load on the valvetrain is a positive sign.
The new specification engine has undergone a preliminary run at the official Supercars dyno, and it will need to be signed off before its competition debut at Ipswich Super440. Faux hopes to have two updated engines in action at Ipswich, with one each for Walkinshaw TWG and customer Brad Jones Racing. If all goes to plan, a full rollout of the updated engines will follow, with the aim of having five Supras ready for the Enduro Cup opener at The Bend.
However, Faux admits that scheduled mid-event engine changes may still be necessary to minimize the risk of failure at the Bathurst 1000. The team has already made precautionary changes this year due to previous issues, and they may have to do so again. This cautious approach is a testament to the team's commitment to reliability and performance.
In my opinion, Toyota's engine troubles have been a major setback, but the recent developments are a step in the right direction. The team's hard work and dedication are evident, and the results speak for themselves. While there is still work to be done, the future looks brighter for Toyota in the Supercars championship.
