Mitchell, I posted earlier this year just before the NZ round that I thought the Falcon's had a rear wing deficiency v's the Commodore's and that it is amplified at tracks with undulating/high-speed corners such as Puka and Bathurst. As predicted, the Ford's performed poorly at Puka and were left wanting for raw pace at Bathurst. The Ford's are more suited to circuits with slow to mid speed corners such as Eastern Creek and Sandown.
I also believe that this slight aero disparity makes the Falcon a much tougher car to set up and achieve optimum balance. The set-up envelope is so much smaller, and this is why most Ford teams (with the exception of SBR) are inconsistent in performance. At some meetings they are off the pace, and at others they are much closer to the mark. The Holden's of HRT, CPR, PWR & KRT are quick out of the box at each meeting and they are remarkebly consistent from circuit to circuit. SBR are the only Ford team showing consistency, however, for the past 2 years they have mysteriously lacked pace at Bathurst!
Holden felt they were deficient in the engine department, and they lobbied until they were given dispensation. It is time Ford stood up to the powers that be and push hard for a few changes in the aerodynamic department. At worst, to put the issue to rest once and for all, both models need to be put in a wind-tunnel and the numbers will tell the true story. I bet one of my nads that the Ford will be worse off than most expect.
In the interest of the sport, this needs to be investigated!! Yes they should be made as close to EXACT as possible otherwise the very principle that this category is based on (parity) will be undermined.