Martin Short, Race Engineer for the #88 Ford Mustang and Supercars Championship leader Broc Feeney, gives an in depth preview of the upcoming Tasmania round, the post New Zealand debrief, and maximizing the potential of their new Mustang.
What do you and Broc focus on in the three weeks post New Zealand while the cars are coming back to Australia?
The focus is mainly on debriefing NZ properly and making sure we understand where we can improve. It’s also a good reset moment — physically and mentally — before getting back into preparation mode for the next run of events. There’s a lot of work in reviewing data and making sure we’re aligned on direction heading to Tasmania.
How long was the NZ debrief, and has there been a lot of work done on the car during the break?
The debrief was fairly in-depth, as we struggled for outright speed, particularly at Ruapuna. There’s always work going on in the background, even during the break — evolving the setup, refining processes, and making sure the car is in the best possible window for Tasmania.
You’ve joined Broc in his GT racing this year. Why do you both choose to race in that series during the Supercars season? Is it about time behind the wheel?
It was a big break in the calendar, so staying active helps keep us sharp. It’s about making quick decisions, building experience in different situations, and being able to adapt quickly when we get back into Supercars.
What do you both take from that series into your Supercars preparation?
You gain a different perspective — whether it’s race craft, traffic management, or adapting to different tyre characteristics. Even though the cars are quite different, there are always small things you can bring across that help.
Tasmania last year was the start of a very successful run for the #88 car with 2/3 wins at Symmons Plains. What learnings does 2025 give you going into this year in car set up, confidence in qualifying, and racing at Symmons Plains and following tracks?
Tassie suited us well last year, but with a new car this season we have to keep learning and adapting what we did previously to make it go faster. Every team evolves year-on-year, so you need to keep finding gains to stay competitive.
Is there a difference in track style and conditions between the first four rounds and Tasmania onwards?
Yeah, there is a shift. The next group of tracks tends to reward straight-line speed and braking performance, so getting those areas right will be critical. The earlier rounds were more technical and higher downforce, so it’s about adapting both the car and driving style.
The #88 car is leading the Drivers Championship after four rounds. Is the focus for you and Broc on consistent results, race wins, or learning and improving the new Mustang package?
It’s a bit of all three. Consistency is what puts you in a strong position heading towards the finals, but you still need to be chasing outright performance. We’re continuing to improve the car and maximise its potential, and at times that may mean taking a few more risks with setup direction if we’re not the fastest package.
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