FORDS STILL WANT MORE

The engine parity battle in Supercars was reignited in Tasmania when the Ford Mustangs (mostly) failed to fire.

Despite the win by Matt Payne, who whispered his Dunlop tyres to the flag in a Shane van Gisbergen-style drive, there was only intermittent speed on the Mustang side of the Supercars' divide.

Behind Payne, there was only one other Ford in the Top 10 at the end of the Sunday race thanks to Ryan Wood.

Wood also claimed a front-row starting spot, like Thomas Randle – who took a pole – as Cam Waters managed a single podium across the weekend.

There was some one-lap speed, but only from a handful of cars, on a track which rewards straight-line performance and good braking ability.

Thing were worst in the third qualifying session on Sunday morning, where there were five Fords at the bottom of the time sheets including both DJR Mustangs and Chaz Mostert of Walkinshaw Andretti United.

Despite their stronger speed, and the ability to run towards the front, both Tickford Racing drivers expressed their frustration on Saturday in Symmons Plains.

"We had a handicap in an area we couldn't control," said Randle after running second in the first sprint.

"It was the best result we could ask for. (Missing) a bit of straight-line handling.

"Not much more we can say."

Waters echoed his team-mates thoughts.

"Didn't have a fast car. Lacking a bit of horsepower," he said.