Second phase of testing for Gen3 Supercars begins

The Gen3s (no space, this is not a typo) returned to the track in Australian Supercars this week. Two prototypes hit the Queensland Raceway circuit on Tuesday February 1, a Ford Mustang GT and a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. The American brand will replace the legendary Holden in the discipline from 2023.

The Camaro is given to champion Shane van Gisbergen as well as young talent Broc Feeney while veterans James Courtney and Tim Slade will take turns at the wheel of the Mustang. The objective of these tests is to test the mechanics in endurance tests.

Drivers have said the Gen3 cars are harder to drive. Here’s proof 😵‍💫😵‍💫# Gen3 #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/sZdrDHVKXJ

— Supercars (@supercars) February 1, 2022

The drivers must also evaluate the new tires supplied by Dunlop, the super softs. Duel simulations will take place in order to compile data on the behavior of the air flow behind a car and to analyze the level of downforce of the aerodynamic package, deliberately lower than on the Gen2.

Which also makes James Courtney think that experienced pilots will have an advantage by these future vehicles. “It's a very different car than what we're used to, the 2010 champion told Supercars.com. The grip levels are very similar to what we had in 2008, which is good for guys like me, [Mark] Winterbottom, [Will] Davison, Shane (van Gisbergen). Young people don't know what lack of support is. This is a good thing. »

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Gen3 configuration. © Supercars

“We have a little work to do on the brakes; we have to make a decision on the package in the near future, explains Adrian Burgess, head of Supercars. We will also work on some of the engine's auxiliary systems. The anti-roll bars are there, they work, and the car feels more balanced than it did before, but we haven't ventured into fine-tuning the settings yet. Both cars are on a basic set-up; we focus on fixing small problems and putting miles on cars. »