SUPERCARS’ new Gen3 machines got the closest they have ever been to the outright lap time of the previous generation cars at the Perth SuperSprint.
In percentage terms, the fastest ultimate lap (combining the various best sector times) at Newcastle versus the most recent event there in 2019 produced a 1.75 percent delta.
That blew out to being 2.17 percent slower at the fast and flowing Albert Park.
But come Wanneroo Raceway, the first of two successive sub-minute tracks on the calendar, the times were tighter.
Broc Feeney delivered the fastest lap of the weekend, a 54.1828s, in the second of two Sunday qualifying hitouts.
The best time of the 2022 event came in the corresponding session, with Shane van Gisbergen’s 53.4632s some 1.35 percent quicker (albeit still shy of Scott McLaughlin’s all-time practice/qualifying record of 52.8141s from 2019).
When combined individual sector times are taken into account, the difference is slightly greater at 1.53 percent, but still well clear of the opening two rounds.
| Wanneroo Raceway | 2022 Qualifying for Race 3 | 2023 Qualifying for Race 3 | Difference |
| Sector 1 | 25.3596s (Van Gisbergen) | 25.7382s (Feeney) | +0.3786s |
| Sector 2 | 17.1450s (Davison) | 17.4740s (Brown) | +0.3290s |
| Sector 3 | 10.7616s (Davison) | 10.8694s (Feeney) | +0.1078s |
| Combined | 53.2662s | 54.0816s | +0.8154s |
The mere 1.00 percent delta seen in the third and final sector above also represents the closest Gen2 versus Gen3 result of any individual sector this season.
Perth furthermore produced some thrilling racing on its Gen3 debut, most obviously Brodie Kostecki and Shane van Gisbergen’s battle for the Race 1 victory.
Symmons Plains, the site of Round 4 of the Repco Supercars Championship on May 19-21, could well play to the strengths associated with Gen3’s reduced aero.
