THE new Gen3 Chevrolet Camaros and Ford Mustangs will not race in the Repco Supercars Championship until the opening event of 2023.
Supercars has announced a decision to further delay the debut of the new ruleset, having previously announced in June it would be pushed back from the start of 2022 until mid-2022.
Gen3 represents a major change for the category, introducing a new control chassis for the first time since 2013, and a new generation of engines for both the General Motors and Ford runners.
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“Factors outside the control of Supercars, including the ongoing challenges with international supply chains and domestic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are among the major contributing factors,” read a Supercars statement announcing the latest delay.
“Lockdowns in various states which have forced Supercars to condense its racing program over the final three months of 2021, have also limited the Gen3 testing program as originally planned.
“Supercars has arrived at this decision following consultation with key stakeholders including Repco, Ford, General Motors and Supercars’ broadcast partners.
“The manufacturers’ respective homologation teams (Triple Eight Race Engineering and Dick Johnson Racing) continue to forge ahead with the development of the prototypes and Gen3 cars are on track to be unveiled on Friday 3rd of December, during this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
“Supercars, General Motors and Ford remain committed to rolling out Gen3 and the introduction of the Camaro and the Mustang.”
The latest move means the current control chassis, which debuted as the ‘Car of the Future’ in 2013, will complete 10 full seasons before being replaced.
Holden meanwhile has two more chances at adding to its current record of 34 Bathurst 1000 victories, despite the brand having been retired from the new car marketplace at the end of 2020.
Although Gen3 machines will not race in 2022, Supercars has promised that fans will see plenty of the new cars during the year.
“Throughout the course of 2022, fans will see the first-ever Gen3 race car come to life ahead of the program’s racing debut,” continued the statement.
“Cars will conduct significant on-track exhibitions and testing at many of Supercars’ events next year.
“Mark Larkham will continue to bring behind-the-scenes updates of Gen3 prototypes and testing through Repco Supercars Championship broadcast and digital channels.”
