Revised Gen3 front-end passes Sandown test

The revised front-end of the Gen3 prototypes passed its first major test across the week at Sandown.

The revised front-end was run in the Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro prototype last weekend.

The Ford Mustang will be modified in the coming weeks.

The Camaro ran a new front clip, with Craig Lowndes behind the wheel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Will Brown and Broc Feeney, who both scored podiums at Sandown, drove the Camaro at Monday’s ride day.

Zane Goddard, James Courtney and David Reynolds steered the Mustang.

The Camaro ran without passengers as Supercars opted to push the new front-end as hard as possible.

Sandown, the ninth different circuit to host Gen3, proved a solid training ground thanks to high kerbs at Turns 2, 3 and 4.

Supercars Head of Motorsport Adrian Burgess was pleased with how the new parts performed.

“We ran the new front end in the Camaro, new clip and front suspension,” Burgess told Supercars’ Cool Down Lap podcast.

“That ran without passengers, just getting miles and over the kerbs hard and aggressive to see if we could break it.

“Luckily and thankfully we didn’t, which we weren’t expecting to.

“We want to make sure it’s bulletproof before we sent it to teams to make.”

The clip has been opened to help teams have more working access to the engine bay.

The front clip is still pending sign-off, with Sandown helping fast-track the process.

It comes after Brad Jones Racing became the first team to take delivery of a constructed chassis.

PACE Innovations is providing chassis in built or kit forms to the majority of teams.

Erebus Motorsport and Walkinshaw Andretti United have already been supplied kits from PACE.

Once each team has a chassis, teams will be provided the remainder of their allocation.

The Gen3 prototypes will make their next at-event appearance in Bathurst, where they were unveiled last December.

The cars will also undergo VCAT testing in November, with teams expected to be testing by December.

A key part of the testing programme has been driver access to the cars, with over 30 drivers having steered the cars.

Notably, WAU drivers Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat have driven the Mustang, given the team will race Fords next year.

Penrite Racing veteran Reynolds drove the Mustang for the first time since March’s Tasmania round.

“We’re trying to share it around, we’re trying to give all teams access to it,” Burgess said.

“Nearly every driver in the main series has driven it at least once."

Supercars will return to New Zealand on September 9-11. Purchase your ITM Auckland SuperSprint tickets now.