Supercars responds to Camaro news
Supercars has reiterated its strong partnership with Chevrolet Racing despite the retirement of the sixth generation Camaro model.
Chevrolet announced Thursday (AEDT) that the sixth generation Camaro will retire at the conclusion of model year 2024.
The final sixth generation Camaros will come off the assembly line at the Michigan Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant in January 2024.
The sixth generation Camaro made its long-awaited racing debut in Supercars at this month’s Thrifty Newcastle 500. It was first championship race for a Camaro since 1984.
The model also competes in NASCAR, IMSA, SRO and NHRA.
Chevrolet reiterated the Camaro will continue to compete on track, working with motorsports sanctioning bodies to ensure the brand's presence in racing moving forward.
Supercars CEO Shane Howard said the partnership with GM will continue into the future, with the Camaro to represent Chevrolet Racing in Supercars until at least the end of 2025.
"While today’s General Motors (GM) news out of the U.S will have an impact on our racing product, we respect and acknowledge that change is sometimes inevitable," Howard said.
The new Camaro won on debut in Newcastle
"We will continue our strong partnership with GM into the future.
"GM has been an integral part of our heritage and has played a significant role in shaping Supercars to become what it is today, the greatest touring car category in the world.
"Ever since Bruce McPhee and Barry Mulholland famously won in a Holden Monaro at Bathurst in 1968, GM has helped shaped the careers of some of Australia’s and New Zealand’s greatest drivers, including Peter Brock, Mark Skaife, Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and most recently Shane van Gisbergen.
"For fans, the Camaro will continue to proudly represent Chevrolet Racing in the Repco Supercars Championship until at least the end of 2025."
Scott Bell, global Chevrolet vice president, said: "As we prepare to say goodbye to the current generation Camaro, it is difficult to overstate our gratitude to every Camaro customer, Camaro assembly line employee and race fan.
"While we are not announcing an immediate successor today, rest assured, this is not the end of Camaro’s story."
Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president, Performance and Motorsports, reiterated the company’s commitment to motorsport.
"Chevrolet’s products and our relationship with our customers benefit from motorsports," Campbell said.
"Our plan is to continue to compete and win at the highest levels of auto racing."
The Camaro will take on the Ford Mustang at next weekend’s Beaurepaires Melbourne SuperSprint.
