OFFICIAL: CAMARO SET TO RACE IN ’22

Official: Camaro set to race in 2022

Factory approved Chevrolet Camaros are to set to rival Ford-supported Mustangs in Supercars from 2022 under the new-look Gen3 rules.

By MARK FOGARTY

Supercars has confirmed the Camaro will be eligible following a major revamp of the chassis rules to allow two-door coupes that more closely resemble the road-going versions.

The existing Gen2 rules don’t allow the shape of the Camaro to be transferred without even more distortion than was required to make the Mustang fit.

The introduction of the Chev coupe will keep the Ford versus GM rivalry in Supercars going well into the middle of the decade.

Supercars announced the main details of Gen3 before the start of practice for Sunday’s Bathurst 1000.

In renderings supplied by Supercars, the illustrations of a Red Bull Racing version of the Camaro ZL1 include the logo of GM Speciality Vehicles, which is replacing Holden.

The Triple Eight concept car also has GMSV signage, as does the design for a Walkinshaw Andretti United alternative.

GMSV’s acknowledgement indicates the American automotive giant’s endorsement and involvement, if not Holden-style major factory backing.

The renders clearly suggest Supercars has gained IP approval from GM for a Camaro racer.

GM’s support could also be a sign that Triple Eight and WAU will receive some GMSV financial backing with the switch from Commodore to Camaro in 2022.

However, it is unlikely to be anywhere near multi-million dollar funding for the Holden Racing Team, which is racing for the last time at the Bathurst 1000.

Nor would it be at the same level as the Blue Oval’s involvement with the Mustang Supercars racer, heavily supported by Ford Performance in Detroit and Ford Australia.

Triple Eight has been the official Holden factory racing team since 2017, taking over from the Walkinshaw squad, which ran HRT from 1990.

WAU has strong links with GM through the Walkinshaw Automotive Group’s long-running HSV partnership, recent Chev Camaro and Silverado right-hand drive factory approved conversions, and its appointment as GMSV’s official ‘remanufacturer’ of coming LHD imports from America.

Departing Holden boss Kristian Aquilina confirmed GMSV’s support of the Gen3 Camaro.

“It is fantastic GM is able to continue its long and proud involvement in Australasia’s premier motorsport category.” Aquilina said in Supercars’ media release.

“The Camaro ZL1 Supercar will undoubtedly attract passion and excitement, as well as showcase the Chevy bowtie that is integral to our new GM Specialty Vehicles business in Australia and New Zealand.

“We loved every minute of our 51-year involvement through Holden. There will never be another Holden, but we now welcome Camaro to the stage and hopefully a whole new generation of fans with it.”

Although no longer sold here – and no indication if GMSV will sell an updated model in the future – the Camaro is the Mustang’s natural and long-running V8 muscle car nemesis.

They’ve been arch-rivals on the road and in racing in the USA since 1968. Camaros also challenged Mustangs in Australian touring car racing in the late 1960s and early ’70s, winning the ATCC in 1971/72.

Ford is also behind the Gen3 reforms, with Broadmeadows’ new chief Andrew Birkic welcoming new – but also traditional – competition in Supercars.

“Ford and Supercars share a rich heritage and a strong future, and we’re excited that fans, today, can see how that’s developing for 2022 and beyond,” Birkic said in the Supercars release.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Sean Seamer and the team at Supercars on our common goal of Ford competing in a highly competitive, entertaining and accessible series.

“We’ve said before that Ford Performance exists to win races and series that matter, and the development of the Gen3 rules is an opportunity to ensure that fans in Australia continue to enjoy a world-class Supercars series that delivers the spectacle and intense competition that has made it worth winning and, ultimately, great to watch.”

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