Tensions rise inside Supercars Gen3 project
Rising costs, time pressures and uncertainty with component supplies are taking their toll on Supercars teams and officials, with tensions reaching a boiling point at a recent Supercars commission meeting.
Andrew Clarke reports on the inside details of the Gen3 project after Triple Eight Race Engineering’s Jamie Whincup confirmed the incident to AUTO ACTION’s Bruce Williams.
TENSIONS IN the Supercars paddock are rising as delays and cost rises in the Gen3 project put pressure on the teams to make the grid at Newcastle in March.
There is much talk of the new Gen3 cars being million-dollar racers – from the outside this is adding to the pressure.
Although there has been no real firm number out of Supercars, that number appears to be slightly inflated with Triple Eight offering complete cars for the region of $650-700,000. If you include a spares package, that could be where the talk of a new car costing a million dollars comes from.
The pressure burst at a recent Supercars Commission meeting, with Jamie Whincup eventually apologising for an outburst and statements made during a heated debate. The discussion centered around on the cost and manufacture of some of the components.
In this case it was the engine oil catchment reservoir (an FIA regulation requirement), the manufacture of which is one of just two components awarded to Triple Eight.
Jamie Whincup confirmed a recent Supercars commission meeting about the Gen3 build escalated. Photo by Mark Horsburgh / LAT Images
Whincup also went deeper into the details surrounding the Gen3 car build and when asked about the argument and apology, he confirmed the details.
“A hundred per cent, it’s certainly true,” the T8 boss said. “It all came down to the lack of respect that some teams are showing us.
“To be honest, we’ve had the biggest influence of anyone to get this Gen3 project underway. It is the most important project for the championship ever. We have burnt the midnight oil and heavily invested in the project to make it happen for the good of the sport and the other teams.
“There was a suggestion of bias. That’s where I blew up and said that’s completely disrespectful.
“They wanted Triple Eight to design the whole car at our cost, and then instead of thanking us for coming up with a fantastic car, they’re lobbying behind the scenes to make sure Triple Eight doesn’t get any parts.
“That’s the truth of it. There weren’t any backhanded deals or anything dodgy going on.”
It’s a great insight into some of the issues that surround the new Gen3 project, with Whincup being very honest and upright.
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