Barry Ryan fears “unfair” Gen3 Supercars test
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 27 January 2023
Erebus Motorsport boss Barry Ryan believes any teams participating in the scheduled Gen3 Supercars shakedowns would be “unfair”.
The first scheduled Gen3 shakedown is next Monday at Ipswich for the Queensland based teams, while the Victorian outfits were anticipated to do the same at Winton on Wednesday.
However, with teams still scrambling to get the cars assembled and parts still being supplied, the shakedowns appear unlikely to happen.
The first batch of Gen3 engines have only just arrived to teams this week after Supercars completed an online lottery system allocation process.
Last week Ryan published a letter stating his two Chevrolet Camaros may not be ready until around February 13-15.
He has further explained that any teams rolling Gen3 cars out at the scheduled shakedowns would be “unfair” with the ability to complete a new car still not possible.
A Gen3 Supercars Chevrolet Camaro chassis sitting inside the team’s Melbourne workshop.
“The planned 1st of February test is not possible to actually have a complete car with all the correct Gen3 approved parts,” Ryan said.
“Teams that make that date will be testing with cars that are not complete or Gen3 approved.
“As it stands we cannot have parts here and properly fitted to cars in time. Even if all remaining parts left from all suppliers today, add freight, assembly and set up time and it’s past the 1st of February test date.
“If they do test with complete cars it will be unfair.”
With Erebus receiving its first engine on Thursday, Ryan said he is now targeting a deadline of February 8, with the February 1 shakedown now not possible.
Erebus Motorsport’s Will Brown sits in the Chevrolet Camaro Gen3 prototype. Image: Mark Horsburgh/Supercars.Com
“As it stands we cannot have parts here and properly fitted to cars in time. Even if all remaining parts left from all suppliers today, add freight, assembly and set up time and it’s past the 1st of February test date,” he said.
“We finally received some more critical parts this week. Our first engine turned up yesterday, thanks to Ken McNamara and his team at KRE for their efforts here for the category. Now to the job of engine fit and alignment, plumbing oil lines, water lines, wiring, power steering system, exhaust fitment.
“We also received a dashboard, radiator intake, boot in-fill panels and the front crash bar. We are still needing some critical items to finish the car that we hope are not too many days away.
“It would be nice to think we could turn the key and start her up soon, though we are still waiting on an ECU and the fuel specification and supplier.
“One thing I do promise is that Coca-Cola Racing by Erebus will be 100% ready with brand new shiny PPG painted and Metamark wrapped cars the moment they hit the track, not just “shake down” half ready cars. It is getting exciting.”
An official Gen3 test featuring all teams is planned at Sydney Motorsport Park on Wednesday, February 22.
For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.
AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport
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