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Defending champions Triple Eight reveal maiden Gen3 livery

By Thomas Miles

Triple Eight Race Engineering has revealed its maiden livery for the Gen3 era of Supercars with red making a return.

The Chevrolet Camaros driven by reigning champion Shane van Gisbergen and Broc Feeney will carry a new red and blue livery, which will be first seen at Wednesday’s Sydney test.

The new look Red Bull Ampol Racing Chevrolet Camaro.

After cars #97 and #88 completed a 650km shakedown at Queensland Raceway in an all-blue test livery, renowned livery designer Peter Hughes has been busy creating the racing colours for 2023.

Triple Eight’s new livery may carry the traditional Red Bull blue, which has been the focus on the team’s cars ever since the energy drinks company became a major sponsor a decade ago, it is a distinct change of scene.

Shane van Gisbergen and Broc Feeney stand next to their 2023 Camaro.

Large red elements have been added to the front grille and rear quarter panels where white has mainly been used over the last four years.

The style of the 2023 livery carries a lot of resemblance to the team’s 2017 look at the Adelaide 500.

Triple Eight hopes to continue its dominance as the sport heads into the dawn of the Gen3 era.

The 2023 Red Bull Ampol Racing Camaro has increased red compared to previous liveries.

Van Gisbergen is on the hunt to become just the fifth driver alongside Ian Geoghegan, Mark Skaife, Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin to win three straight Supercars/ATCC titles in 2023.

Van Gisbergen believes his new livery is a winner, and with engineer Andrew Edwards by his side again, he hopes to repay the team’s hard work with more on-track success.

“I think the new cars look cool, especially the shape of it,” the 2020 and 2022 Bathurst 1000 winner said. 

“The colours on the car are quite a big change for us this year as the last few years have been quite similar. The blue and red, mixed together with the white roof looks tough.

Shane can Gisbergen will defend his 2023 Supercars crown with a new look Camaro.

“The design and engineering team at Triple Eight have done a huge amount of work for the category along with a couple of other teams, but our mechanics have also done some crazy hours the last couple of months. 

“The whole team has done a great job to get these cars ready the last couple of years. When we rolled out at our first test day, the cars ran faultlessly, so that was awesome and a testament to their work.

The only comparable Triple Eight Red Bull livery is the one used at the 2017 Adelaide 500 where Shane van Gisbergen cruised to a clean sweep win. Image: Daniel Kalisz/LAT Images

“(Andrew Edwards) was an awesome addition to our team last year – he’s really committed, and we get along well.

“He’s taught me a lot and pushed me to be better, and I’d love to keep improving on that relationship and get better and better.”

Young gun Feeney is ready to take another step forward after building nicely throughout his rookie Supercars season.

Broc Feeney will suit up for his second full-time Supercars campaign.

After two Bathurst 1000 starts with Tickford and Triple Eight, the Gold Coast boy made his full-time debut at Sydney as a 19-year-old and scored a podium in his second round at Tasmania.

Although the 2022 season had its ups and downs, Feeney showed his true potential by holding off Chaz Mostert to secure a maiden win at the Adelaide finale in similar vein to what his team boss Jamie Whincup did 16 years earlier.

With a full season and a P6 championship finish under his belt, Feeney cannot wait to drive an “awesome” looking Supercar around the streets of Newcastle for the first time.

Broc Feeney held off Chaz Mostert across the full 29 lap green flag run to the end to score his maiden win. Image: Mark Horsburgh/EDGE Photographics

“It’s pretty cool to see my first brand new Gen3 supercar,” he said. 

“The cars look awesome this year. I think we needed that big refresher, and the livery looks awesome as well. I’m just really looking forward to getting on track now.

“Both of our cars ran so smoothly at our shakedown at Queensland Raceway. The team has put so much effort in and I can’t emphasise that enough. 

“They had a short summer break and have basically been in the workshop day and night ever since. For the cars to run so smoothly was awesome.

The all blue Triple Eight Chevrolet Camaro that was tested at Queensland Raceway.

“I’m so excited to get to Newcastle – what a place to host the first Gen3 race. It’s one of the toughest tracks on the Supercars calendar. 

“I raced in the Toyota 86 category there back in 2018, so it’s been quite a few years since I’ve been there. 

“I feel like for every driver out there it’s going to be a big challenge rocking up to such a gnarly track in these brand-new cars, so it’s going to be an exciting weekend. 

“The two 250-kilometre races are going to be hard work, but we’re looking forward to putting these cars to the test.”

The new look Triple Eight Camaros will make their racing debut at the season-opening Newcastle 500 on March 10-12.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

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