CAMAROS will soon get the chance to try and conquer the Bathurst 1000 as Supercars has revealed it will be amongst the next generation race car to appear on the grid from 2022.
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Codenamed "Gen3", the program will deliver an evolution of the existing race car platform to transport Supercars in to the future.
Both the General Motors Camaro ZL1 and Ford Mustang are slated for the grid in 2022, with the Gen3 revamp incorporating a new technical design and a modern look, more closely aligned to the road car.
"We are thrilled to welcome a brand new race car design to the track in 2022. The cars will retain their signature V8 engine format to ensure they're fast and loud, but will be 'hybrid ready' and more closely resemble the road cars they are based on," Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said.
"These are incredible looking race cars that give a nod to the Supercar of the past, with as much attention given to the design and appearance of the cars as the new technologies.
"The Gen3 project will support the longevity of Supercars by increasing relevance to our fans and partners, reducing operating costs, and making the racing even fiercer.
"The cars will have a lot less downforce than the current car, making the racing more spectacular and putting more reliance on driver skill," he said.
Having already been at the forefront of the design work, led by Supercars, for Gen3 componentry since April this year, Triple Eight, as the current and final Factory Holden Team, has been charged with the design of the Camaro race car body.
"It's very pleasing to bring such an iconic car, the Chevrolet Camaro, back to Australia's race tracks. Personally, I have enjoyed a long motorsports relationship with General Motors, dating back to the 1990s in the British Touring Car Championship, so I'm happy to be able to continue that," Roland Dane, managing director of Triple Eight, said.
"We're very pleased that GM have entrusted development of the Gen3 Camaro to Triple Eight for this exciting new era of Supercars racing.
"The Camaro looks fantastic as a road car and there's no doubt that it will make a spectacular, aggressive race car. Preparations for the introduction of Gen3 regulations are well under way, but our sights this week are fully focused on delivering the best results possible for Holden and Holden fans."
The Gen3 car design will include a lower, safer, 'hybrid-ready' chassis that can accommodate a greater range of competing cars.
It will be lighter, simpler and include more control components as part of an overall targeted cost reduction of 30-40 percent over current levels. Parity will continue to be controlled by Supercars, with a targeted reduction in down force of over 50 percent, improving racing quality.
The Gen3 rules will stipulate that race cars will have the same key dimensions as the road cars they are based on for components including doors, roof, bonnet, and windows, resulting in a closer visual connection between race and road vehicles.
From an engine perspective, the race car's critical power-to-weight ratio will be maintained. Changes to the engine rules are designed to make them cheaper to buy and operate, offer greater engine life, reduce fuel consumption and ensure more engine options can be competitive.
A Supercars-branded engine option is also under consideration, potentially reducing barriers to entry for new brands. A new Dunlop control tyre will be introduced to offer a higher temperature working range and designed around lower downforce levels.
