Ford hero of the mid-2000s and dual-Repco Supercars champion Marcos Ambrose was left impressed by the Gen3 Ford Mustang, which will represent the Blue Oval in a new era of competition for Australia’s leading category.
Ambrose tested the Ford Mustang alongside Garth Tander in the Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro at Symmons Plains ahead of the second round of the Repco Supercars Championship.
Following on from his successful stint in Supercars, Ambrose moved to the US and contested various tiers of NASCAR competition for nearly a decade before returning to his home championship with DJR Team Penske in 2015.
After the opening round of that season in Adelaide, Ambrose stepped away from racing and the category only returning to co-drove alongside Scott Pye for the Pirtek Enduro Cup before quietly retiring to his home state of Tasmania.
Gradually increasing his involvement in motorsport Ambrose formed part of the broadcast team at Symmons Plains last year and fills the role this weekend, while also completing demo laps in the Mustang Gen3.
“It’s my first time sitting in it, first time driving it and I reckon they’re 90 per cent there,” said Ambrose.
“As soon as the teams get their hands on these cars, they’ll get the last 10 per cent out of them.
“For me, old school racing’s all about sliding and moving the car around, and having to muscle it.
“This car is a great balance between what it used to be, and what motorsport is today. They’re trying to get less aero, they’re trying to make it harder to drive. I think they’re doing it.”
“I’m excited for it.”
Ambrose highlighted the recent updates to the interior of each Gen3 chassis has achieved what it was set-up to do.
“There’s plenty of speed in the car,” he explained.
“It was pretty exciting to see the car go that hard so quickly. I was very comfortable in the car, so they’ve sorted out the ergonomic issues.
“The power felt old school V8 to me, it felt old school Supercar to me. It was great.”