Although the Repco Supercars Championship has contested a round at Phillip Island in recent years, many drivers sampled Gen3 for the first time at the venue today.
Tickford Racing drivers Thomas Randle and Jake Kostecki drove the Dick Johnson Racing-developed Gen3 Ford Mustang for the first time supported by Team Principal Tim Edwards.
On the GM side, Brad Jones Racing pair Andre Heimgartner and Macauley Jones tested the Chevrolet Camaro produced by Triple Eight Race Engineering as Gen3 homologation team, while the Kiwi’s engineer Tony Woodward was on hand during the test.
Randle revealed his first impressions of the Gen3 Ford Mustang, believing it will achieve all of which it has been designed to do.
“It feels quite different,” said Randle.
“That rawness of the V8 sounds so great down the front straight, plucking the sequential shift is awesome.”
Randle admitted the Gen3 package is tougher to drive than the current generation and is excited for a full field next year.
“I’m just getting used to the natural handling of the car during low speed, high speed and braking, which is quite lively,” he explained.
“It’s a lot more challenging to drive. It’s good for a driver because it makes us work a bit harder, which is probably not a bad thing and I’m looking forward to 2023 when everyone can hop in them for good.”
Speaking on the new aero design, Randle was complementary on the relatively less-complex design of the front and rear bodykit.
“With less aero and a lot less drag, they are quite fast in a straight line I’m reaching sixth gear early into Turn 3,” he revealed.
“But the whole idea of it all is to create much closer racing so no gurney flaps on the rear wings for these cars a lot simpler front and rear aero, with a much shorter undertray.
“By generating less aerodynamics, that means we’re also generating less aero wash, so there’s less disturbed air, which should make racing a lot closer.”
Testing continues tomorrow at Phillip Island where Holden drivers Garry Jacobson and Scott Pye driving the Camaro as Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison take on duties in the Mustang.