Ford unveiled its latest Gen3 Supercar based on the new Mustang at the Bathurst 1000, while General Motors took a different approach and instead unveiled the 2500 kW Camaro-based slammer drag car as part of what the company called “the next phase in the multiple development of the new dedicated motorsport brand”, Chevrolet Racing.
Ford’s challenger for the 2023 Australian Supercars Championship was shown in the pit lane yesterday in what the company says is “a worldwide first appearance of the seventh-generation Mustang in race form”. Seventh-generation Mustang street versions were unveiled in Detroit last monthwith computer-generated images of the racing cars at the same time.
“It’s fantastic to be able to show the seventh-generation Mustang in race form for the first time worldwide for the first time,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports.
Delivered
Ford has unveiled the new Mustang Gen3 Supercar at Bathurst as legendary Ford racer Dick Johnson takes it for a spin around the track.
Built by Dick Johnson Racing, Ford’s homologation team, in conjunction with Ford Performance, the Mustang Supercar is more like its street counterpart, with a production-based Coyote V8 engine.
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“We are very proud to show the world our new Mustang Supercar, and where better to do it than at the Great Race here at Mount Panorama,” said Andrew Birkic, president and CEO of Ford Australia and New Zealand.
Delivered
The Mustang Gen3 Supercar is powered by a racing engine based on the production Coyote V8.
“It is a special moment to be able to discover this car for passionate Ford fans, together with all our Supercars drivers.
“It is very appropriate that Dick is going to drive his first laps with the car this afternoon. He is a legend of the sport and an incredible ambassador for Ford. This car looks sensational, it’s loud, it’s fast and we can’t wait to see it on track.”
Meanwhile, Ford’s longtime racing and sales rival, General Motors, threw the covers on a significantly more focused and powerful beast; the Camaro-based Pro Slammer with a 3,500 horsepower (2574 kW) supercharged V8 that propels it around the quarter-mile track in under 5.7 seconds at over 410 km/h.
The Chevrolet Racing drag car will be driven in the Australian drag racing scene by the Fabietti ACDelco Race team, which has had a strong relationship with General Motors for over 15 years.
Delivered
Chevrolet Racing debuted the Camaro slammer in the same black and gold livery as the Camaro Gen3 Supercar.
The team campaigned with a 3,500 horsepower Pro Slammer with Monaro to win the championship in 2017, took second in 2019-21 and recently came in second at the 2021 Winter Nationals.
Maurice Fabietti, owner and team principal, has high hopes for the new Camaro.
“We expect the lightweight carbon fiber body to allow us to develop some significant aerodynamic benefits and are confident we will see a time of less than 5.7 miles in the second quarter of a mile,” he said.
Delivered
Powered by a supercharged V8, the Camaro accelerates to 100 km/h in less than a second, on its way to a top speed of over 400 km/h.
“After 12 months of construction it goes without saying that we are more than excited about the new car and we can’t wait to release it later this year with driver Sam Fenech against the competition.”
Debuting in the same low-profile black and gold livery as the Gen3 Supercar, the new Chevrolet Racing drag car will compete in 2023 in the traditional red, white and blue color scheme of all ACDelco brands.
“This is the next exciting addition to the Chevrolet Racing program. This is not a concept or a digital representation, it is a true fire-breathing Camaro that will make its debut in professional drag racing competition at the highest level later this year,” said Chris Payne, General Manager Chevrolet Racing.