Supercars to retain sequential manual transmissions for Gen3

In a decision that will reinforce the importance of driver skills, the Gen 3 Mustang and Camaro in the Repco Supercars Championship will retain sequential manual gear shifting when they arrive in 2023.

Talk of switching from a traditional gear stick to paddle-shifters for Gen 3 resulted in a backlash from the fans and drivers almost immediately after it was proposed. On 6 February, Supercars officially confirmed that paddle shifters will not be a part of Gen 3, with the current six-speed sequential manuals continuing as is on the new Mustang and all-new Camaro.

“Following the early rounds of testing in the prototypes, and unanimous support from the Gen3 Steering Committee, I can confirm the Camaro and Mustang will race using the current fully manual gear shift for 2023 and beyond,” said Supercars CEO Shane Howard.

“We strongly considered the overwhelming feedback from our fans, teams and drivers that the gear change mechanism and the commensurate skill required to down change properly cannot be lost in Supercars unique heat of battle on-track.
“We have always celebrated the difficulty that comes with driving a Supercar. The shifting of gears has become part of the artform required to succeed in our category.

“We’re very happy with the decision of the Gen3 Steering Committee and can now move forward with further Gen3 development.”

Current Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen was one of the most vocal critics of paddle shifters coming into the category, so welcomes the decision of the steering committee.
“I’m stoked with this decision by Supercars. I was vocal about it. So was pretty much every other driver. We know the fans wanted the same thing we did, so I’m sure everyone is happier with this decision to keep the gear shift the way it is.”
The 2022 Repco Supercars Championship gets underway under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park on 4-6 March.