Inside Gen3’s first Townsville test

Zane Goddard was left impressed after the Gen3 cars’ first laps at the Reid Park Street Circuit.

The Gen3 Camaro and Mustang made their Townsville track debuts on Thursday.

Goddard lapped the Mustang, with Luke Youlden steering the Camaro.

Goddard is on site with Tickford Racing, with Youlden competing in Carrera Cup. 

Townsville became the sixth different circuit to host Gen3, and just the second street circuit.

Goddard and Youlden were given a license to push the cars over the Townsville kerbs.

Both cars responded in kind, with Goddard pleased with the outcomes.

"In testing, you can’t go around at 50 per cent; you won’t learn anything," Goddard told Supercars.com.

"We were taking the kerbs pretty hard, but not a stupid amount.

"Even the current cars, you can’t smash them stupidly. There is a level of control.

"We were using them in a manner like you would in a race.

"It was taking the kerbs really well. It was soaking up really nicely.

"It didn’t feel like the wheel was flying up into the guard. It felt really good."

The Gen3 laps were the first of the weekend on what proved a green and dusty circuit.

Both cars completed nearly two dozen laps as drivers pushed to complete a simulation race stint.

The lower-downforce cars were, as expected, sliding around, with Goddard and Youlden pushing the envelope.

"The track was so green, it was pretty dirty," he said.

"Even in the current cars, you’re sliding around a bit at those quick corners.

"The track doesn’t grip up as fast as it would with 25 cars out there.

"Through the sweeper, you certainly notice the reduced downforce. It's a lot of fun.

"With 25 cars out there, it will be an awesome spectacle."

The Gen3 cars will have dedicated track sessions across the three days of the NTI Townsville 500.

Cars will hit the track for dual practice sessions on Friday. Purchase your NTI Townsville 500 tickets now.