Le Brocq's key takeaway from first MSR Gen3 test

The new low-downforce Gen3 cars will make tyre life in Newcastle “pretty interesting”, says Jack Le Brocq.

Le Brocq and rookie teammate Cameron Hill tested Matt Stone Racing’s new Gen3 Camaro on Tuesday.

The duo completed running in chassis MSR003, with a Truck Assist logo placed on the doors prior to the team’s livery reveal.

MSR was joined by Dick Johnson Racing at Queensland Raceway, with the Blanchard Racing Team testing at Winton.

The new Gen3 cars have had a downforce reduction of approximately 60 per cent compared to their Gen3 predecessors.

Not only are the cars expected to produce closer racing, but they will encourage more tyre wear as cars slide around.

It’s a stark contrast to the relatively high-downforce ZB Commodore and Gen2 Mustang models Le Brocq has raced.

“The first day in MSR003, the first Supercar that Matt Stone [Racing] has built as a team,” Le Brocq said.

“Awesome to be out here, the car is unreal, heaps of power.

“It’s going to be pretty interesting on the rear tyre, especially come Newcastle for 90-odd laps.

“Awesome credit to the guys to be the first Chevrolet Racing Camaro on track in Supercars apart from the prototype.”

Teams will have a handful of test days prior to the Thrifty Newcastle 500 on March 10-12.

James Courtney believes a lack of historic data and “eyeball engineering” could produce an upset result first-up.

Will Davison, who tested his DJR Mustang on Tuesday, later claimed Newcastle was a “brutal” scene to open the new era.

Hill, meanwhile, is running blind, having never raced a Supercar on the Newcastle streets.

The Canberran was the first driver to test a team-built Camaro, and relished the experience.

“What a special morning for me to be the first driver to drive a Camaro,” Hill said.

“It’s been really cool. The day has gone super smoothly.

“We did some install laps, the boys had a look at the car, and it’s all been perfect.

“We’ll go into our test program, tune the car up and get ahead of the other teams.”

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Newcastle on March 10-12.

Tickets are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.