Lowndes recounts Townsville Gen3 laps

Craig Lowndes was impressed by how the Gen3 prototype coped with the rigours of Townsville.

Lowndes got behind the wheel of the Gen3 Camaro at the Reid Park Street Circuit last weekend.

The Camaro and Mustang were put through the wringer in Townsville.

Zane Goddard steered the Mustang, with Luke Youlden driving the Camaro.

Lowndes had a chance to sample the Camaro, having previously driven the car in testing earlier this year.

The seven-time Bathurst winner was particularly impressed by how the cars put down power.

How the cars responded to the aggressive Reid Park kerbs also left a lasting impression.

“It’s great to see the cars circulate around the streets of Townsville,” Lowndes said in Townsville.

“But you’ve got to remember, this circuit is brutal on the machinery.

“Especially through the [Turn] 7 and 8 section where you use all of the kerb.

“Testing wise, to give these cars a shakedown here, get them running over the kerbs.

“I got a chance to drive the Camaro and it was really nice. It put its power down well.

“The beauty of this new evolution car, is it’s fly-by-wire throttle.

“You can adjust the throttle sensitivity to a driver’s need.”

The two cars were put to the test in an extended session on Thursday.

There, Goddard was pleased with how the cars managed the circuit, and cited the lack of downforce.

To date, Lowndes has only driven the Camaro.

However, having spoken to drivers who have steered the Mustang, Lowndes is excited by how evenly matched the cars are.

Notably, fellow broadcaster Mark Larkham was impressed by the engine parity.

“To have different drivers drive the cars, to have different input, has been fantastic,” Lowndes said.

“I’ve spoken to Will Davison, Anton [De Pasquale]… we all talk the same language.

“Everyone talks about less aero; it’s faster in a straight line, but it’s slower through corners.

“The cars are going to move around more, you’re going to see more driver input.

“We’re going to see some closer racing."

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