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Mostert, Davison, Whincup back behind the wheel

19 Jan 2023
Supercars stars take to Gen3 cars at Queensland Raceway
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A number of drivers enjoyed their first stints behind the wheel in 2023 with the Gen3 prototypes hitting the track at Queensland Raceway.

The Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang prototypes turned laps for the first time this year on Thursday.

The single-day closed testing session featured Jamie Whincup behind the wheel of the Camaro, and Will Davison and Chaz Mostert in the Mustang.

James Courtney (Ford) and Andre Heimgartner (Chevrolet) also featured on the day.

Whincup’s laps came a day after he tested his Bathurst 12 Hour Mercedes-AMG GT3 at The Bend Motorsport Park.

Mostert, meanwhile, is edging closer to a return to the Blue Oval with Walkinshaw Andretti United shifting to Ford from 2023.

The two-time Bathurst winner first tested the Gen3 Mustang prototype midway through last year.

Tickford Racing CEO and Team Principal Tim Edwards and BJR engineer Phil Keed were also on-site at the Ipswich venue.

Teams are currently in the process of finishing the build of their Supercars ahead of the official test days, which will be held on February 7 (Winton) and February 9 (Ipswich).

An all-in test will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 22 ahead of the first ever Gen3 races at the Thrifty Newcastle 500 on March 10-12.

Mostert, who famously drove a WAU ZB Commodore to victory ahead of teammate Nick Percat at December’s VALO Adelaide 500, was pleased to blow out the cobwebs behind the wheel of the Mustang prototype.

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“It’s been a little since I’ve done some laps,” the 30-year-old told Supercars.com.

“I felt pretty rusty out there, maybe that’s just me!

“It’s good to get back out here — I normally test [at Winton] which is normally a bit colder.

“To come up here and help Supercars out with their testing programme is always good.”

Davison first drove the Mustang prototype in January 2022, also at Queensland Raceway, just weeks after the cars were unveiled.

The Shell V-Power Racing Team driver, who returned to the winners’ circle last year, said the feeling is different year on year with the new era around the corner.

“It’s really exciting to be back,” Davison told Supercars.com.

“It’s that time of year when everyone’s fresh and have had a break, and itching to get going.

“It’s very real now — this day last year I was testing the Gen3 car, but it wasn’t front and centre of your mind, we had a full season to go with the old cars.

“Now it’s real, it’s here in front of us, and it’s really exciting.”

Tickets for the Thrifty Newcastle 500, which is just 50 days away, are on sale now at Ticketek.com and Supercars.com.

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