By Thomas Miles
Date posted: January 19, 2023
Erebus Motorsport has shed some light on its Supercars Gen3 build progress, but suspects testing might start later than scheduled.
Teams are currently busy piecing together their maiden Gen3 Supercars chassis in the hope of meeting a “very tight” deadline and hitting the track when shakedowns are scheduled to start on January 30 at Queensland Raceway.
For Victorian teams such as Erebus Motorsport, the first shakedown is scheduled for February 1 at Winton.
An Erebus Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro chassis attached with Gen3 panels. Image: Erebus Motorsport
However, less than a fortnight before the first shakedown, Erebus Motorsport CEO Barry Ryan has issued fresh doubts about whether or not teams will have the cars ready in time.
Ryan confirmed his two Chevrolet Camaros will not be driven until they are 100% complete, which could be up to a fortnight beyond the initial February 1 shakedown.
“Erebus will shake our cars down and test when we have 100% complete cars,” he said.
“Testing an incomplete car without proper initial set up time is a waste of everyone’s time and will not help us win races in 2023.
“If this happens to be the 1st of February, that’s great, but I suspect we will shake down and test February 13th-15th.”
Erebus Motorsport CEO Barry Ryan is concerned his team will not have its two chassis ready in time for the Gen3 shakedown at Winton on February 1.
Ryan said the lack of controlled components such as engines and rear wings to show up have slowed the construction progress.
“Controlled component delays is where we are currently stalled in our car builds,” he said.
“Delays with controlled components is what currently stalls our car builds.
“We don’t have engines, exhausts, air boxes, radiator ducts, front splitters, front crash bars, dashboards, leg protection/drivers floor trays (both these items are now for us to make), rear wings, uprights and several designs and items we are expecting for assembly direction.”
Will Brown will race the #9 Chevrolet Camaro with Brodie Kostecki continuing as his teammate. Image: Mark Horsburgh
For the new Gen3 era, Erebus elected to build its Chevrolet Camaro chassis in house, starting with construction in Mount Gambier by fabricator James White.
Back in August Erebus’ first chassis laid bare with just the center section and rear clip completed, but now it is looking more like a race car with rear quarter panels and doors among the multiple noticeable inclusions.
Ryan hopes this approach will pay dividends when racing begins at Newcastle on March 10-12.
“We chose a direction different from most other teams and committed to building our own chassis in house under the direction of our long term “welder” James White,” he said.
“Our Gen3 chassis and clips will arguably be the best in the category and that’s where we wanted our base to start.
“The rest of the build comes down to the control components that we could choose to source from other avenues or to make in house.
“We carefully selected the best manufactures we know from years of experience and have made everything so far via these lines.
“Control parts we have no choice and no control over, and need to purchase via the accredited manufacturer.
“All components we have assembled in house under the leadership of Brad Tremain (Crew Chief) and Brad Packham (Chief Mechanic).
“The attention to detail is where gains can be made in Gen3 and I think we have already made many gains without turning a lap.”
Will Brown and Brodie Kostecki will drive two Coca-Cola backed Chevrolet Camaros for Erebus in the 2023 Supercars season.
For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.
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