It is usually impossible to get all 24 Supercars drivers to agree on anything as they are competitive. However, one topic has been agreed: none of them want the paddle gearbox in the new Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang for 2022.
Supercars organizers are introducing a new tech package called “Gen3” next season that they hope will make cars more exciting, but also cheaper to build and drive.
One way to accomplish this is to introduce a new transmission system that would replace the current sequential shifter shift with Formula 1-style paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel, possibly with an automatic “throttle” when downshifting to protect the shifting engine from spinning not too fast and therefore potentially saves expensive repair bills for teams.
However, it would also make the cars easier to drive, which is what drivers don’t want. And in a rare demonstration by the unit, the drivers publicly railed against the counter. Championship leader Shane van Gisbergen said after the race last weekend in Sandown that supercars should “throw paddle shifts in the trash can”.
Former Bathurst 1000 winner David Reynolds agrees, telling CarsGuide that moving away from the current sequential switch system would be a mistake as it would take something special out of the category.
He explained that the challenge of braking while downshifting, which requires drivers to use the heel-and-toe technique, is one of the most difficult aspects of driving a modern supercar, and it helps separate drivers according to their ability.
“What we have is unique. Everyone else went this way [paddle-shift]Why should we go this way too? “Said Reynolds.
“You want things to go wrong, you want the human element, not electronics, to take control.”
Reynolds said switching to paddle shift would potentially make the race less fun as the cars would be easier to drive and therefore fewer mistakes would be made. The organizers risk rehabilitating the sport too much.
Like many of his colleagues, Reynolds believes that the new regulations should focus on making cars harder to drive, even if that means less aerodynamic downforce and less grippy tires.
The Gen3 rule package, in which the current Holden Commodore is replaced by the Camaro and the Mustang is fundamentally changed, aims to reduce downforce by up to 50 percent. Drivers have repeatedly complained in recent years that the cars have become too sensitive to aerodynamics, making overtaking difficult.
“I’ve been part of this category for 10 years and I’ve watched the aero evolve,” Reynolds told CarsGuide. “The cars are easier to drive and harder to overtake.”
The same applies to the control tires from Dunlop. Reynolds believes the sport could be better served with tires that deteriorate more, which would force drivers to manage them better during the race, which in turn should lead to more unpredictable results and more action on the track.
“You need the tires to wear out, you need variables that make it easier for us to do our job,” he said.
Supercars has yet to commit to a paddle gearbox. The first prototype of the new Gen3 car is expected to be ready by the middle of the year and to go on the track for initial tests.
