Delivery of Gen3 engines to Supercars teams are underway after the first allocation to both Ford and Chevrolet teams was completed.
One single manufacturer for representing each marque is a new change for Gen3 as Herrod Performance Engines supply the Ford squads and KRE Race Engines do likewise for Chevrolet.
An online lottery system using a computerised number generator was used for the allocation as witnessed by all Supercars team principals, CEO Shane Howard and Head of Motorsport Adrian Burgess.
Engine dynamometer testing was completed by Supercars engine expert Craig Hasted to ensure parity before the lottery took place.
Burgess provided further detail on the process.
“With the move to a common engine supplier for the respective Gen3 models, Supercars took the step of randomising the allocation to ward off any suggestions of favouritism,” Burgess explained.
“Given suppliers could not predict which particular engine would go where, not saying they would, but the lottery meant there was no scope for the builders to favour any team, which will ensure drivers have equal opportunity to perform at their best when they hit the track.
“No one will build a special engine for a special customer.”
Matt Stone Racing was the first to reveal it had received its engine had been delivered s it continues to build two Chevrolet Camaros for the season, set to be driven by rookie Cameron Hill and Jack Le Brocq.
“We’ve all been pretty keen to get our hands on the engines,” Stone told Supercars.com.
“The lottery was something different, but it’s done to make sure it was fair and open.
“It’s good to have that key part of the Gen3 puzzle done so we can learn more about the cars.
“For us now, it’s about ticking the boxes and getting it done right.
“It’s really exciting — it’s the biggest undertaking that we’ve done, by far.
“We want to get out onto the track as soon as possible, but we want the cars to be 100 per cent ready.
“We’ll keep working away and get it all done right.”
Parity will be maintained throughout the season by random checks completed by Supercars in addition to reviewing the durability of each unit.
All Supercars team will have two engines per entry at its disposal once the allocations are complete.