Supercars CEO Sean Seamer believes that the current coronavirus-induced break that has put the 2020 season on hold will offer a window of opportunity for the series to concentrate on the Gen3 concept.
The Gen3 technical regulations which will likely see Supercars adopt a two-door coupe-style platform is currently slated to be introduced ahead of the 2022 season.
The concept, which has already once been postponed, has been under a fresh wave of pressure to deliver since the news broke of GM ceasing the production of the Commodore.
But as reported by motorsport.com, Seamer says that work on the Gen3 has not stopped despite the covid-19 pandemic putting a pause on the current championship season.
“Like any other business in the short term, our focus is on managing our cost and making sure we’re ready to go again when we can go racing, and that the sport comes through in the best possible shape,” Seamer told motorsport.com.
“[But] we still have big questions that we need to tackle.
“My hope is that this experience galvanises the key decision makers to make sure what we end up with from a product point of view, what we end up with Gen3, really is cost-effective and focuses purely on entertainment. An entertainment-driven exercise, not an engineering-driven exercise.
“If nothing else this experience over the coming months, will, and should, be good for that.”
Seamer even mentioned that there is a chance that some elements of the Gen3 model could be implemented into the sport ahead of the 2022 deadline.
Likewise, Seamer is declining any suggestion that the 2022 timeline will be further delayed due to pandemic.
“The complexity of Gen3 and the ambition of cost-saving might mean that the timeline can be reduced,” he said.
“The reality is that until we get going again properly we’re not going to know. But I haven’t received any information or communication to suggest the 2022 timeline should be pushed back because of it.
“If anything, I’d like to think that a simplified Gen3 programme, that reduces costs, could be executed sooner.”
