MOTORSPORT: Twin-turbo V6 Holden Supercar hits the track

Triple Eight Race Engineering has unofficially ushered in a new era of Supercars, completing its first shakedown session of the controversial Gen2 V6 engine.

As the Supercars category prepares to broaden the technical basis for the category with the introduction of new regulations next year, the Triple Eight squad put the twin-turbo V6 through its paces at the Norwell Motorplex on the Gold Coast on Wednesday.

Jamie Whincup, Craig Lowndes and Pirtek Enduro co-driver Steven Richards each clocked laps of the Supercar-based Sandman prototype, completing 256km worth of track time.

The first motor built to Supercars new Gen 2 regulations was shipped from General Motors racing outpost in Pontiac, Michigan, to Holden’s official factory racing team.

Triple Eight boss Roland Dane lauded the engine after its initial hit out.

“We are very happy with the initial running, GM Racing has given us a great base to work from,” Dane said.

“The test has been about getting kilometres on the engine and understanding what it needs at this point to prepare it for racing in Supercars.”

The engine will be introduced as a wild card entry at selected rounds of the Supercars championship next season before a full rollout for the 2019 season. Until then, most teams will continue with the category’s current 5.0-litre V8.

According to Holden, “the team has consulted with Supercars technical department following Wednesday’s shakedown, and will continue to work with Supercars to ensure the continuation of category parity”. The move will ensure some relevance to Holden’s equivalent passenger car, which will eschew rear-driven V6 and V8 enthusiast offerings for new front-drive and all-wheel drive V6 replacements later this year.

The big unknown surrounds the blown V6’s engine note, though Dane reassured motorsport outlets, declaring it is “awesome”.