Supercars paddle shift sparks heated exchange
The debate over paddle shift in Supercars led to a heated exchange during today's Gen3 launch press conference.

The Australian category is yet to formally decide whether it will move from its current mechanical stick shift system to paddles as part of its new Gen3 rules.
A move to an Assisted Gear Shift system to help reduce wear and tear on motors and gearboxes has been confirmed, however a question mark hangs over whether the electronic system will be controlled by paddles or a stick.
However there is still no clear decision, with the Mustang prototype currently fitted with a stick and the Camaro with paddles.
Unsurprisingly the controversial matter came up in today's press conference following the official launch of the Gen3 prototypes.
When pressed on the issue Rob Herrod from Ford homologation team Dick Johnson Racing made his thoughts clear, stating: "It’s gotta be a stick shift.
"I think the manual shift is better television entertainment. Everyone loves watching the in-car camera. If you've got two fingers just moving a paddle shift, that isn't entertainment. You want to make it look real."
Roland Dane from GM homologation team Triple Eight responded by saying he was happy with either a manual stick shift or paddles, but slammed the current system in the Mustang that pairs a stick with the electronic AGS.
"I’m totally ambivalent about it, I don’t mind whether we have a paddle-shift or a manual change," said Dane.
"What I don’t want to see is... having a gearshift that is just connected to a paddle shift is a con and a complete waste of time.
"Either have a proper manual gearshift like we have now, which I’ve got no objection to, or have a paddle shift, don’t try and con people with something in between.
"The paddle shift has got advantages in terms of cost for teams, and most of the teams are pretty adamant they want to save that money in terms of engine life and gearbox life and maintenance of both.
"And on the other hand, the manual shift introduced another element that helps the better drivers in terms of balancing the car as they’re particularly downshifting.
"If I wear a Triple Eight hat for a minute rather than a personal one, a manual shift will only help us from a Triple Eight point of view, but a proper manual shift, none of this having a lever that just operates a couple of switches where you’re effectively bullshitting the fans.
"A decision frankly needs to be made soon because it effects the way the engines are made and the expectations of the engines."
The discussion didn't please Seamer, who, as well as confirming a decision will be made in the next two weeks, did his best to move the conversation away from gears.
"We’ve got to make a call in two weeks because as Roland says we’ve got to lock down the specifications of the engines," he said.
"If they’re going to have a manual shift then we’re going to have to make some changes to the engines, just to protect them.
"I think it’s pretty disappointing that we’re sitting here having a conversation about how we’re changing gears in these cars.
"Clearly people are losing sight of the overall package. You go down there and have a look at those cars and that’s what you want to talk about?
"It’s pretty disappointing. We’ll make a call. Next question."
Another question regarding gearshift drew an even sterner response from the series boss: "Enough, seriously, can we talk about how good the cars are, market relevance, how good they’re going to sound?"
The Gen3 prototypes will make their public on-track debut on the Mount Panorama circuit later today.
The full prototype testing programme will then run across next year before the new rules are introduced for the 2023 season.

GM launches Chevrolet Racing in Australia
Bathurst 1000: Waters sets Practice 3 pace

Latest news
Rolex 24: Ganassi Cadillacs top final GTP practice at Daytona
Renger van der Zande produced fastest lap for Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac in the new GTP class’s final systems check before tomorrow’s 61st Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
Harvick still 'the guy' at SHR, but Briscoe finding his voice
It wasn’t that long ago Chase Briscoe was just hoping to secure a fulltime ride in the NASCAR Cup Series and he could soon be the veteran driver at one of the sport’s top organizations.
WEC assessing Sebring alternative for US round from 2024
The FIA World Endurance Championship has admitted that it is examining alternatives to Sebring for the US round of the series from 2024.
Taylor: "Worn out" error reset button better than Rolex 24 limp mode
Ricky Taylor has zero worries over the pace of the new Acura ARX-06, but believes the new GTP cars will encounter several sensor issues over the course of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
Motorsport.com writers' most memorable moments of 2022
The season just gone was a memorable one for many of our staff writers, who are fortunate enough to cover motorsport around the world. Here are our picks of the best (and in some cases, most eventful) from 2022.
Why Courtney and Tickford are a dream match
James Courtney has been around the block in his motorsport career it's fair to say. After a single-seater career cut short, he's won everything there is to win in Supercars. Following a rocky ride recently in the Australian category, he's found a happy hunting ground with Tickford Racing.
How taming his temper shaped Supercars' slow-burn star
His decision to leave Brad Jones Racing was the biggest shock of the Australian Supercars silly season so far. But for Nick Percat, it comes as the culmination of a personal journey that has made him into one of the most rounded drivers in the series, now in search of a seat that can make him a champion
Why replacing Supercars' GOAT with a teenager is worth the risk for T8
On the face of it, picking an 18-year-old rookie to replace arguably the greatest Supercars driver of all time is a risky move. But as Jamie Whincup takes up a team principal role and hands his car to Broc Feeney, it's one that he is confident will be rewarded in the fullness of time - time which wasn't afforded to Whincup in his early days
How Randle went from fighting cancer to battling for Supercars contention
After his fledgling career was paused by a battle with testicular cancer, Thomas Randle then had to wrestle with finding a drive in Supercars after he got the all-clear. It's been a long road for the Melbourne native but, after two lengthy battles, he's finally got a full-time drive to look forward to
How crisis talks over Supercars’ Gen3 future could leave it without a paddle
With Supercars’ Gen3 era on the horizon, a shift is set to take place – in more ways than one – but, as has become clear in recent weeks, the plan to bin the stick and use paddles with electronic assisted shift has been met with fierce opposition
Can DJR still be a Supercars powerhouse after Penske?
Roger Penske's whirlwind Australian Supercars sojourn is over. After six seasons, three drivers' titles, three teams' championships and a Bathurst 1000 crown, The Captain has sold his controlling stake in Dick Johnson Racing back to the squad and walked away from the category.
Can Whincup be Triple Eight's ruthless leader?
Supercars' most successful team of the past 15 years is set for a radical shakeup next year when Jamie Whincup retires from driving and takes over the reins at Triple Eight. But does he have what it takes to be the new Roland Dane?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.