Supercars chief executive Sean Seamer has revealed a call on whether the category adopts paddle shift for Gen3 will be made within a fortnight, before shutting down reporters in a heated press conference.
Prototypes of the 2023 Gen3 cars were revealed in Bathurst on Friday, during the lead-up to Sunday’s iconic Bathurst 1000 race.
However, Supercars is yet to decide whether the category will adopt the controversial paddles or continue with the traditional stick shift.
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Many drivers have claimed a switch to a mechanical gear change would erode at the element of skill in the sport, while a common outcry among fans is the loss of ‘theatre’ the stick brings.
“We’ve got to make a call in two weeks because … we’ve got to lock down the specifications of the engines,” Seamer said in the press conference.
“Ultimately, it’s a polarising subject. Whatever decision you make you’re not going to please everybody, so we’ve got to stop trying to please everybody (and) just make the call and move on.”
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It wasn’t long before Seamer had snapped at the reporters.
“I think it’s pretty disappointing that we’re sitting here having a conversation about how we’re changing gears in these cars,” Seamer said.
“Clearly people are losing sight of the overall package. You go down there and have a look at those cars and that’s you want to talk about.
“It’s pretty disappointing.
“We’ll make a call.
“Next question.”
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When one reporter ignored Seamer’s call to move on from the point, seeking further clarity from Triple Eight team principal Roland Dane, the Supercars CEO butted in.
“Enough, seriously,” Seamer said.
“Can we talk about how good the cars are, market relevance, how good they’re going to sound?”
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