As the 2026 Supercars season unfolds, Brad Jones Racing (BJR) is focused on developing its latest Gen3 Supra chassis, designated BJR 021. With drivers Andre Heimgartner and Cameron Hill piloting new Supras, and Macauley Jones temporarily using a Chevrolet Camaro, the team is navigating the complexities of car development in a highly competitive environment.
The Gen3 regulations allow for various aero packages on a shared control chassis, meaning that while the Camaro, Mustang, and Supra are visually distinct, they share identical underpinnings. This design philosophy enables teams to convert cars between models without starting from scratch, but it also means that creating a new chassis is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and resources.
Heimgartner's performance this season has been a mixed bag; despite securing a victory in Tasmania, engine failures in Sydney and Townsville have hampered his results, leaving him in a challenging position as he fights for a spot in the Finals. Meanwhile, fellow Toyota drivers Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood have consistently kept their Supras in the top ten, showcasing the competitive edge of the Toyota camp, particularly under the guidance of Walkinshaw TWG Racing, the homologation team responsible for the Supra's Gen3 specifications.
Brad Jones provided insights into the construction of the new chassis, emphasizing the meticulous nature of the process. "We’re certainly well underway with our next Supra," he stated, highlighting that the current focus is on completing the center section of the chassis. Following this, the team will fabricate a new front and rear clip before proceeding to the painting stage. Each step in this process is labor-intensive, with the center section housing the FIA-style safety cage and requiring precise jig-mounting to ensure compliance with the series’ weight and geometry standards.
The timeline for having BJR 021 race-ready is tight, with aspirations to complete the chassis shortly after the Repco Bathurst 1000 in October. Jones expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "We hope to have this to a point where if we need it post Bathurst, even though it’ll be a rush, we could actually build it into a car." This indicates that while the chassis may be structurally complete, transforming it into a fully functional race car is a multi-week endeavor that must be executed with precision to ensure it can withstand the grueling demands of the Mount Panorama circuit.
BJR is not the only team refreshing its fleet this season; several other prominent teams, including Triple Eight Race Engineering and Dick Johnson Racing, have also introduced new Gen3 chassis. This widespread turnover highlights the financial pressures in the sport, as manufacturer-backed budgets can fluctuate rapidly, impacting teams' capabilities to compete effectively.
While the specific car that BJR 021 will replace has not been officially announced, it is widely speculated that it will take over from Macauley Jones' Camaro, the last remnant of the team’s pre-Supra lineup. Before any decisions are finalized, however, BJR must navigate the upcoming Ryco Enduro Cup, where Heimgartner, Hill, and Jones will be joined by co-drivers Bryce Fullwood, Brad Vaughan, and Jordan Boys for the endurance events starting at The Bend from September 11-13.
The Supra nameplate carries significant heritage, with classic models still highly sought after by collectors. However, the current Gen3 race car is a purpose-built machine, designed specifically for the rigors of racing rather than consumer use. The commitment of a family-run team like BJR to hand-build its chassis underscores the enduring spirit of motorsport, where craftsmanship and engineering excellence remain at the forefront, even amidst the evolving landscape of racing regulations and commercial pressures.
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