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New S5000 machine met with high praise in Sydney
The brand-new, all-Australian S5000 race car has been met with high praise after its maiden track day at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Unveiled in an exclusive media and competitors event at Sydney Motorsport Park on Sunday, a number of famous and aspiring drivers got the opportunity to drive the modern, 560hp weapon.
Former Bathurst 1000 winners John Bowe and Luke Youlden sampled the car, as well as rising stars Andre Heimgartner (Nissan Supercars driver), Tom Alexander (SuperUtes driver) and Cameron Hill (Carrera Cup driver).
The car drove around SMSP’s ‘North’ circuit, and in post-data analysis, Youlden broke that track’s lap record.
While the record will not stand (as it was held in a private session and not an official race meeting), it proved that the new car will be Australian motorsport’s new pace setter.
The S5000 chassis features the latest FIA-specification carbon-fibre monocoque with strength, safety and cost-effectiveness the main priorities.
The S5000 chassis features the halo protective device, making it the first Australian racing class that will feature the FIA-mandated safety feature. The S5000 machine now heads to the Newcastle street track to complete demonstration laps in the final round of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship. Greg Murphy and John Bowe will take the driving duties during the sessions.
QUOTES
Luke Youlden
“It is awesome. It’s an all encompassing experience,” said Luke Youlden.
“The helmet its trying to come off your head, it sounds amazing and you really have to drive it. I had a ball and I’d recommend it to anyone.
“I can picture 15 to 20 of these things pouring down the grid. The noise would be out of this world. You know what a Supercar sounds like, and these would be better. Lets hope it gets the traction it deserves.
“I heard stories about these types of cars in my dad’s era of racing. There were grids of 30 back then, it will be amazing to see a proper open wheel class return to the top level of Australian motorsport.”
John Bowe
“My best open wheeler days are a long ago, but that puts a smile on your face. It is a serious race car,” said John Bowe.
“It has all of the right systems – heaps of grunt, big tyres – it is the real deal, and it’s just what this country needs.
“It is nearly 40 years since I last drove a real serious, big bore open wheel race car. It’s a long time in the making, it’s a modern car with a carbon chassis with the halo, which you don’t even know is there. If I could wind my speedo back, I’d be here in a heart beat.
“I’m going to get to drive the car in a demonstration at the Newcastle street track, and to show the noise and the pace, it is going to be a great thing. Open wheel lovers have been starved for a long time. For young kids now, there is a serious category to enter.”
Cameron Hill
“The S5000 is unbelievable. It is a pure, open wheel racing car. The amount of grip and braking performance I was unbelievable,” said Cameron Hill.
“I only got a handful of laps. It was easy to get addicted. I would have loved to have got more laps, stayed out there and found the limit of the car. It is a credit to everyone who has been involved.
“For guys my age, I think this is the perfect category. You will need to have a fair bit of experience to get the most out of them. I really think the category has amazing potential.”
Matt Braid
“We’re very pleased to get the car off the ground, show the car in the flesh and let everyone pour over it,” said Matt Braid.
“The launch was a great day and it was great to see the car hit the track in a flawless manner.
“The interest level in the series has been very pleasing and it will not be long until we are announcing the drivers and teams that will be on the grid next year.”