News
First batch of S5000s ordered as GRM takes technical lead on new championship
The Australian Racing Group has struck a technical alliance with Garry Rogers Motorsport for the new S5000 category that will see the leading Supercars Championship team provide total technical support to the category.
GRM will complete the build of the first batch of chassis, as well as providing ongoing parts support, for the cars that will compete in the all-new open-wheel championship next year.
The leading Supercars Championship team, owned and run by respected father and son combination Garry and Barry Rogers, will take delivery of an initial batch of 13 new S5000 chassis, adding to the launch car that has made three popular public appearances in the past two weeks.
The 36-strong GRM workforce will be in charge of the significant engineering, fabrication and composite construction required to get Australia’s fastest motorsport category on track.
Borland Racing Developments, which has undertaken the initial design, engineering and construction work on the debut S5000 car, will continue to play a key role in the development of the cars, adding their unrivalled open wheel experience to the ongoing development.
GRM is one of the most popular Supercars Championship teams, having established a reputation as race winners and talent finding. The 2000 Bathurst 1000 winning team have unearthed talent such as Steve Richards, Garth Tander, Jamie Whincup and recently-crowned Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin, among others.
The team is also no stranger to open wheel competition, having won the 1994 Australian Formula Ford Championship with now five-times Bathurst 1000 winner Steve Richards.
Purchasing or leasing enquiries for S5000 are to be directed to Garry Rogers Motorsport on +61 3 9793 6933.
QUOTES
Garry Rogers
Team Principal, Garry Rogers Motorsport
“We’ve taken on the opportunity to get these S5000 cars built, completed and ready to go for 2019,” said Garry Rogers.
“I have no doubt that we have the workforce to be able to do this.
“This is a serious open wheeler racing category. This new S5000 car will be safer, stronger, more durable and the reliability factor will be enormous compared to what they used to be.
“Back in the 70s, Formula 5000, with flames and sparks, provided very exciting racing. With S5000, I have no doubt that Australia has a real chance here. The rest of the world is toning down on motorsport, and we need to tone up.
“These cars will tone up and give Australian motorsport fans a really exciting spectacle.”
Barry Rogers
Garry Rogers Motorsport
“Being in the motorsport business, we are always actively looking for work, preferably in the motorsport business,” said Barry Rogers.
“We saw the opportunity with S5000 to utilise the workforce that we have to produce a lot of the components that will go into each car.
“It will be a big task, but we will put the right processes in place in regards to the volume of components that you need. Without simplifying it, these cars are like big Meccano sets. The Onroak-Ligier chassis are supplied partially complete, the engines are a slightly modified ‘crate’ engine, which only need small modifications when they arrive in Australia, and the gearbox/transaxle comes complete from Holinger.
“Our fabrication department will be put under the pump but, because we’re not building new Supercars chassis, we believe that it is an achievable job and we’re looking forward to taking it on.
“In the mid 70s, I remember going to Calder Park with Dad and I remember the 5000s roar back then. Car racing is all about the senses, noise and flames – and there’ll be no better car than a S5000 to satisfy all of those senses.”
Matt Braid
Director, Australian Racing Group
“Having worked with GRM previously, I have witnessed first-hand the ability and dedication of their skilled team of engineers, fabricators and mechanics,” said Matt Braid.
“It is extremely pleasing to be able to form an alliance with them to build the first batch of S5000 cars that will be sold and leased to the teams and drivers to compete in the inaugural CAMS Australian S5000 Championship in 2019.
“GRM’s desire to form this alliance with ARG is a fantastic endorsement of the S5000 category, and with exciting developments ahead for S5000 in Australia and New Zealand, we are now setting our sights on a new era of great open wheel competition.”
Chris Lambden
Category Manager, S5000
“The commitment by Garry, Barry and GRM to the production of S5000 cars is a fantastic vote of confidence by them in the formula and the CAMS Australian S5000 Championship,” said Chris Lambden.
“The facility and personnel available at GRM will be a big boost to the production process, following on from the design and development of the car, overseen by Michael Borland, who will still be involved in a consultancy role.
“Following the successful launch, the recent demo runs with the first car and the reaction to it, this is another crucial box ticked in terms of delivering what we expect will be a super addition to the Australian and New Zealand motorsport scene. Production of the first batch of S5000 cars is now under way and 2019 is looking pretty exciting.”