News
2020 Australian S5000 Championship calendar revealed
The inaugural Australian S5000 Championship next year will feature a six round championship in 2020, plus a one-off spectacular at Bathurst.
After a stunning debut at Sandown in September, the big horsepower, modern open wheeler class will contest its first full championship next year, enjoying a range of permanent, street and road courses.
The 2020 championship will kick off on the streets of Albert Park, supporting the Australian Grand Prix. The races will be for full championship points in front of an expected crowd of over 300,000 fans.
Rounds 2 to 6 will see lap records fall as the S5000s headline the burgeoning Shannons Nationals Championship at Sydney Motorsport Park, Winton, The Bend, Phillip Island and Sandown. This calendar offers a tight and compact calendar on circuits perfectly suited to the powerful S5000 machines.
The final event, a non-championship international feature race, will be held at the most famous race track in Australia – Mount Panorama, Bathurst – as part of the new event promoted by S5000 category owners the Australian Racing Group. The date and details of the event will be confirmed in due course.
Boasting a brand-new FIA-approved Onroak/Ligier chassis, a powerful and cost-effective five-litre V8 engine and an all-Australian transmission system, S5000 is a bold, contemporary and modern class aimed at introducing young and aspiring drivers, as well as experienced professionals, to first-class high performance open wheel racing.
S5000 competitors have one final chance to get prepared for the 2020 season under race conditions with the category’s second ‘launch’ event at The Bend in two weeks time.
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2020 Australian S5000 Championship calendar:
Round 1: Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, 12-15 March
Round 2: Sydney Motorsport Park, 27-29 March
Round 3: Winton, 1-3 May**
Round 4: The Bend Motorsport Park, 12-14 June
Round 5: Phillip Island, 21-23 August*
Round 6: Sandown, 11-13 September
Non-championship: Mount Panorama, Bathurst, Date TBC**
*Subject to finalisation of commercial agreements with circuit
**Subject to confirmation
QUOTES
Matt Braid
Director, Australian Racing Group
“The launch of S5000 at Sandown clearly demonstrated the huge interest and support for a fast, entertaining, and premier open wheel category in Australia,” said Matt Braid.
“The significant local and international interest in S5000 will continue to grow as we head into the 2020 Championship with an expanded calendar featuring high profile events, iconic tracks and impressive driver talent.”
Chris Lambden
Category Manager, S5000
“Interest in our 2020 Australian Championship is high after that great Sandown debut, both from within Australia and overseas, and the enquiry level from some top young driver talent is exciting,” said Chris Lambden.
“Where better to kick off a top-level Australian single-seater championship than at the Australian F1 Grand Prix?
“Aligned with TCR at the remaining championship rounds, that’s one very attractive package for real motorsport fans – whether at the track or in front of a TV.
“And then, to cap it all off, a one-off major event at the most challenging race track in Australia …
“Personally, I’m thrilled with how it’s going. S5000 is already getting a fair bit of international attention, and this schedule is well and truly going to keep that momentum going.”