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Bargwanna to make S5000 debut in Tasman Series opener
Supercheap Auto TCR Australia star Ben Bargwanna will trade turbocharged Peugeot for raw V8 horsepower when he contests the opening round of the S5000 Tasman Series this November.
The son of Bathurst 1000 winner Jason will contest the opening event of the series, at Sydney Motorsport Park, steering a Garry Rogers Motorsport-prepared entry – making his debut in the category and returning to his open-wheel roots.
Bargwanna raced Formula Ford open wheelers prior to jumping to the TCR Series this year.
Plans are only to contest the first round of the championship before returning his focus to completing a strong end to his TCR campaign at Mount Panorama two weeks later.
There he sits 11th in the standings – ahead of his father – but only 100 points from second position in the championship with the Bathurst round to come.
Bargwanna sampled the Rogers AF01/V8 chassis for the first time in a Winton test yesterday (Monday), under the guidance of multiple S5000 race winner and teammate, James Golding.
GRM has already confirmed Golding and Nathan Herne will contest the full Tasman Series, which offers a $50,000 prize fund across its seven races.
The opening round of the S5000 Tasman Series will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on November 19-21.
BEN BARGWANNA
“I am speechless, that was unreal! It’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever done, and I might have to trade in the TCR car for one of them, I think!” Bargwanna said.
“Sydney Motorsport Park is going to be awesome. Unfortunately, we can’t race the TCR cars but jumping in one of these beasts is going to be pretty awesome.
“I’ve had open wheeler experience before, but nothing like this – especially with the V8 power, it’s awesome.
“It’s a rush I just want to do again and again.
“Obviously it’s rear-wheel-drive and a lot more grunt so I just have to be a bit careful and go back to my Formula Ford grass roots and focus on that.
“The aero is cool, you turn into a corner and it sticks, it’s a really cool feeling. When you get to feel it for the real thing it’s unreal.
“Sydney Motorsport Park is a great track and it’s going to be really cool to run these things there.
“My expectations are just to do the best job I can. It’s my first time in it so all I can do is my best, learn as much as I can and have a bit of fun.”