News
Champion, fast Kiwi return in Team BRM S5000 attack
TEAM BRM will seek a record eighth Gold Star title following confirmation of a strong two-car attack on the 2022 S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship.
Reigning champion Joey Mawson will return to defend his crown, again driving the lead #1 TEAM FORM 700/ALABAR car.
Team BRM will also field a second Form 700/ALABAR entry at AWC Race Tasmania next week, with the driver to be announced in due course.
Additionally, young New Zealand talent Kaleb Ngatoa will return for a second season in S5000 in a third Team BRM entry, the 20-year-old a star addition to the grid last year in a rookie season that saw him claim two race wins.
Ngatoa will run with his NZ commercial support and backers.
Mawson’s return will see the Sydneysider look to become the first driver to defend his Australian Drivers’ Championship since Simon Wills claimed back-to-back Gold Star titles in 1999-2000.
Ironically, Wills’ two titles came aboard a Birrana Racing entry, the iconic Adelaide-based team’s record of seven Gold Stars matched by Team BRM last year.
Melbourne-based Form 700 is one of Australia’s leading construction firms, while the ALABAR horse breeding business is headed by former Formula Holden racer, Alan Galloway.
Form 700 / ALABAR-backed Team BRM entries finished 1-2 in last year’s championship and second in the Shannons Tasman Series late last year.
Ngatoa will make his return to S5000 this season following a brief stint racing US Formula 4 in the second half of 2022.
The Kiwi will relocate to South Australia, at least in the short term, due to the New Zealand border and quarantine restrictions and in a bid to be closer to the team.
After making his debut in the second round of the 2021 season – where he was immediately on the pace despite missing practice due to pandemic-related travel delays – Ngatoa was impressive last year and won races at Sandown and at Sydney Motorsport Park’s season finale.
The opening round of the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship kicks off at Symmons Plains next Friday, with all races to be broadcast live on Stan Sport and key races on the 9Network.
JOEY MAWSON
“I want to thank Form 700, ALABAR and my partners who have jumped on board for this upcoming season,” Mawson said.
“We had such an incredible season last year, and returning for a second season gives us a chance to build on what we started and keep pushing harder. We want to defend our championship.
“The championship is so competitive and there’s some new names and faces who are going to be a tough ask to beat, but I know I’ve got the team to do it.
“The new livery looks incredible and I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel at Symmons Plains, where we had success in 2021.”
KALEB NGATOA
“I can’t wait to get back out to Australia and go racing,” Ngatoa said.
“I learned so much last year and I’ve been working hard to put together the deal to go back, but for the full championship. The cars are great and I am eager to continue the learning process I began last year with BRM and hopefully translate that into a very competitive season.”
MARK RUNDLE – Team BRM Team Manager
“It’s great to lock in Joey, Form 700 and ALABAR for another season,” Rundle said.
“To win our seventh Australian Drivers’ Championship and Gold Star in the first year of S5000 was one of the highlights in our history as a team – but to chase a back-to-back title is even more exciting for us. Joey fits in brilliantly with our team – he’s a great guy, a superb driver and to have the opportunity to challenge for another title with him is excellent.
“We’ll have a surprise in the second Form 700 / ALABAR car for Tasmania that we’re looking forward to unveiling.
“What Kaleb did last season with such limited experience of both the car and the circuits was really very impressive, particularly at Philip Island where he had never driven on the circuit prior to qualifying.
“To win races against seasoned competitors like Joey Mawson and James Golding was impressive and with his additional time racing in the United States behind him, we are certainly confident Kaleb can be in contention for race wins and if he can do that he’ll be a championship challenger.”