Big banger F5000 makes track debut

An attempt to resurrect the world famous Tasman Series has taken one step closer to reality following successful shakedown tests of a new 5.0-litre V8-powered open wheeler that could become the blueprint for a new race series.

The one-day test, held at Winton Motor Raceway, Victoria, saw Australian Formula 3 champ, Tim Macrow, carry out system checks on the prototype's engine, transmission and on-board electronics.

The race car, created for the Formula Thunder 5000 race series was said to have performed faultlessly by the series creator, and former racer, Chris Lambden.

With its next public outing this October 29 at the Muscle Car Masters event, held at Sydney Motorsport Park, Lambden told Motorsport.com he hoped the F5000 prototype would be able to "stretch its legs a bit".

The prototypes spec has yet to be confirmed by the series creator but it's thought the open wheeler is based on existing a Swift Formula Nippon chassis to cut costs.

Powering the racer is a 425kW Ford Coyote 5.0-litre V8.

Keeping weight at around 680kg, the new racers will easily be capable of speeds in excess of 320km/h (depending on gearing and track).

Lambden hopes his F5000 will become “a great advertisement for the Australian motorsport industry” since the quad-cam engine is built and developed by InnoV8 in Brisbane, while the six-speed sequential ‘box is supplied from Victoria-based Holinger Engineering.

Inspired by the 1960s Tasman Series, that once attracted such greats as Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Graham Hill and Jim Clark (because it was held in our summer during the European winter), Lambden's aim for the new series is to encourage a new generation of talented young racers.

The proposed race series that begins next December (2017) has been created around just seven races held over December and January in both Australia and New Zealand.

For it to be viable, Lambden says he needs to build 20 cars per season. Each car is rumoured to cost around $230,000.

The F5000 car has been developed both to be not only fast, but also challenging to drive.

A further demo run held on November 1 at Queensland Raceway has also been confirmed by the series creator with more shakedown tests to be held at Philip Island in mid-November.