Grand Prix driver for S5000 debut

A former grand prix front-runner is being courted to lead Australia into the S5000 era next month.

World champions Jenson Button and Jacques Villeneuve have both been discussed as potential starters when the V8-powered open-wheeler category goes live at Sandown Park Raceway on September 20.

Organisers from the Australian Racing Group have been working the plan for several months while testing of the S5000 car has shifted into top gear, although no-one inside the camp is prepared to name any names.

“Yes, we are looking for a high-profile driver for S5000. No, we are not ready to talk about it,” says one of the senior ARG management.

An announcement of the guest star could come as early as this week as the S5000 crew work on deals, including testing at Phillip Island, to fill seats.

Todd Kelly, the former Supercars racer and team boss in both the new carsales TCR Australia Series and Supercars, completed track laps with the car during the TCR meeting at Queensland Raceway and, despite a high-speed spin after an oil-cooler drama, reported a positive experience from the behind the wheel.

“It’s good… Fun,” said Kelly.

Kelly could be fielding two cars at Sandown, although not doing any driving, as the 14 S5000 cars are completed at the Melbourne workshop of fellow team boss, Garry Rogers.

“They are all on track for final assembly. We had a delay with machining of some parts but we’re over that,” reports Rogers.

According to Rogers, it will cost between $33,000 and $40,000 to put an S5000 car on the grid for each meeting. The lower price estimate is based on a driver with their own pit crew and tyres, the higher is for an arrive-and-drive package with the GRM crew including staff for the weekend.

“We’re still working out the final pricing, but that’s the ballpark,” Rogers says.

The lead-up to Sandown will begin with a five-car test at Phillip Island on August 28, for funded drivers keen to try before they buy, to be followed by a full-grid hit-out in the week before the inaugural event.

Among the youngsters who are keen to compete is Will Brown, a former open-wheel champion in Formula 4 who currently leads the TCR series in a Hyundai i30 N.

“I’d love to do it. I don’t have any money, but I’m keen,” Brown laughs.

John Martin, a one-time Aussie open-wheeler ace and driver in Le Mans sports cars, had a bunch of track time at QR and completed worthwhile testing on tyres and aero parts.

He is now re-starting his career in TCR with a Honda Civic Type R but is keen to jump into an S5000 at Sandown.

“The car is quick. It would be even quicker with more aero, but I guess they want cars that can race,” Martin says.

Martin pushed the S5000 prototype to the edge and beyond, with some big slides at QR, although running around 1.5sec slower than the track record of 64.0661sec set by Simon Wills in 1999 in a Formula Holden.

“If we cranked on more wing I’m sure we could get the record,” he said.

According to ARG, there are several teams and drivers who are interested in fielding S5000 cars at Sandown, while Kelly Racing is likely to run 2-4 cars and GRM can handle up to six with its existing workforce.

ARG is continuing to push its package in Australian motorsport and is closing on a deal with the booming TA2 category for V8-powered, rear-wheel drive American muscle cars.

There are around 40 TA2 cars in Australia, with more on the way, and ARG is looking to add the class to its TCR race weekends in 2020.

A final sign-off on a deal between TCR and ARG is likely following a competitor’s meeting at the next TA2 event at Winton in Victoria from August 17-18.