S5000 confirms 13-car order, Supercars team tech deal

With one car already operational in Australia, series organisers have now ordered another 13 chassis from Onroak-Ligier in the US.

Once completed the chassis will be shipped to Supercars squad GRM, which has inked a deal to complete the first batch of S5000 cars and manage ongoing parts support.

The GRM deal will work in conjunction with an existing technical tie-up with Borland Racing Developments, which has done the leg work on the prototype that was unveiled last month.

“The commitment by GRM to the production of S5000 cars is a fantastic vote of confidence by them in the formula and the CAMS Australian S5000 Championship,” said category manager Chris Lambden. 

“The facility and personnel available at GRM will be a big boost to the production process, following on from the design and development of the car, overseen by Michael Borland, who will still be involved in a consultancy role.

"Following the successful launch, the recent demo runs with the first car and the reaction to it, this is another crucial box ticked in terms of delivering what we expect will be a super addition to the Australian and New Zealand motorsport scene.

"Production of the first batch of S5000 cars is now under way and 2019 is looking pretty exciting.”

GRM boss Garry Rogers, a veteran of the Aussie motorsport scene, added that he's looking forward to seeing the 560-horsepower series bring big-banger open-wheeler racing back to life.

“We’ve taken on the opportunity to get these S5000 cars built, completed and ready to go for 2019,” he said.

“I have no doubt that we have the workforce to be able to do this.  

“This is a serious open-wheeler racing category. This new S5000 car will be safer, stronger, more durable and the reliability factor will be enormous compared to what they used to be.

“Back in the '70s, Formula 5000, with flames and sparks, provided very exciting racing. With S5000, I have no doubt that Australia has a real chance here. The rest of the world is toning down on motorsport, and we need to tone up. 

“These cars will tone up and give Australian motorsport fans a really exciting spectacle.”