ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE S5000 DEBUT AT SANDOWN

MEDIA RELEASE/Australian S5000 Championship – Photo: Velocity Magazine – private test day SMP 2019

Australian open-wheel history made at the inaugural race for the all new S5000 category at Sandown Raceway this weekend.

Thirteen cars will hit the track for the first of two events in 2019, supporting the final rounds of the Shannons Nationals ahead of a full calendar of races in 2020.

Positioned as the premier open wheel class in the Australian region, the CAMS Australian S5000 Championship will hit Australian motorsport circuits in 2020. 

Boasting a brand-new FIA-approved Onroak/Ligier chassis, a powerful and cost-effective five-litre V8 engine and an all-Australian transmission system, S5000 is a bold, contemporary and modern class aimed at introducing young and aspiring drivers, as well as experienced professionals, to first-class open wheel racing.

A host of high-profile drivers, aspiring professionals and rookie racers make up the entry list for the opening event, headlined by the most experienced Formula 1 driver in history.

Rubens Barrichello, 11-time Grand Prix winner and five-times podium placer at the Australian Grand Prix, will return to a city where hundreds of thousands of fans cheered his name during his Formula 1 career. The popular Brazilian who made a record 322 GP starts, will feature in the debut event for Australia’s brand new premier open-wheel category.

Other notable entries include Indy 500 racer Matthew Brabham, former European open wheel driver John Martin, two-time Australian Driver’s Champion and Gold Star winner Tim Macrow, Carrera Cup champion Alex Davison and current TCR Australia Series leader Will Brown.

This weekend will see drivers fight it out in a unique Qualifying format including two Qualifying heat races using a partial grid reversal to set the grid for the feature 30-minute race on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s everything you need to know about how you can watch a history-making event as a new premier open-wheel formula goes racing in Australia.

FINAL S5000 SANDOWN GRID

8.  Alex Davison, Team BRM
11.  Michael Gibson, Australian Racing Enterprises
22.  Tom Alexander, AGi Sport
23.  Tim Macrow, MTEC Motorsport
24.  John Martin, AGi Sport
27.  Barton Mawer, Milldun Motorsport
31.  James Golding, Garry Rogers Motorsport
33.  Tim Berryman, Team BRM
34.  Ricky Capo, Modena Engineering
38.  Will Brown, Eggleston Motorsport
83.  Matt Brabham, MTEC Motorsport
97.  Taylor Cockerton, MTEC Motorsport
111.  Rubens Barrichello, Team BRM

S5000 Event: 1 of 2 for 2019
Circuit: Sandown Raceway, (3.10km, 13 turns)
Location: Springvale, Victoria
Event: Shannons Nationals (Round 6)
Support Categories: carsales TCR Australia Series, Super3 Series, CAMS Australian Endurance Championship, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia, Australian Production Car Series

SANDOWN S5000 TRACK TIMES

FRIDAY
PRACTICE 1 – 12:50pm
PRACTICE 2 – 3:25pm

SATURDAY
QUALIFYING – 11.15am
QUALIFYING HEAT 1 – 2.20pm (Live on SBS)

SUNDAY
QUALIFYING HEAT 2 – 10.05am
MAIN RACE – 2.15pm (Live on SBS)

S5000 BROADCAST DETAILS (Aust.)
Channel: SBS (FTA)
Saturday: 1pm-3pm AEST
Sunday: 12pm-3pm AEST
* Check your local guides for details

COMMENTARY LINE-UP

TCR – Aaron Noonan and Matt Naulty
TCR Pit Lane – Jack Perkins and Emma Notafranchesco
S5000 – Matt Naulty and Richard Craill
S5000 Pit Lane – Aaron Noonan and Jack Perkins

LIVE STREAM WILL BE AVAILABLE ON Velocity Magazines website and Facebook.

---

SUBSCRIBE TO VELOCITY MAGAZINE 

For all our news keep your eyes peeled on the Velocity Magazine website and social media, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for our daily updates and to get the latest edition of our glossy magazine subscribe here from just $55 for 12 months subscription.

GET OUR LATEST ISSUE NUMBER 33 HERE