THE original plans for two potentially parallel Australian ‘F5000-style’ open-wheeler race car projects have now progressed significantly with the confirmation that both projects are now fully integrated and aligned.

The parties behind the S5000 concept and the FT5000 concept had never met, but both clearly had the same focus – which was to bring dynamic, exciting open wheeler racing back to motorsport in the region.

With both parties keen to explore the opportunity to meet face-to-face, it was veteran racer John Bowe who assisted in facilitating the introductions.

Today the parties that initiated the development and prototype build of the ‘Super5000’ chassis together with FT5000 constructor Chris Lambden have announced that they will work together to develop one car.

They have confirmed that they will incorporate beneficial technical elements from the FT5000 and S5000 to create a single ‘5000-style’ car, ensuring rapid progress towards the spectacular V8 open-wheeler category that both set out to achieve.

Work has already commenced on the merged project under the overarching S5000 project umbrella, with further testing and development planned for both chassis as part of a detailed technical evaluation.

It is anticipated that a combination of elements of both projects along with some new enhancements will result in a revised final technical spec which will be revealed in the coming months. There will now be one combined concept that draws upon the best elements available.

It is expected that a field of cars will contest a series of key feature races from mid-2018.

“This is the significant step forward which will allow the concept of a modern 5000-style race car and series to actually happen, and happen well, which is what we both started out to do. I am more than pleased with the way we have been able to reach this solution, which I happily endorse and support,” said Formula Thunder 5000 founder Chris Lambden.

“I’d like to thank John Bowe who, knowing all the parties involved, organised an initial meeting with John McMellan (Wilson). It was from this meeting that John McMellan basically said ‘Let’s just get this sorted and find the solution to work together.’

“He then coordinated bringing all the relevant parties together and from there it all came together very quickly and easily.

“The one thing that became apparent quite soon was that we all are primarily what I’d call ‘motorsport people’, and our motivation for getting into all this was the same. It didn’t take that long to agree a sensible way forward.

“I’d really like to acknowledge and thank everyone who has supported our efforts to date and reassure them that this outcome will result in a ‘5000-style’ race car and series that will be well worth coming to see.”

Added John McMellan from Wilson Security: “I think it’s important to highlight that the team at PAYCE, who are involved in the development of the S5000, have been responsible for the progress that has been made in getting both parties aligned.  I merely assisted in the parties coming together after JB and I met with Chris. This decision to work together is a credit to their vision and flexibility.

“It’s also good to have Chris on board, who will play a role in the ongoing technical discussion.

“An outcome such as this will only result in a better outcome both commercially and technically as well as for the sport.

“The project team will take the best elements of both designs and thinking along with some other new thoughts to ensure we have a stand-out category that results in exciting, fast and action-packed open-wheeler racing.”

THE RACE TORQUE:

WELL, isn’t this just a good thing to wake up to on a Monday morning. 

It could be the best bit of industry news all year: in the eyes of purists this is going to ring more bells than the launch of a new Ute category, for instance.

Though the commercial sustainability of it (or lack thereof) is yet to be determined, there still remains an underground push for this region to have a top flight open wheel category.

It seemed incredible to all and sundry that Australia went from having zero ‘top level’ open wheel categories in the pipeline to two of them in the space of a year – but it happened.

One of them, Formula Thunder 5000, had enormously positive fan support and public recognition but no serious backers to underwrite it.

The other, Super5000, had been generally maligned by punters since its launch but was financially backed by serious players who have the wherewithal to get it off the ground.

For a while there it looked like were were on the road to another CART-versus-IRL war without actually having a series to cannibalise in the first place. Those of us who knew parties in both camps but with no real means to get them together just sat there and shook our heads in bewilderment at the whole debacle.

So the news that John Bowe, a three-time Gold Star winner in open wheel racing before he became famous for his beard and Touring Car excellence, brokered a form of peace between both parties is absolutely sensational for anyone who likes the sport.

I truly hope that this works. Does it mean scrapping two prototype cars? Yes. Put them in a museum dedicated to common sense and move on.

Does it mean that the best aspects of each can be combined? Hope so. No one really ‘got’ the concept of using old Supercar engines and gearboxes in the Super5000 car given their expense (engines are $100K) when the crate motor in the FT5000 racer ticked a price point box.

But then the S5000 has the Supercar connections – and don’t lie to yourself that a place on that program is all important for gaining sponsorship, because it is – and the backing that can help get it off the ground.

So merge the best bits of both and make it happen.

The best bit is, as both parties stated in the release above, is that clearly both sides of this equation are Motorsport fans.

All going well, these racing fans have ensured that fans of racing everywhere will end up winning should a series get off the ground.

Richard Craill
The Race Torque.