GET OUT YOUR CREDIT CARDS and go to the bank: Australia’s new big-banger open wheel category is ready to take your order.

WORDS: Richard Craill / S5000 Media Release

Garry Rogers Motorsport, in charge of both the build and sales / lease of S5000 racers, has confirmed they’re open for business as they count down to the opening two rounds of the category scheduled for later this year.

After rigorous testing, and with the design and construction template of the all-Australian engineered machine now set in stone, GRM is now ready to speak with potential purchasers or discuss ‘arrive and drive’ packages ahead of the very-first S5000 race at Sandown on September 20-22.

S5000 has confirmed that it will host a minimum of two events this year, with Sandown in September followed by a race event at The Bend Motorsport Park, South Australia, in November. 

These two races will prelude an exciting 2020 S5000 Championship Series as part of the ARG portfolio and racing calendar, with a great mix of events set to be confirmed in the coming months. 

Five cars are currently under construction at GRM’s Melbourne base, while the nine-remaining chassis’ are on their way from the United States.

The cars will arrive later this month, taking to 14 the available number of cars, including the prototype and test vehicle that has been running this year.

GRM has been preparing parts in batches to ensure a streamlined and scaleable production process upon arrival of the tubs.

While the sights and sounds of the S5000 cars will leave onlookers in awe, it is the local engineering feats that has GRM excited about the future of this brand-new category.

Team owner and Australian racing legend Garry Rogers says that the S5000 is an all-Australian engineering masterpiece, with the FIA-approved Onroak safety cell (tub), and the US-based race engine the only ‘non-Aussie’ components in the 560 horsepower open-wheel beasts.

After GRM took over the technical lead on the project late last year, one of the key instructions Rogers gave his team of trusted engineers, designers and mechanics was to produce a car that would be “as Australian as possible.” 

“Once we took over this project, our goal was to see a pure race car represent the best of what Australian racing engineers and manufacturers could muster,” said Garry Rogers.

“Our mantra was ‘Whatever could be made in Australia, it had to be.’

“The wheels that were part of the original car were being sourced from overseas. But when we spoke to Max Dumesny, he was keen to be involved, and knowing he could make them locally and had the necessary expertise to do this, we went with it.”

Formerly sourced from European and American suppliers on the original S5000 concept, the controlled S5000 specs now feature suspension, uprights, wheels and engine components designed and manufactured by Australian companies.

GRM has further evolved and productionised the newly-approved suspension originally developed by Borland Racing, while the all-new uprights have been designed and built in conjunction with Holinger, world-famous suppliers off the car’s six-speed sequential gearbox. 

The wheels have been designed by GRM and built by Max Wheels, part of the Max Dumesny Motorsport empire, while the quad cam V8 race engine has enhanced performance modifications by Queensland-based engine specialist Roger Higgins of InnoV8. 

“For the engine, there were off the shelf parts that we could have bought from the States, but we decided to get them manufactured locally with the assistance of InnoV8,” Rogers said.

“Through my 55 years in business, I’ve always tried to improve young people, and the best way to do this is to make them think and give them responsibility. The mere requirement to bolt on parts that arrive in a box teaches people very little, whereas if they have to come up with a solution and design, manufacture and fit what is required, it teaches them life-long skills.

”At GRM, we have a significant composite department and alongside LC Composites in Braeside, Vic, we have designed and manufactured many of the composite components that have made up the S5000.

“Australian manufacturing has been left in the dark in recent times, and this is our way to ensure that Aussies continue to be employed and their business continue to have their doors stay open.

“This is a great car, and it’s going to be a category that we can all be proud of. Formula Ford has been the category that has waved the open-wheel flag in Australia for many years, and now we’ll have a high speed open-wheel option which will not only be a crowd favourite, but it will be safe and cost-effective.”

So, while the Australian motoring manufacturing sector is in decline, the all-new S5000 class can hold its head high, with Australian know how leading the charge as the category’s eagerly anticipated debut looms.

Deals to buy or lease the S5000 cars are now available with interested parties welcome to contact Garry Rogers Motorsport for further information.

Phone >> 03 9793 6933 / Email >> Click here