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New V8 single-seater series makes late chassis, name switch

Australia's new 560-horsepower open-wheeler series will now be known as S5000 and underpinned by a Formula 3-style chassis complete with Halo.

Andrew van Leeuwen

Edited: Aug 22, 2018, 8:49 PM

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S5000 car rendering

The retro-themed open-wheeler category had planned to base itself on a Formula Nippon-spec Swift chassis, however compliance issues with the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport has led to a re-think.

The V8-powered cars will now be built around a current model Onroak-Ligier carbon fibre tub – used for the new US Formula 3 series – which includes a full safety cell and the Halo head protection device now mandatory in Formula 1.

With that move CAMS has now signed off on the new-for-2019 series, as well as granting category management rights to Australian Racing Group, which has also recently taken over the promotion of the TCR Australia series.

There's also been a last-minute name change; original embargoed media documents were circulated under the 'Super5000' banner, however discussions with Supercars led to an 11th hour retraction and re-distribution of materials using 'S5000' as the name.

Outside of the chassis, series organisers have finally locked down the exact technical make-up of the cars. They will be powered by a five-litre Ford Coyote Aluminator crate engine pumping out 560 horsepower, matched to a Holinger six-speed sequential gearbox and driven through massive 17-inch rear tyres.

Having those specs nailed down ends a rollercoaster saga for the category thus far.

It started with racer-turned-publisher Chris Lambden announcing plans to run a retro-style V8-powered open-wheeler category, only for Supercars to launch its own very similar proposal shortly afterwards.

After a short feud the two Formula 5000-style categories ultimately joined forces, which led to a tense period of negotiations as to which technical aspects of each proposal would be put into action.

Ultimately the running gear package has come from Lambden's original proposal, while the chassis has come from neither Lambden or Supercars thanks to the compliancy issues with CAMS.

"It’s been an interesting pathway over the past three-and-a-half years to get to this point, but what we’re now going to be able to offer Australian motorsport is actually better than I had ever thought we could achieve,” said Lambden.

“The 2018 FIA-spec Onroak-Ligier tub, amalgamated with the V8 engine and Holinger rear end makes up a totally contemporary S5000 car that is going to blow people away.

"It will retain the modest downforce and mechanical grip elements that we have aimed for, so it’s going to be fast and safe and, at last, we have a serious, spectacular, high-level open wheeler category – perhaps Australia’s version of IndyCar …

“There have been a lot of people expressing interest in getting involved, and with CAMS now ticking off the car and the championship series, it is well and truly on”

The series is yet to confirm its schedule for its inaugural season, however the late name change suggests discussions with Supercars are ongoing.

FULL TECHNICAL SPECS

CHASSIS
Carbon composite monocoque – 2018 FIA compliant, produced by Onroak (France)
Dimensions
Length 4900mm
Width: 1950mm
Wheelbase: 3000mm

SUSPENSION
Double wishbone, front and rear
Pushrod adjustable ride, front/rear
Front/rear adjustable anti-roll bars
JRi three-way adjustable shock absorbers

BRAKES
Four-piston monobloc calipers
Vented steel rotors

FIA APPROVALS
2018 FIA front crash structure
2018 FIA rear crash structure
2018 FIA side-impact structures
2018 FIA cockpit halo
2018 FIA side and front intrusion panels
2018 FIA-spec 6-point harness
2018 FIA-spec 6Kj wheel tethers
2018 FIA headrest
2018 FIA-spec extractable seat

ENGINE
Fuel-injected 5.0-litre quad-cam V8 Ford Coyote ‘Aluminator’
Prepared to Super5000 spec by InnoV8 (Brisbane)
Max horsepower: 560hp
Max torque: 460 ft-lbs
Max rpm: 8000rpm
Electronics/dash: MoTeC

TRANSMISSION
Holinger MFT six-speed sequential transaxle, with pneumatic paddle change, includes bespoke (front) drop gear set for lower engine height and thus lower car centre of gravity
Holinger-designed bell-housing with integral oil tank.
Gearbox/bellhousing include suspension pick-up points and shock-absorber mounts

WHEELS & TYRES
15 x 17 inch rear, 15 x 12 inch front wheels
Rear tyre: 680/405-15
Front tyre: 570/290-15

Photo by: S5000

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