Formula S5000 Australia

[Armco Bender]

Originally Posted by Armco Bender View Post
Elvis might return sooner than this class ever turns a wheel.

Yum yum this humble pie tastes great..

Its good to see its finally happening as I'm actually a big F5000 fan.

[Formulahistory]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

RUBENS BARRICHELLO TO MAKE OPEN WHEEL RETURN IN S5000

https://www.s5000.com.au/f1-legend-r...turn-in-s5000/

excellent news although it's just for the season opener-

[Tourer]

Will be interesting to see how many run and where they sit on the "performance pyramid" via lap times.

In them olden days, F5000s were quick enough to make an F1 grid and to sometimes run in combined grids with F1 cars. These cars will be nothing like that quick in relative terms.

The FIA these days has a series of parameters that categories need to fit within and that ends up applying to the circuits they can run on, engine power, tyre / wing sizes etc. Australian circuits are category 3 and the car is built around an F3 tub (also category 3).

That means that the tyre sizes, wing sizes, power output are all restricted & whilst I'd expect them to be quicker than an F3 car, not sure how much quicker or how well balanced they'll be overall - certainly the demo runs at QR had the car looking like a big time understeerer but that may have just been how they were running it on that weekend.

Sandown with its long straights should play to the strengths of the category and no doubt they'll sound good so we'll all have a much better idea on the potential for this category once we see what happens there.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Tourer

Will be interesting to see how many run and where they sit on the "performance pyramid" via lap times.

In them olden days, F5000s were quick enough to make an F1 grid and to sometimes run in combined grids with F1 cars. These cars will be nothing like that quick in relative terms.

The FIA these days has a series of parameters that categories need to fit within and that ends up applying to the circuits they can run on, engine power, tyre / wing sizes etc. Australian circuits are category 3 and the car is built around an F3 tub (also category 3).

That means that the tyre sizes, wing sizes, power output are all restricted & whilst I'd expect them to be quicker than an F3 car, not sure how much quicker or how well balanced they'll be overall - certainly the demo runs at QR had the car looking like a big time understeerer but that may have just been how they were running it on that weekend.

Sandown with its long straights should play to the strengths of the category and no doubt they'll sound good so we'll all have a much better idea on the potential for this category once we see what happens there.

Sounds bit like what we had back along with the A1GP-F3 performance comparisons

[johnh875]

A few more drivers have been announced for the debut race at Sandown. As well as Rubens Barrichello, there is Tim Macrow, Tom Alexander, Matt Brabham, John Martin, Michael Gibson and Will Brown.

They have also announced a different kind of qualifying/race format, with two heat races that determine the grid for the feature race. After qualifying, the pole position winner gets to select their grid spot for the first heat, followed by subsequent drivers. The top 75% of the grid is then reversed for the second heat.

The announcement says that the results of the heat races will set the grid for the Main Race, but does not give details of how this is achieved. If nothing else it will ensure that things are not predictable!

https://www.s5000.com.au/radical-s50...o-excite-fans/

[champcarman]

Now 8 drivers with Barton Mawer joining in, some well credentialed drivers so should be a good competition.

[johnh875]

After two practice sessions at 1:06 they're slightly slower than the fastest historic F5000 car (add them to the grid!?!) and slightly faster than the 2014 F3 lap record. About 3 sec faster than GT3 or Supercars.

It is expected to rain for this afternoon's race, but should be dry tomorrow if colder.

[johnh875]

I'd written a summary the other day of the Sunday races I saw and other aspects of the weekend (great access to the teams, garages and drivers at the right time!), but managed to lose it. It was a shame the main race was spoiled, but these things happen sometimes. Might have another go at writing later, but in the interim here are a couple of photos from the weekend.

[champcarman]

Today at The Bend Tom Randle topped the times however his best lap was about half a second slower than the F3
Lap record!

[johnh875]

I saw the telecast and it was an impressive display by Randle. I didn't realise the lap was slower than F3 however it was the first time Randle had been in the car so I dare say he could improve. It will be interesting to see what can happen in 12 months' time.

Next race - support at the Albert Park GP!

[Formulahistory]

Barrichello said he wants to drive S5000 for a second time.

[Juntos]

How much did he get paid last time?

[Formulahistory]

I think everyone is getting paid. Of course not that much as Barrichello maybe, but for now the organizer are paying the whole series what I understand and that's why the series will be dead in at least 2 or 3 years.

[Juntos]

From a certain point onward there is no longer any turning back. Pay seats don't go along with junior formulas.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by champcarman

Today at The Bend Tom Randle topped the times however his best lap was about half a second slower than the F3
Lap record!

The lap time is irrelevant, the F3 would be running soft tyres for a short race, the s5000s are currently running very hard and durable tyres suitable for ragging a much heavier car.
Softer tyres would more than wipe the deficit. (Bigger wings too.)
I hope they don't feel the need to go there!

[peebee2]

Nice theory but the Oz F3 tyres are incredibly hard and you can literally do one set for the whole season. Plus they’re not exactly top spec cars either.