S5000 CRASH MARS SUCCESSFUL DEBUT WEEKEND

S5000 crash mars successful debut weekend – Photo: InSyde Media

It wasn’t the dream ending S5000 was after. A big incident between Alex Davison and Matt Brabham overshadowed a successful debut for Australia’s new open-wheel series.

By HEATH McALPINE and DAN McCARTHY

After a clean opening two races, Brabham tapped the rear of Davison exiting the Turn 5 kink leading to the latter hitting the inside wall heavily, damaging the armco severely enough that the schedule postponed by an hour. Davison emerged from the car uninjured, but was incredibly disappointed by the situation.

“I’m really disappointed for everyone that the Feature Race got cancelled,” said Davison. “There was a fantastic anticipation and build up to that event and it became a non-event. I’m most disappointed for them, the team, ARG and GRM because it has ended up with a $300,000 wreck.”

Davison expressed his surprise that a driver with the resume of Brabham made such a mistake, which led to him pinballing down the back straight in what was a showcase for the S5000 category.

“It’s strange for a guy of his experience and talent, that he’d make such a misjudgement, especially what is a demonstration for the category,” Davison explained. “He was a guy like me, invited to take part and I know when I was in those situations, I took the safer option.

“Racing wheel-to-wheel I was being careful because there was nothing on the line, there isn’t a championship. I wanted to do well, but I wasn’t going to risk scratching the car or anything.”

Brabham also expressed disappointment about the incident and met with Davison to clear the air post-race.

“We just had a chat and we’re all good,” Brabham told Auto Action.

“It was just one of those things, I had a really good run and as we went through the kink, he was quite left and he chose to stay left, then there was still quite a lot of distance, so as I went right, he went left out of the kink.

“I don’t know if there was something with the bumps or whatever, but all of a sudden the closing speed was quite a lot more than it was before and I just nipped the back of the crash structure, which stick out quite far in these cars.

“I didn’t even feel it, but obviously he went hard into the left and immediately I was concerned about his safety.”

The incident hasn’t deterred Davison, who credited the S5000’s build quality for keeping him safe. The former Porsche star is keen to have another crack in the category when it heads to The Bend on November 15-17.

“Not how we wanted to finish I suppose there is a slight positive, it’s a testament to the work GRM have put into building the cars,” Davison said.

“I had a ball. It would be a pity to go through this process in getting up to speed and not get to put it into practice again.

“I really hope I get invited back again.”

Category manager Chris Lambden was overjoyed by the response from competitors and fans alike, though the ending wasn’t to script it highlighted the safety of these cars.

“Overall the weekend was fabulous,” Lambden reflected. “The cars were fast as we expected and as spectacular as expected, there was a massive crowd here today for this event. Alex is fine and the car stood up really well, in fact it’s the fence that’s screwed.”

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.