ROOKIES IMPRESS IN S5000 MACHINES

Rookies impress in S5000 machines – Photo: Supplied

The S5000 evaluation test at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit has concluded with three young stars hopping behind the wheel of the V8 powered monsters.

By DAN McCARTHY

The trio of drivers, Trans Am driver Nathan Herne, Formula Ford competitor Cody Burcher and former karting star Cooper Webster each completed over 40 laps of the legendary Victorian Circuit.

The first two sessions were held under controlled conditions with Garry Rogers Motorsport S5000 driver James Golding leading the youngsters around the track, showing them racing lines and the driving style to get the most out of the V8-powered single-seaters.

The remainder of the day witnessed the young guns let loose around the 4.4km circuit with Golding staying on hand to offer advice.

Trans Am front runner Herne drove the car previously piloted by Luis Leeds and thoroughly enjoyed his first experience of an S5000 beast.

“They’re pretty cool, they’re like a Trans-Am but in an open-wheeler body,” said Herne.

“The S5000 is a rear-engined car so there was still a fair bit to get used to in terms of transferring the weight through the corners. The Trans-Ams really like to use the brakes hard in the mid-corner and get the weight transferred around but the S5000s require a smoother driving style, they don’t like to be flicked around but they’re good fun to drive.

“They are good to drive with the big Hoosier tyres on the back. Hoosiers are what I’ve been used to in Trans-Am so there were few things I could relate to with the same brand of tyre on the S5000s.”

Former karter Webster was given his opportunity to have a drive thanks to S5000 car and team owner Albert Callegher.

“What an experience it is to get to drive the S5000 around Phillip Island,” said Webster.

“I’ve learned so much in two sessions so far. I’ve never driven anything like this, so it’s been a great learning experience and it’s amazing how fast the car is and what you can do with the amount of aero grip it has.

“I’ve raced go karts and come out of Hyundai Excels and jumped into this S5000 open-wheeler car. A lot of things are different, it is more similar to a go-kart than an Excel but I’ve learnt the size of the tracks in Excels and how quick you can travel in a car but this has a lot more horsepower and weight added to it and the downforce is completely different to anything I have driven but I’m having fun learning it.”

Burcher had previously driven an S5000 machine at Winton shortly before the pandemic broke out and was lucky enough to jump into the car driven by FIA Formula 2 Championship driver and Williams F1 reserve driver Jack Aitken at the Grand Prix.

“They are great cars to drive, obviously a handful with the massive amount of power and there was definitely a lot of fish-tailing out of the low speed corners,” said Burcher.

“It’s credit to everyone who was involved in creating these cars, they are a weapon to drive and so much fun.

“This is the most powerful car I’ve ever driven. You drive out of the pits and as soon as you take off the pit limiter, it pushes you back further into the seat which is really cool.

“The power is the most standout part of the car and the top speed hitting over 290kph down the front straight of Phillip Island.

“It’s awesome fun, definitely an eye opener and your reflexes have to be on point but once you get used to it, they’re phenomenal to drive and so much fun.”

All three rookies said that they would consider more testing and racing in the category if the opportunity arises.

Victorian Formula Vee driver Reef McCarthy was at the test but did not complete a lap throughout the day.

The opening round of the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on August 14-15.

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