RYAN HOW MOVES CLOSER TO RACING RETURN

Former GT racer Ryan How is looking to return to motorsport this year and S5000 looks likely to be his next challenge after a successful test day at Winton Raceway last week.

How made waves as a teenager in the Trophy class of the then-Australian GT Championship (now GT World Challenge Australia), winning two races in 2018 before taking victory in the first six races of 2019.

A heavy crash at Barbagallo ruined How’s campaign that year and his Audi R8 has since been sold.

Now the 20-year-old is looking to relaunch his career in an open wheeler, targeting an S5000 berth later this year after completing a test program in Tim Macrow Racing’s UCS Group #23 car.

“It was crazy – it’s been a while since I last drove a race car, and that was a GT3 Audi,” How said.

“The S5000 is completely different – so direct, and the G-forces are strong. First time out is quite an experience!

“It’s Tim’s car, so there was a limit to what we could do to accommodate my frame, which meant my shoulders and arms were a bit restricted, but we can soon adjust all that once we have access to our own car.

“The S5000 car was everything I expected it to be and I can’t wait to take the next step.”

How will look to enter an upcoming round of this year’s S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship as part of an expanded Tim Macrow Racing S5000 outfit.

Macrow himself was full of praise for How’s first crack at steering an S5000 machine.

“Ryan did a great job – he completed over 50 laps, approached it very sensibly, without a scratch or anything, and the times were coming down steadily all day,” Macrow said.

“His data was really good, so we very much hope we and he can get it all together to join the S5000 grid soon.

“One more good solid test day – in his own car, so we can get the ergonomics that bit better – and he’ll be in a position to race with confidence.”

The next round of the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship will see the field take to the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit in Victoria, from March 18-20.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action.