S5000 creator Chris Lambden departs ARG role.

Drivers racing S5000 cars competed for the Australian Drivers Championship for several years.

By Bruce Williams

Date posted: 20 January 2023

S5000 creator Chris Lambden departs ARG role.

AUTO ACTION can confirm that Chris Lambden, the man who conceived and developed what has become the S5000 Australian Gold Star Championship car, has departed category manager, the Australian Racing Group, where he had been most recently contracted as S5000 Development Manager.

After nearly five years of tenure within the ARG Group, the change is due, we understand, to a budgetary restructure within the ARG organisation, owned primarily by Barry Rogers and minor share holder John McMellan.

Lambden, the former motorsport competitor and media identity (Auto Action Editor from 1984 to 1988 and publisher of Australasian Motorsport News, from 1993 to 2011), first dreamed up the idea of a modern all-Australian V8-powered single-seater category in 2015, after briefly dipping a toe into historic Formula 5000 racing, with a McRae GM1.

The birth of a new big banger open-wheel formula for Australia.

After investigating options and co-opting respected Formula Ford constructor and engineer Michael Borland’s involvement, the first FT5000 prototype, based on a Swift Formula Nippon tub, with the Ford Coyote engine/Holinger gearbox combination, was designed, completed and unveiled (and featured on Auto Action’s cover) in late 2016.

FT5000 – All Carbon – Adam Macrow pilots in first test at Winton 2017

FT5000 – A modern take of the Big Banger open-wheeler race car on public debut at SMP in 2017

NZ open-wheel legend Kenny Smith samples the original FT5000 prototype, sans the high air-box at a Pukekohe demonstration

There were several challenges along the way, including the 2017 commissioning of a ‘copy-cat’ car by Supercars (ultimately discarded when the two projects merged thanks to the intervention of long-time motorsport supporter Brian Boyd), and then Motorsport Australia’s insistence on a more current car spec (resolved with the adoption of the Onroak-Ligier tub, including ‘halo’, ultimately being approved).

A revised-modern take on Chris Lambden’s vision – S5000 is launched.

The final production version, as the modern S5000 handed over to GRM after first official test – Photo: Supplied

With the support and investment by Brian Boyd and ARG, the revised car, the more modern and FIA friendly S5000 was unveiled in December 2018, and completed demonstration laps at the Supercars finale at Newcastle.

At the same time, Garry Rogers stepped forward, offering GRM’s facilities – and capital – to build cars.

With some design ‘productionising’, the first batch of cars was completed for a spectacular launch event at Sandown late in 2019 – under the auspices of the then newly-launched Australian Racing Group.

At the same time, Lambden was embraced by the Australian Racing Group, where he became the S5000 Development Manager, a position he has held until recently.

The Covid-induced cancellation of the 2020 Australian F1 GP, and its S5000 races, heralded a tough period for all motorsport, including S5000.

However, the category’s most recent event – on the spectacular VALO Adelaide 5000 circuit in December – points to the potential for the category, which enjoys significant race fan support.

Lambden, however, will for the first time have no formal involvement – although he retains shared ownership (with F5000 enthusiast Frank Harris) of the #23 car raced to date by Tim Macrow.

Tim Macrow – S5000 – AGP 2020

There had been some talk around since the successful Adelaide 500-S5000 program, that Lambden may no longer have an official capacity with S5000.

When contacted by AUTO ACTION, Lambden confirmed that he was no longer officially involved with the category and expressed his disappointment with the situation.

“That’s correct – I’m not contracted to ARG as of New Year,” Lambden confirmed when approached by AA.

“While I have had terrific support in the development of S5000, there’s been a few recent changes within ARG, some new faces along the way, and I guess it’s fair to say we weren’t able to agree on my continuation in the S5000 role.

“While that’s a bit frustrating, I remain S5000’s number one supporter and fan and will be doing whatever I can to aid its future growth.

“It’s been quite a trip from the first ‘thought-bubble’ seven years ago, with some interesting road humps along the way, but I’m 100 per cent convinced, with good management, of the category’s viability and future.

“Adelaide was a great S5000 event – probably the best yet – so I look forward to ARG building on that.”

A positive influence in S5000-ongoing

A big field of S5000 cars charge into the chicane, captured at 2022 Supercars R13 – Adelaide 500 by Jack Martin Photography.

Liam Curkpatrick, Chief Operating Officer of the Australian Racing Group and an important player in the S5000 categories development, praised Lambden, but also highlighted that the development phase of the category has finished.

“Chris has been such an important part of the creation of this wonderful racing category. All along he’s been important part of the category’s development, and I can absolutely confirm there are no issues going forward with him.

“I have a huge amount of respect for Chris, and I have always enjoyed working with him on the development of the S5000 category.

“We are all on good terms and I know that he will still have an important and positive role in the development of the category into the future.” Curkpatrick told AA.