Adelaide S5000 – Missed opportunity

In the wake of this week’s call by S5000 ‘creator’ Chris Lambden for Motorsport Australia to over-rule Supercars’ licensing requirements, which he says discriminates against several categories, including S5000, a tale has emerged of another recent blow taken by the category.

The recent VAILO Adelaide 500 finale was dealt a late blow by Motorsport Australia, with an internationally experienced racer, just 13 weeks under Australia’s S5000 age minimum, refused an exemption to race.

But it wasn’t just any international driver. Having arranged for ex-F1 star Giancarlo Fisichella to guest star at the VAILO Adelaide 500 last year,  Lambden had a double-act agreed that would have created obvious category and event interest.

The proposed artwork of the Fittipaldi S5000 car. Image: SS Media/Scott Yorston

“Yes … Would you believe, 1972/74 World F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi was coming, to take on an ambassadorial role for S5000 and the event; along with son Emmerson Junior – ‘Emmo’ – who was going to race S5000,” confirms Lambden.

Despite two full years racing in international F4 in Europe, and this year in European Formula 3 Regional (the FIA age minimum being 16), MA’s Australian Motor Sport Commission refused an exemption for Emmerson to race here (Australia’s age minimum for S5000 has been set at 17).

“While MA’s committee was being convened – we’d approached MA first-up – everything else was in place: travel, team, sponsorship, pre-event testing … even the car livery, which was to honour Emmerson’s 1974 McLaren championship winner.

Giancarlo Fisichella leads the S5000 field through the Senna Chicane. Image: Jack Martin Photography

“Everyone involved felt it was a fairly straightforward and reasonable request, but it had to go to this AMSC Commission … 

“They said no, and went on about safety; power-to-weight; FIA …  In the end, it’s just easier to say no than apply some common sense, isn’t it.

“There have been perfectly competent S5000 debutants here with a fraction of Emmo’s experience – Cooper Webster came from Hyundai Excels! – yet this group could not accept a very competent and safe young driver with three years international single-seater experience … Yes, I questioned their decision!

Emerson Fittipaldi celebrates his second world championship in 1974 at Watkins Glen. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images

“And furthermore, there was no appeal – an MA Commission decision apparently cannot be questioned/overturned. So much for natural justice.

“So yes, I was pretty frustrated and annoyed. I had to call an all-time F1 hero of mine and tell him that unfortunately, Australian motorsport couldn’t see its way to allowing his son to race.

“So yes, add that to the MA Bathurst ban (the only category in Australia), based on a load of ‘assumptions’ rather than facts, and other restrictions, and you can see why you could conclude that MA has some strange sort of resistance to S5000 …”

The current AMSC is made up of:

Ryan Story (Chair) – Partner, DJR
Vince Ciccarello (Deputy Chair) – MA official
Matt Braid – Former CEO, ARG
Andrew Jones – Former racer, driver mentor and TV commentator
Craig Fletcher – Former manager, Australian F1 Grand Prix.

AUTO ACTION’s latest issue #1875, is out now in its digital form downloadable right here, and available in all good newsagents and stockists near you, continuing on as Australia’s most trusted independent voice in motorsport.

If you can’t get a copy locally, you can also subscribe to the latest issue of Auto Action print or digital edition of the magazine here. For more of the latest motorsport news.