S5000 racing still a possibility

The sight of S5000 racing in 2024 is far from impossible, with GRM’s Barry Rogers hoping to produce a calendar in the second half of the year – on one condition.

It will all hinge on whether or not the contentious Supercars driver entry requirements are dumped.

For the past two years, Supercars maintained a requirement that, regardless of any other qualifying process, drivers must contest six Super2 events before being permitted to race in premier category.

Although that requirement was recently halved for drivers coming from Carrera Cup and Super3, it has remained a major barrier for drivers in many relevant national categories, including TCR, S5000 and Trans Am.

S5000 suffered a tough 2023 with the grid reaching double figures in just two of the six rounds and a return in 2024 is currently up in the air.

Believing the Supercars entry requirements are having a negative impact on a number of national categories, S5000 has sent a clear message by parking the V8 powered open-wheelers until those requirements are changed.

Despite no calendar being made public, Rogers said racing can be possible in the second half of the season if the situation changes, having ruled out the possibility of the cars being moved overseas.

“It is a shame the year is already going but, hopefully, the matter gets resolved,” he told AUTO ACTION.

“If it does we will reassess in the second half of the year and we could put a decent calendar together.

“We are in no hurry and are reluctant to send them overseas because if we did that, Australia would never get them again.

“Our intention is for that not to happen … so we will see what unfolds.”

Rogers said the decision has been made to create a better future for not just S5000, but Australian motorsport as a whole and confirmed drivers, teams and sponsors are supportive of keeping the cars off the track for now.

“Many drivers in Australia aspire to be in Supercars, which is wonderful, but unfortunately the door on S5000, and other categories, being a pathway to the pinnacle of the sport has been slammed shut,” he said.

“As a result, we have struggled to attract drivers to the category.

“It is incumbent on all of us to lower those barriers to keep people within the sport rather then making them give up because they don’t have enough money.”

Image: Race Project

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