ELMS race winner to partake in S5000 test

European Le Mans Series race winner Ricky Capo will partake in tomorrow’s S5000 evaluation test day at Phillip Island.

Capo, who won the LMP3 class in the 2017 4 Hours of Monza, will join the likes of TCR driver John Martin and Formula 4 champion Luis Leeds at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix venue.

The 23-year-old also came up just short of winning the Australian Formula 3 Championship in 2015, but has only had sporadic race car outings of late.

“It will be good to compare what the S5000 is like to the other cars that I have driven in the past,” said Capo.

“Phillip Island is the ideal place for a test like this and will suit the cars. It’s a fast and flowing circuit, so it will give a really good indication on what power and downforce the car actual has.

“At the moment, Sandown (Round 1) isn’t my main concern. I haven’t done a lot of racing this year, so I’ll just see how I go at Phillip Island before worrying about what comes next.

“I really feel that the S5000 category is going to work for Australian motorsport. Everyone is really intrigued. It has the right teams and people behind it, especially with GRM, and I’m looking forward to seeing how many cars and drivers there can be on track. I think it has a lot of potential.

“I’d like to thank GRM for the opportunity to test one of their new cars and I can’t wait to see what it’s all about.”

A total of five of the Garry Rogers Motorsport-built S5000s are set to turn laps at Phillip Island, with the test an opportunity for potential customers to sample the cars.

Multiple Formula 1 grand prix winner Rubens Barrichello and 2013 Pro Mazda champion Matt Brabham have thus far been confirmed as entrants for the opening round at Sandown’s Shannons Nationals meeting on September 20-22.