A legendary Formula 5000 has been restored in New Zealand in preparation for the big Muscle Car Masters meeting at Sydney Motorsport Park from September 1-2.

The Team VDS Lola T333CS which was campaigned by champion open-wheel driver Warwick Brown in the Rothmans Formula 5000 series in 1978 and 1979 is historically one of the most important machines at the meeting.

Meticulously restored by Christchurch owner Stan Redmond, the gorgeous F5000 racer had a recent shakedown at the Ruapuna circuit.

The Lola T333CS racers were an evolution of the successful Formula 5000 T330s, built up with single-seat sports car bodywork for the Can-Am series which was regaining strength in the US in the late 1970s as F5000 went into decline.

Brown drove a T333CS in the 1978 Can-Am series for the legendary VDS outfit when he finished second behind Alan Jones.

In single-seater F5000-spec, Brown won the 1978 Rothmans series and finished third in 1979 and was the last car he raced.

Owner Redmond is a passionate historic F5000 owner/driver and also has in his possession a Lola T332 that is being rebuilt after suffering accident damage at the Phillip Island Classic meeting.

Brown is planning on spectating at the MCM where there will be a very special reunion.

The iconic Lola will wear its maroon VDS livery and sport the number – 111 as used by Brown.

The F5000’s are part of a packed programme including Touring Car Masters, Group N historic Touring Cars (pre-1973), NZ’s Central Muscle Cars, Group C/A Historic touring cars (1973-92), Master Blasts and Heritage hot laps.