The new Formula Thunder 5000 class has confirmed its first sales, with one of the buyers a legendary name in Australian open-wheel racing.

Adelaide’s Malcolm Ramsay, whose Birrana Racing Formula Holden team won six Australian Drivers’ titles between 1994 and 2001, has moved to secure one of the new machines.

The brainchild of Chris Lambden, the FT5000s utilise a Swift-designed chassis and feature a Ford Coyote V8 engine.

Ramsay’s commitment follows successful outings for the FT5000 prototype car at Winton, Sydney Motorsport Park and Phillip Island over recent months.

Having built a succession of his own open-wheelers in the 1970s, Ramsay is highly enthusiastic about Lambden’s concept.

“I’m excited by the prospect,” said Ramsay, whose team fielded the likes of Mark Webber, Jason Bright and Rick Kelly in Formula Holden.

“At last, an open-wheeler with real muscle, which will provide drivers with a real challenge – if you can put one of these on pole, you will have earned it.

“I can’t wait to be part of it – it has certainly provided the impetus to reignite our interest.

“It’s a credit to Chris Lambden to have come up with the concept and turned it into reality.

“Now we just need other serious teams and drivers to join us for what I believe will be a terrific formula and series.”

In addition to Ramsay, two other yet-to-be-named competitors are also understood to have committed to buying cars for the category.

Lambden reports that the prototype car ran faultlessly during its recent run at Phillip Island, where test driver Tim Macrow lapped in the 1:24s bracket.

“That was a super day for the team,” said Lambden, who is hoping to hold a 2017/18 summer series with the cars.

“Both the pace and reliability of the car are meeting our expectations, as well as the sight and sound.

“As Malcolm says, our job now is to grow the list of confirmed participants as soon as we can, to the point where we can commence a car build.

“Having someone of his open-wheeler pedigree so enthused and supportive is just great – what better endorsement could you have?”

VIDEO: Learn more about the FT5000 in Speedcafe.com’s Castrol Edge Talking Tech