Garry Rogers Motorsport has overseen its first S5000 test since taking over as the technical partner for the new single seater series.
The Supercars squad, which will build the first batch of 13 Onroak-Ligier V8 powered S5000 cars, headed to Winton today where a handover process with the car’s original builder Borland Racing Developments took place.
S5000 test driver Tim Macrow jumped behind the wheel the only completed chassis in existence for a thorough evaluation of new production components that will be utilised to build the first batch of cars.
The day represented the first proper test day for the car since it made its debut at the Sydney Motorsport Park launch last month.
It has since completed demonstration runs at the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 and the Adelaide Motorsport Festival.
GRM bosses Garry and Barry Rogers were present at the test.
“Today was all about an official handover from Borland Racing Developments, and it has been a seamless transition,” said GRM director Barry Rogers.
“Mike Borland brought the car up here to Winton and we are taking it back to our race shop in Dandenong.
“Moving forward, Michael will stay involved in the project. His experience and what he has done is quite incredible, and with our big workforce at GRM, we will be able to take the production of the components for the 14 cars to the next level.
“The motivation behind the test was for a smooth handover, and that’s how it all played out. Tim Macrow completed enough laps to give our engineers an idea of what we need to know and what these cars require.
“Since announcing our technical lead on the category two weeks ago, a lot has happened already. We’ve had a number of phone hook-ups with chassis builder Onroak, and the first four tubs are not far away from being sea freighted.
“We have the jigs, drawings and all the facility to make the fabricated parts. It’s a big project to coordinate with all of the various inputs, but one we’re really looking forward to.”
Interest in the series is growing although the category is yet to announce any teams or drivers committed to the series.
As part of its alliance with S5000, GRM will handle sales of the cars to prospective competitors.
The first batch of chassis are expected to arrive from America early next year.
The inaugural S5000 season, which will feature on the Shannons Nationals bill, will begin at Sydney Motorsport Park from May 17-19.
CLICK HERE to watch an onboard lap of the S5000 car in action at Winton.
Discussion about this post