The all-new S5000 single seater series will be shown live on free-to-air television as part of an expanded new deal with broadcaster SBS.

Fans will receive an extra hour of live free-to-air television at Sandown (September 20-22) and The Bend Motorsport Park (November 15-17) Shannons Nationals events, which will feature the new single seater class and TCR Australia.

The new arrangement builds on an existing deal between TCR Australia and S5000 promoters the Australian Racing Group and SBS that has seen the network broadcast TCR Australia’s maiden season.

Sandown will host the inaugural meeting for the new S5000 series which will see a grid featuring multiple Formula 1 race winner Rubens Barrichello and former IndyCar driver Matt Brabham.

The first race for the V8 powered S5000 cars will be broadcast live on Saturday in addition to TCR Australia Race 1, with the telecast running from 1300-1500 AEST.

On Sunday, two TCR races, plus the all-important S5000 feature race will be beamed into homes all around Australia from 1200 AEST.

“Thanks to the support from SBS, we have had a fantastic start to the 2019 carsales TCR Australia Series with fans enjoying every race live and in HD on SBS,” said Australian Racing Group director Matt Braid.

“The fact that SBS will now expand the live coverage further to include the new S5000 category only adds even more to what is the best live free to air coverage of any motorsport in the country.

“The TCR category has impressed fans with its close and highly competitive racing at each round so far, and we can’t wait to showcase the excitement and spectacle of S5000 as well in the upcoming broadcast.”

Organisers have so far confirmed four drivers for opening S5000 round.

All other track action from the Shannons Nationals event, including Australian GT, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Super3 and the Australian Production Cars, will continue to be broadcast via the online live stream carried by Speedcafe.com.