Supercars has welcomed the merger between Super5000 and Formula Thunder 5000 which is set to boost the chances of a new top level open-wheel category in Australia.
Australian open-wheel racing had been embroiled in a conflict with two rival modern-day Formula 5000 series vying for a place in the marketplace.
Former publisher and racer Chris Lambden and Super5000 backer John McMellan have confirmed plans to align the projects, with a combination of the best aspects from their developed race cars set to form the category’s single seater.
Lambden launched his Formula Thunder 5000 car, based around a Swift chassis powered by a V8 last year, while the Super5000, which utilises Supercars V8 engines engines and transaxles, was unveiled last month.
Supercars CEO James Warburton has seen the development as a boost for the project with the next phase crucial for its future.
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He believes a grid of around 16-20 cars is required for it to get off the ground.
The Super5000 category had been earmarked as a potential key Supercars support category for the future.
“It (Super5000) was never really intended to create separate competition, but now the combined category needs to get up,” Warburton told Speedcafe.com.
“My understanding is there are nine or 10 expressions of interest between the two series and that is a good start.
“It probably needs to be double that for it to be successful and needs a lot of commitment to run at the right level.
“I think people have underestimated the drivers required to drive a Formula 5000 car. If it (the merger) makes it stronger then we are all for it.”
The category aims to be running midway through next year with a place on the Supercars support bill a possible option.
Warburton says he is under no illusions as to the task ahead for the series to come to fruition, but is confident Supercars’ marketing power will be a key component in determining its fate.
“When we put out the Super5000 announcement it got over $15 million dollars in media exposure, so that in itself showed there is appetite for it. It is possible,” he added.
“I don’t think anyone underestimates it (the challenge ahead). Where it needs to come together is really in the marketing power and the media power that we can bring to it.
“There is huge interest globally in open wheels with Formula 1 and Formula E, so at the right level in Australia and Asia there is a really good opportunity for it.
“It has got to be done at the right level and that is the challenge that needs be overcome.
“We are up for it. Now clearly it is not our category so it’s with John McMellan and Chris Lambden.”
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