There has been a lot of interest in this new category in Australia since it was announced earlier this year.
Formula Thunder 5000 is effectively a modern day interpretation of Formula 5000, and the brainchild of Chris Lambden. Its, in essence, a control category, using a modern carbon-fibre chassis, Ford Coyote V8 engine, Hollinger gearbox etc.
The car is based around an American Swift chassis, dating back to 2009, that was originally built to compete in Formula Nippon in Japan. Swift discontinued the car, but with it fitting the brief for what Lambden and his group were planning, they bought the rights to construct it in Australia. The tall airbox was added as part of the Formula Thunder concept, to provide a visual throw-back to the cars of the original Formula 5000 series.
The fuel-injected, dry-sump Ford Coyote motor produces around 570hp, and is said to be extremely reliable in its current form.
The prototype Formula Thunder 5000 car made its first public appearance at the recent Australian Muscle Car Masters, doing high-speed demonstration laps. It looked and sounded superb.
Its an interesting concept, which has already created a lot of opinion, which has been very much divided. While some people love the idea of a modern-day Formula 5000, others wonder where it'll fit in the current motorsport landscape. And thats a very good point. Who will actually race these cars? Will 16 year old kids harboring dreams of one day reaching Formula 1 be interested in Formula Thunder 5000? Most junior single seater categories are designed specifically as stepping stone divisions, where wannabe stars of the future enter with the intention of conquering all before them, before climbing another rung on the ladder. Where does Formula Thunder fit in?
So if spectacular and fearless 16 year old future F1 drivers aren't going to be gridding up in Formula Thunder cars, who will? Perhaps those currently racing a historic Formula 5000? But why would they fore-go their historic cars for a modern variant? Would current V8 Supercar teams be interested in running these cars? If not, perhaps teams involved in the Australian GT series? Who will drive them? Wealthy middle-aged millionaires of mediocre talent? Would the public be interested in watching 25 middle-aged blokes with more money than talent live out their childhood dreams? Or maybe there is a niche in the current motorsport market just waiting for something like Formula Thunder 5000 to fill.
Is there even a place in modern day motorsport for V8 powered race cars? Ten years ago, even Formula 1 used normally aspirated V8 engines. But the automotive industry in recent times has moved to power units more closely associated with the car market. V8 Supercars included.
It'll be interesting to see what comes of it. Its a bold move, and I wish those behind the concept all the best of luck.
What do you folks think of Formula Thunder 5000?
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