Whatever F5000 was, it was certainly fast, furious and boisterous. With the end of Australia’s 2.5-liter formula in 1969 came the introduction of F5000 as its national formula with an annual series of races including the Tasman Cup in both Australia and New Zealand.
They were halcyon days and, over the weekend of November 10–12, 2006, through the good work of the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR), historic racing fans were able to experience the thunder that only a F5000 engine can produce.
Billed as the “Return of the Thunder,” VHRR’s November Sandown Park meeting in suburban Melbourne drew a record entry of over 300 racecars for a total of 49 events held over the weekend. Historic records indicate that the largest field of F5000 cars in any one race in Australia during the 1970s was 17, while Sandown attracted a record entry of 22. Counting for mechanical difficulties, 19 lined up for the first race on Saturday. Of the 19 some 12 came from New Zealand, as the “Land of the Long White Cloud” has become known as the home of F5000.
New Zealander Ian Clements was at his best winning two out of three races over the weekend in his Lola T332 after setting fastest qualifying time. Most successful local was Melbourne driver Andrew Robson also in a Lola T332 who set second fastest qualifying and 1st place in Saturday’s race. Unfortunately, a spectacular loss followed by gear selection problems put him out of contention for the Sunday events.
The weekend’s events not only attracted the cars but also drivers and other leading names from the period including Warwick Brown, John McCormack, Bob Muir, Bruce Allison, Alfredo Costanzo and John Goss, who was celebrating 30 years since he won the 1976 Australian Grand Prix at Sandown Park in the Matich A53.
While the F5000 cars were the main drawcard for the event, there were plenty of other vehicles to enthrall even the most jaded of enthusiast.
In addition to the fast and furious, the lunchtime peace and quiet was interrupted by a parade of Cooper cars to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the London-based manufacturer. These included vehicles ranging from the diminutive Cooper 500s, a Cooper Bristol, the T53 driven by Jack Brabham to 1st place at the 1960 French Grand Prix right through to the latest MINI.
The Sandown F5000 event was the first of a series with future races scheduled for Pukekohe Park in New Zealand in January and then back to Australia for Phillip Island in March. If you want to know more about these races and other events organized by the VHRR, have a look at www.vhrr.com
By Patrick Quinn
