Defending Champ Back for Formula 5000 Sandown

Having missed the opening round of the 2013/14 series a fortnight ago, defending Formula 5000 Australia Cup holder Andrew Robson will join the field at this weekend’s Formula 5000 supporting races at the Sandown 500, following a full recovery from a recent shoulder operation.

Robson’s familiar red Lola T332 has been fully rebuilt and will line up with other leading Australian contenders Tom Tweedie (Chevron B24), Bryan Sala (Matich A50), Aaron Lewis (Matich A50), D’arcy Russell (Lola T330) and V8 Supercar ‘Dad’ Richard Davison, in the famous ex-Teddy Yip/Alan Jones Lola T332, to take on some of NZ’s best.

Kiwi F5000 legend Ken Smith (Lola T332) and Auckland’s Andrew Higgins (Lola T400) are expected to be front-runners as Formula 5000 joins the V8 Supercar show for the first time, supporting the opening event of the 2013 Pirtek Endurance Cup, the Wilson Security Sandown 500. 

Sandown is one of the traditional ‘homes’ of Australian Formula 5000 and this weekend’s event will recreate the halcyon days when the 500+ horsepower V8s dominated the Australian motorsport scene.

The F5000s will contest two qualifying heats on Saturday at Sandown, with a feature F5000 race on Sunday morning, just prior to the V8 Supercar warm-up.

Fans hoping to experience the earth-moving sight and sound of Australia’s golden-era Australian GP category will need to get to Sandown early – the Sunday feature is scheduled for a 10.15am AEST start.

After the opening round Tweedie (55) heads the series points table, from Smith (44), Sala and Higgins (both 37).

Formula 5000 is just one of the categories supporting the V8 Supercars at the Wilson Security Sandown 500, with the V8 Utes and Touring Car Masters also running on-track. 

Tickets are still available for the event through Ticketek.