News
Launch date locked for new-spec S5000 rubber
NEW RUBBER developed by series tyre partner Hoosier will make its debut in the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship sooner rather than later this year.
Set to debut for the first time at Sydney Motorsport Park’s fourth round in late July, the brand-new compound Hoosiers will be the first major tyre change the category has implemented since its foundation.
In development for some time, the new tyres include brand-new construction and compound, with the main visual change a 2.5″ larger diameter front tyre compared to the existing specification.
The rear tyres remain the same size, however will also be of the new compound.
“The feedback from testing has been that the new tyre will be more predictable and controllable when the rear gets loose, as it tends to do on these cars,” explained Garry Rogers Motorsport’s S5000 technical chief, Stefan Millard.
“It also improves braking feel, locking margins and generally we want to make the cars more accessible for new and inexperienced drivers to the category.”
While the new tyre may not substantially change the performance of the already rapid S5000 field, it is likely to change the way both racing and qualifying works.
While the existing tyre was of a harder compound and took some time to generate peak performance, the softer characteristics of the new Hoosier will see lap times produced much quicker in any given session.
“It will be a quicker tyre to switch on than the existing specification and by the end of the out lap you should be able to push at 100%,” Millard said.
“It should produce its peak speed earlier rather than taking a few laps to build up.
“We’ve been working with Hoosier for some time now to develop this tyre and the initial feedback has been really positive. We’re all looking forward to getting them on the cars in Sydney later this year and seeing what they can do.
“The goal from the outset has been to make the cars a little more accessible while still being a ‘drivers car’, and we think this will tick the box.”
The S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship continues at the Supercars Championship Sydney SuperNight event this July 29-30, which doubles as the fourth round of the Gold Star title race.