Prototype Formula 5000 Car Hits the Track At Winton

However, Australian Formula 3 Champion Tim Macrow has driven the five-litre V8-powered car at Winton.

Chris Lambden, the series creator said, "It couldn't have been a more productive day for Day 1 with a brand new race car."

"The systems checks - primarily ensuring the engine, gearbox, and MoTeC system were speaking to each other correctly - were done by lunchtime, and Tim was able to push things along later in the day, even though we were running the car in relatively conservative spec.

"All our technical partners had someone on hand for the day and, I'd have to say, everything went like clockwork, which is a great credit to all of them. After all the work that has gone in, it was pretty exciting to see and hear the car on track.

"We're looking forward to running the car publicly for the first time at the Muscle Car Masters and illustrating the sight, sound and smell of the FT5000 concept. Sydney Motorsport Park is a venue which should allow the car to stretch its legs a bit.

"It's looking likely that we may also run the car a couple of days later (Tuesday November 1) at Queensland Raceway, followed by Phillip Island in the following week or two."

The new FT5000 series will run a summer series in Australia and New Zealand in December 2017.