S5000 power limited to meet Bathurst safety standards

S5000 event organisers have had to limit the top performance of their cars to comply with FIA requirements at Bathurst.

S5000 event organisers have had to limit the top performance of their cars to comply with FIA requirements at Bathurst. (S5000)

The FIA requires vehicles competing at Grade 3 circuits such as Mount Panorama to have a weight to power ratio of greater than 2 kg per hp.

This means the Shannons S5000 Tasman Series will run at a reduced power level of around 470 hp.

Category promoters the Australian Racing Group say the main impact will be straight-line speed, reducing Conrod straight to around 280 km/h.

"If we had full horsepower… we would definitely be breaking the two-minute barrier," said Joey Mawson.

Despite the power reduction it appears the two-minute lap time may still fall, with Mawson setting the fastest time of 2:00.870 in practice on Tuesday.

Qualifying for the S5000 Tasman Series gets underway on Wednesday.

Read the full statement from the Australian Racing Group below:

S5000 Performance Parameters for Mount Panorama

In order to meet requirements put in place by Motorsport Australia, the Australian representatives of the FIA, the Shannons S5000 Tasman Series field is running at a reduced engine output level this weekend at Mount Panorama. 

FIA requirements for FIA Grade 3 circuits, including Mount Panorama, specify a power to weight requirement of 2 kilograms per Horsepower in any vehicle competing at the circuit. 

As a result, the S5000 field is running at a reduced power level of approximately 470 Horsepower this weekend. 

This has the primary effect of limiting straight-line speed to approximately 280km/hr on Conrod straight. 

The Australian Racing Group and key S5000 stakeholders have worked closely with Motorsport Australia to bring Australia's top open-wheel category to the Mountain, with these changes allowing for the cars to meet the FIA-mandated requirements in place. 

The cars remain the spectacular product that they have been since their inception and, weather permitting, are expected to still lap close to the two minute mark in qualifying this weekend.