Racing around Albert Park and taking part in the Australian Grand Prix support category is high on the list of achievements for Invercargill driver Jordan Michels. The current NZ Formula Ford champion is getting his first taste of wings and slicks single seater racing in the new S5000 class.
“It has a lot of horse power and not a lot of grip,” commented Michels. “It’s been a hug step up. It fired me back into the head rest and took a handful of laps to get used to the unbelievable power. It’s not the speed, it is the rate it gets there. The acceleration from 150-200 kph is the same as 0-100”
The opportunity to race in the S5000 came about through friend and Formula Ford engineer Greg Woodrow and a contact of his, Albert Callegher who owned a S5000 but did not have a driver.
Michels previous wings and slicks experience was a day of testing the FT50 Toyota Racing Series car at Hampton Downs last year as part of his winning the national Formula Ford title.
“It (S5000) doesn’t have the down-force of the TRS FT50 and breaks into wheel spin pretty quickly as it has heaps of horsepower.
“The FT50 experience was enough for me to grasp the concepts of it, but this is quite a different animal again. I have been doing left foot braking and paddle shifts with the TCR car back home which is important with these S5000s.
“This weekend will be the biggest event I have been to with one of the highest quality field. I have high expectations but am pretty realistic at the same time.
“The test day that we had last week was very busy so didn’t get a chance to spend time with other drivers.”
And more to come as Michels will race in the category at Eastern Creek in a fortnight time and then maybe some more after that.
Also see: Massive opportunity for Michels
Comments