South Australian based Team BRM will give Alex Davison his official debut start in a wings and slicks open wheel car next weekend in the first-ever S5000 Australia meeting at the Shannons Nationals.

 

While Davison raced behind the wheel of a Formula Ford during his junior years, he forged his career internationally in Porsche racing, before returning home to complete in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship. 

 

Now holding a position as Driver Standards Advisor for the carsales TCR Australia Series, the 39-year-old will join former Formula 1 star Rubens Barrichello for the historic Shannons Nationals event at Sandown Raceway. 

 

With his only other real experience in an open wheel car being an exhibition drive in his father’s Lola T332 historic Formula 5000, Davison was looking forward to racing again.

 

“I’ve enjoyed my time as the Driver Standards Advisor for TCR Australia, but I’d much prefer to be the other side of the fence, so I’m really excited for this opportunity,” Davison said.

 

“I’ve been watching the developments of the S5000 category with interest, right from the beginning. I remember some discussions I had with Chris Lambden many years ago and there’s been some twists and turns, but it’s awesome to see his vision come together.

 

“There’s been a lot of chat in the industry about it, and it’s an honour to be involved in the first ever event.

 

“This is the first serious open wheel race that I’ve been in since the 1999 Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch. I really don’t have any expectations. I’ve never raced wings and slicks, but I’m really excited to be competing.”

 

Davison and Barrichello are just two of nine drivers already signed on for the first S5000 meeting on Australian soil, with international star Matthew Brabham and current carsales TCR Australia series leader Will Brown also named in the field. 

 

The new category will make its official debut as part of the Shannons Nationals’ sixth round of 2019 alongside a number of popular categories, including Kumho Tyres Super3 series. 

 

Tickets for the Shannons Nationals sixth round are now available with 10 per cent of all sales going to charity partner Very Special Kids.

 

Fans unable to attend the round can watch via SBS or on the live stream on thenationals.com.au.

 

The carsales TCR Australia Series forms part of the Shannons Nationals visit to Sandown Raceway and takes place on 20-22 September.