THE S5000 Tasman Series could take on a new look in 2023, with a very real possibility the coveted trophy will be decided at a single event.
The S5000 season was initially scheduled to comprise seven stops on the calendar, the final two of which (listed as TBC and Adelaide) would double as Tasman Series rounds.
Come early April, S5000 had removed its TBC event and settled for a six-round mix.
The category indicated the Tasman Cup would still be awarded, with further details to come… and that’s where the situation remains more than two months down the track.
Australian Racing Group powerbroker Barry Rogers told V8 Sleuth the picture will become clearer in the next fortnight or so.
He did not rule out the Tasman Series being a one-stop show in Adelaide, which would represent a change from the two-round format used in 2021 (Sydney Motorsport Park and Bathurst) and 2022 (Gold Coast and Adelaide).
It’s not unprecedented for major series silverware to be awarded based on a single event though, as seen in the early years of the Australian Touring Car Championship, for example.
“The intention certainly is to still have a Tasman Series, we’ll just work out which rounds that incorporates,” Rogers said.
“It will be happening.
“Whether it’s just Adelaide or not, we’re not sure yet depending on a couple of things.
“We’ll be able to give more info on that in a couple of weeks’ time.”
As far as the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship goes, Joey Mawson is on his way to a third Gold Star, holding a 77-point lead following his Winton cleansweep last weekend.
Three S5000 race meetings are to come this year: Sydney Motorsport Park in July, The Bend in August, and Adelaide in November.
