Formula 5000, the category that ran for the Australian Grand Prix from the late 60’s throughout the 70’s will return to the event with the announcement that Albert Park will host the final round of the MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series.

There will be two races for the F5000 Tasman Cup Revival cars with both carrying points for the 2008/09 series which is currently led by veteran New Zealand driver Ken Smith (Lola T430).

The long anticipated announcement of the races is reward for many years of hard work by the New Zealand F5000 Association and spokesman David Abbott says that the events confirmation is - quite literally - a dream come true.

“Formula 5000 was the premier category across the Tasman for many years and we have several cars running in our series which contested the Australian Grand Prix” said Mr Abbott.

“So one of our goals - our ultimate one if you like - was to take them back.”

Places on the support roster at any Grand Prix are eagerly sought after and Abbott says that the New Zealand Association owes a debt of gratitude to Australian member Bob Harborow for the time and effort he and fellow members of the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) put into the proposal and process.

“As an Association it was always our intention to have races here and in Australia because that’s what the original Tasman Series was all about. Bob - who is an active member of our association - bought into that from the very beginning and it is due in no small part to him and the VHRR that we have been crossing the Tasman with our cars for the past four years.”

Both groups have also enjoyed the active support of the drivers - from both sides of the Tasman - who drove the cars first time around.

“Whenever we’ve had the cars in Australian we’ve made a point of getting in touch with the original drivers, and I must say they’ve been very supportive of our efforts both on and off the track,” said Mr Abbott.

There will be a strong local link when the MSC series cars head out onto the track at Albert Park too. Joining the numerically most popular British-built Lolas on the grid will be several Australian-built Elfins and at least one Matich plus a number of New Zealand-built Beggs.

The MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series is organised and run with the support of sponsors MSC, NZ Express Transport, Bonney’s Specialised Bulk Transport, Pacifica, Toll Holdings, Smith & Davies and Avon Tyres.

Coverage of the recent Sandown round was recently featured on In Pit Lane in Melbourne and coverage of further rounds from New Zealand is planned.

Footage is also available of last seasons Phillip Island round via the In Pit Lane Videocast available from Apple iTunes.