Four-time Bathurst winner Murphy will take charge for demonstration laps at the season-ending Supercars event on Friday week (November 23) before two-time national champion Bowe follows suit around the same street circuit on Saturday and Sunday.

VIDEO: Check out the S5000

“To be one of the first people to drive the S5000 car is really special,” Bowe said.

“These will only be demonstration laps, but it is really going to give the Newcastle fans a real treat. Big, loud, modern race cars around a spectacular track.  

“I grew up in open wheelers, I love them, and the introduction of this category is the best piece of open wheel news in Australia since Formula Atlantic was here in 1981. 

“With the new carbon-fibre monocoque, big engine and the cockpit ‘Halo’, it will be an awesome class. The aero will be good but not over the top, and the cars will be quick. 

“If we’re ever going to have a chance to breed a race-ready Formula 1 driver in Australia, this will be the car and the category.”

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The S5000, with an F1 look, is powered by a specially-prepared 5.0 litre, 560hp V8 Ford Coyote ‘Aluminator’ engine.

Other specifications include: the latest FIA-specification carbon-fibre monocoque and halo protective device.

“The S5000 will be a great spectacle for fans as a fantastic addition to the weekend’s entertainment,” Newcastle 500 event manager Kurt Sakzewski said.

“This is the first time the Newcastle circuit has hosted an open wheel racer. We are really looking forward to seeing the S5000 in action and how it fares on the tough street layout.”

The S5000 will be officially launched with an invite-only event at Sydney Motorsport Park on Monday.

Following the Newcastle 500, the S5000 will travel to South Australia for the Adelaide Motorsport Festival the next weekend (December 1-2).

NOVEMBER 23-25: Complete guide to 2018 Newcastle 500