Formula 5000 — big and thunder sounding single-seaters powered by 5-litre V8s — first raced in New Zealand at Baypark in December 1968. Born as Formula A in the United States, the class spread quickly to South Africa, the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, where it served as this country's national single-seater formula from 1969 to 1977 and powered the Tasman Series from 1970. At their peak the cars ran with Formula 1 machinery, an F5000 famously beating the Grand Prix field to win the UK's 1973 Race of Champions.

 New Zealanders were central to the story. Graham McRae won his first Tasman title in 1971 in a self-modified McLaren M10B before claiming two more in a car of his own design, the McRae GM1 — for many, still the quintessential F5000.

The formula's heyday faded, but not its following. In 2003 the New Zealand Formula 5000 Association brought the yesteryear category back to life, launching the Tasman Cup Revival Series with an opening round at Pukekohe and a trans-Tasman crossing to Sandown in its very first season. More than two decades on, the MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series still keeps these thundering machines racing in anger, fielding immaculately prepared Lolas, McLarens, Talons and McRaes across two classes, and has since taken NZ F5000 to Australia's Albert Park Grand Prix, Phillip Island, Laguna Seca, Brands Hatch and Oulton Park.