The opening race of the 2025/26 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series delivered a fitting start to the new season, with Michael Hey leading home Steve Ross in a McRae one-two at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon on Saturday afternoon.
Run in dry, cool and breezy conditions, the 10-lap contest had a bit of everything — as all nine starters made it to the chequered flag.
From pole, Hey set the pace in his 1972 McRae GM1-004, holding the inside line into the sweeping Turn 1 while Ross, in the Quicksilver Racing McRae GM1-009, had the long way around. Local favourite Kevin Ingram seized the low line in his Frissbee-Lola T332 HU48, slotting into second place at ‘splash’ and left Ross with the challenge of reclaiming the spot.
Behind the leaders, James Watson showed the prowess of Gardos OR2 by seizing third from Ingram during stages of the opening laps. A suspected head-gasket issue limited the car’s straight-line pace, forcing him to yield each time Ingram powered back past. Grant Martin was also in contention early in the 1974 Talon MR1 (once raced by Chris Amon) before a fourth-lap spin, taken to avoid another car, dropped him down the order.
Further back, Anna Collins gave the ex-Graeme Lawrence Lola T332 HU28its first outing of the season, holding off Glenn Richards in another T332 as the pair traded places mid-race. Martin recovered to challenge them by lap seven, with the top four eventually finishing in qualifying order — Hey just 0.8 seconds clear of Ross, and Ingram a further 10 seconds behind.
Hey’s victory places him atop the series leaderboard on 40 points.
“It was all about the start and nailing it,” said Hey. “I could see some action in the mirrors early on, so I just focused on setting my pace and clearing out. I’d like to say the pressure was off once I was in front, but Steve kept me honest all the way.
“Near the end the tyres got a bit hot, so I backed it off slightly and braked earlier, but overall it was smooth sailing.”
For Collins, the weekend marked an encouraging debut with plenty of potential to come.
“It was good – an enjoyable race,” she said. “We’re chasing a small brake issue at the moment, which should be sorted before the next run and give me more pace. I’m definitely feeling comfortable in the car — once we tidy that up, we’ll be right in the mix.”
Co-owner Mark Collins later confirmed a minor valve-spring issue in the engine, also expected to be resolved overnight.
In the A-category battle, Tony Roberts led home Toby Annabell, bringing his 1969 McLaren M10A to the flag just ahead of Annabell’s 1970 M10B.
“Toby was faster than me overall, but I got the initial jump and that was just enough to stay in front,” Roberts admitted. “After three warm-up laps and a ten-lap race, I was pretty tired — the chequered flag couldn’t come soon enough.”
It was heartbreak, however, for Feilding local Tim Rush, whose McLaren M22 suffered terminal engine failure during Friday practice. The Lola T332 of Bruce Kett was also a non-starter, unable to attend the Manfeild round.
The MG Classic weekend continues Sunday with two more F5000 races — a 10-lap handicap in the morning followed by the afternoon feature, both based on Saturday’s finishing order.
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