Feilding local Kevin Ingram has taken a one-point lead in the SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival series after winning the season-opening race at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon today.
This weekend marked the first of six rounds for the 2024/2025 season, with points awarded toward determining the overall season winner. Despite a forecast of wet and wild weather, Saturday’s conditions were unexpectedly pleasant.
Ingram set the fastest time in a shortened qualifying session, which was cut short when Michael Hey’s McRae GM1 went off at the end of the first turn. Starting from pole in his Lola T332 (HU 48R), Ingram converted his top time into a lights-to-flag victory over six laps, though not without pressure. Young Michael Hey pushed hard, challenging Ingram around the 3.03km course to finish a close second.
Tony Galbraith, in another Lola T332 (HU 38), recovered to claim third after an early setback when his oil belt failed just before qualifying. Starting from the back of the grid, Galbraith worked his way through the field, which had been reduced to seven cars due to shipping delays affecting the return of several vehicles from overseas (the planned 60-day shipment has now stretched beyond 90 days).
While curiosity grew over why the optimal track conditions weren’t translating to faster times, drivers still pushed the limits. Glenn Richards, in his Lola T332, went beyond the grip threshold of his tyres while braking into turn one, resulting in a spin and a trip to the gravel.
Finishing fifth was local driver Tim Rush, making a comeback after an injury sidelined him last season.
“I broke my arm last season,” he explained. “So that put me out. Now, with a replacement elbow, I’m back in the seat, learning both how the arm works and how the car handles again.”
Rush, driving the family’s McLaren M22, plans to compete in all rounds except Teretonga, which conflicts with another commitment.
“Technically, the car is the newest of the McLarens in the group, so it should be the fastest, but the driver has been on holiday!” he joked.
“Our car is the last ever Trojan-built McLaren sold to the public. Only three were made. One is buried under a tree in America—I even know the man who buried it and where it’s located. The other’s whereabouts are unknown.”
He added, “We have a fantastic mechanic, Ross Dallas, who has put in long hours to get the car where it is. It’s a great ball of fun.”
Sunday’s two remaining races will begin with a handicap-format six-lapper, awarding only 10 points to the winner. The grid will be set based on qualifying lap times and today’s race results. The afternoon’s eight-lap race will be gridded by today’s finish positions, with Glenn Richards starting from the back.
Results – Qualifying:
1/ KEVIN INGRAM, LOLA T330/T332 1m04.04 +0.00s
2/ MICHAEL HEY, McRAE GM1 1m04.72 +0.68s
3/ GLENN RICHARDS, LOLA T332 1m07.00 +2.96s
4/ FRANK KARL, McLAREN M10 B 1m11.27 +7.23s
5/ TONY ROBERTS, McLAREN M10 A, 1m11.66 +7.62s
6/ TIM RUSH, McLAREN M22 1m12.16 +8.12s
7/ TOBY ANNABELL, McLAREN M10 B, 1m12.57 +8.53s
Race 1: 6-laps
1/ KEVIN INGRAM LOLA T330/T332 9m28.53
2/ MICHAEL HEY McRAE GM1 +1.05s
3/ TONY GALBRAITH LOLA T332 +7.09s
4/ FRANK KARL McLAREN M10 B +11.91s
5/ TIM RUSH McLAREN M22 +12.57s
6/ TOBY ANNABELL McLAREN M10 B +16.59s
7/ TONY ROBERTS McLAREN M10 A +18.34s
8/ GLENN RICHARDS LOLA T332 +5 laps
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