Christchurch’s Blake Knowles completed a clean sweep of the Formula 5000 races at the SKOPE Classic, closing out round two of the 2025/26 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series in dominant fashion.
Held at Christchurch’s Euromarque Motorsport Park, Sunday’s action began with the morning handicap race — a format designed to compress the field and deliver a late-race all-in charge to the chequered flag.
Tony Roberts was first away in the McLaren M10A, with Toby Annabell close behind. A small gap followed to Roger Williams in the second McLaren M10B, before the remainder of the field was released in timed groups. The largest handicap was handed to the McRae GM1 (#004) of Knowles, who crossed the start line a full 60 seconds after the leading cars.
Roberts held the lead through to lap five before being passed by Williams, who was immediately under pressure from the Talon MR1A of Grant Martin. A spin for Martin after the carousel dropped him down the order, allowing Knowles through to the lead with Williams McLaren M10B back to second. By lap seven, Knowles had control of the race and stayed clear of a charging Kevin Ingram to take the chequered flag. The Lola T332s of Ingram and Tony Galbraith completed the podium in second and third.
Along the way, Knowles set a new lap record of 1m16.126, eclipsing the previous benchmark of 1m17.588 set by UK driver Michael Lyons in 2014.
Williams recovered to finish fourth, claiming the A Category victory, followed by Tony Roberts’ high-wing McLaren M10A and Annabell’s M10B.
For the afternoon’s concluding race — which carried the Bert Hawthorne Cup — the field lined up in finishing order from Saturday’s race. From lights out, Knowles again controlled the inside line into Turn One and built an immediate gap at the front. Behind him, Martin’s Talon MR1A led Glen Richards Lola T332 with Ingram’s Lola T332 slotting in close behind as the field settled into rhythm.
Knowles managed the pace out front until the safety car was deployed on lap six when Roger Williams’ McLaren M10B stopped with an electrical issue. The interruption set up a one-lap dash to the finish.
At the restart and behind Knowles, Ingram launched strongly to move ahead of Richards, followed closely by Galbraith. Richards attempted to respond by getting on the power early at the exit of the carousel but spun while closing on Galbraith, allowing Anna Collins’ Lola T332 to slip through and claim fifth.
Sixth place went to the leading A Category car of Toby Annabell, ahead of Tony Roberts’ McLaren M10A. The result leaves the pair tied on points.
In the overall standings, Grant Martin now holds a three-point advantage over Anna Collins, with Kevin Ingram moving up to third, a further five points back.
“Obviously a massive thank you to Alister Hey and the family — it’s been an awesome weekend and I’ve loved every minute of it,” said Knowles as he accepted the Bert Hawthorne Cup.
“I can’t thank them enough, or everyone who made this drive possible.
“Even with the safety car slowing things down, it was about keeping it out front, managing the pace, taking no risks and bringing it home in one piece.”
The Stan Redmond Memorial Trophy was awarded to Anna Collins, with series spokesperson David Abbott recognising her for embodying the speed, style and sporting spirit Redmond was renowned for. The trophy was presented by Redmond’s siblings Helen, Henry and Molly.
“Thank you — this is a real privilege and an honour,” said a surprised Collins. “Thank you to the F5000 Association and the Canterbury Car Club for putting on such a fantastic event.”
Collins was also presented with the PDL Classic Founders Trophy for outstanding competition by Canterbury Car Club’s Mark Wederell.
Attention now turns quickly to the next stop on the calendar, with round three of the 2025/26 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series set for Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon from 20–22 February.
Main photo: Christchurch’s Anna Collins now sits second overall in the 2025/26 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series standings after the SKOPE Classic weekend and secured the Stan Redmond memorial trophy along with the PDL Classic Founders Trophy. Photo Euan Cameron
Race 2 (10 laps) – SKOPE Classic – F5000 – Sunday 8 February 2026
Pos # Driver Car Time
1 99 Blake Knowles McRae GM1 11:27.0
2 30 Kevin Ingram Lola T332 +20.655
3 88 Tony Galbraith Lola T332 +25.103
4 12 Roger Williams McLaren M10B +25.536
5 14 Anna Collins Lola T332 +32.228
6 63 Glen Richards Lola T332 +32.568
7 2 Grant Martin Talon MR1A +36.77
8 7 Tony Roberts McLaren M10A +43.87
9 9 Toby Annabell McLaren M10B +59.899
Race 3 (shortened to 10 laps) – SKOPE Classic – F5000 – Sunday 8 February 2026
Pos # Driver Car Time
1 99 Blake Knowles McRae GM1 16:43.3
2 2 Grant Martin Talon MR1A +6.923
3 30 Kevin Ingram Lola T332 +7.633
4 88 Tony Galbraith Lola T332 +8.607
5 14 Anna Collins Lola T332 +10.83
6 9 Toby Annabell McLaren M10B +14.921
7 7 Tony Roberts McLaren M10A +16.58
8 63 Glen Richards Lola T332 +36.593
DNF 12 Roger Williams McLaren M10B
Points: 2025/26 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series – after round two (of four)
Open R1 R2 Overall
1 #2 Grant Martin – Talon MR1A 70 72 142
2 #14 Anna Collins – Lola T332 70 69 139
3 #30 Kevin Ingram – Lola T332 58 76 134
4 #63 Glen Richards – Lola T332 51 53 104
5 #99 Blake Knowles – McRae GM1 0 80 80
6 #99 Michael Hey – McRae GM1 78 0 78
7 #5 Steve Ross – McRae GM1 75 0 75
8 #88 Tony Galbraith – Lola T332 0 70 70
9 #17 James Watson – Gardos OR2 37 0 37
10 #20 Tim Rush – McLaren M22 20 0 20
11 #48 Bruce Kett – Lola T332 20 0 20
A
1 #7 Tony Roberts – McLaren M10A 79 77 156
2 #9 Toby Annabell McLaren M10B 78 78 156
3 #12 Roger Williams – McLarenM10 40 40
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