From pole to podium for Glen Collinson at Taupo’s one-hour enduro

Glen Collinson stole the show to win Sunday’s One Hour Enduro, but Mitch Sparrow and Brad Kroef ensured he had to work for it. During a 34-lap thriller at Taupo, Glen showed why he’s the reigning NZV8 Utes title holder. While Mitch and Brad showed why they’re worthy contenders.

Heavy fog delayed the start of Sunday’s NZIGP’s ‘Spirit of Anzac’ race program. But it didn’t dampen Glen Collinson’s enthusiasm to post several scintillating laps during the afternoon’s Qualifying session; each lap progressively faster as the session wore on.

Mitch Sparrow was the Round 4 winner last time the utes did battle at Taupo – he slotted in second fastest 1.1 secs in arrears, with current series leader Brad Kroef barely 0.3 secs. behind in 3^rd.

With all the day’s races being shunted back, the start for the V8 Utes’ feature race finally got underway just after 4.15pm. That meant the drivers would likely see the chequered flag against a spectacular but challenging setting sun.

As the race began, an unusual flag drop rather than the typical lights-out signal started the race, and Glen Collinson couldn’t see the cue from his grid position. That allowed current series leader Brad Kroef and Daniel Ludlam to get around him.

So Glen Collinson – and behind him Mitch Sparrow – had some catching up to do. Drama continued further back as Stu Monteith spun into the gravel and out of contention on turn one.

On lap four, everything changed for the front-runners. Glen Collinson pounced on Daniel Ludlam to claim 2^nd, Mitch soon found a gap to claim 3^rd. Then, lap after lap, Glen Collinson kept around 0.5 secs. behind a defensive Brad Kroef. It took until Lap 12 for Glen to finally find the front, and Mitch Sparrow followed through to claim 2^nd.

From there, a real dogfight began. The exuberant Mitch tried everything he could to get around Glen for the next 20+ laps, but the cool, calm & collected Collinson kept ahead.

Even as the margin narrowed to just 0.3 seconds, Mitch couldn’t find a way past. He even posted a 1.45.336 fastest lap of the race in pursuit of victory, but it wasn’t enough. This was another iconic Ford vs Holden grudge match.

All Brad Kroef could do was watch from behind, while also keeping an eye on Daniel Ludlam in his rear-view mirror. Meanwhile, in the midfield, Greg Kroef had overtaken Phill Ross early on. But Phill clung on barely a second back, throwing everything he could at Greg’s feisty Ford in a battle that lasted 25 riveting laps. Just behind them, Paul Fougere managed to keep ahead of a fast-finishing Stu Monteith.

After today’s result, the series points race has tightened considerably, putting potentially four drivers in serious contention for the title. Such a scenario which will make for a spirited V8 Utes finale on 16-17th May at Hampton Downs.

Header Image: Dillon Photography