Martin makes his move as Hampton Downs delivers a flawless opening day

Piha’s Grant Martin has shaken the F5000 field awake at the NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series season finale, sweeping to a commanding Race 1 victory as Hampton Downs Motorsport Park delivered a flawless opening day for the Legends of Speed event — with points leader Anna Collins extending her series lead to 25 points, Sunday’s two-race conclusion still to come.

Michael Hey set the tone in qualifying, the Blenheim driver threading the ex-Graeme Lawrence Lola T332 (HU28) around the circuit in 1:01.830 to claim pole position.

Grant Martin, using his spare engine, was a close second — 0.458 seconds adrift in his Talon MR1A, with Anna Collins (McRae GM1 #004) qualifying third at 0.914 seconds off pole. Glenn Richards’ Lola T332 slotted fourth, Kevin Ingram fifth, and Tony Galbraith sixth — the top six B Class runners covered by just 2.4 seconds.

When the eight-lap race rolled away in the afternoon, it was Martin who made the decisive move. Launching from second on the grid, the Talon MR1A driver swept around polesitter Hey to seize a lead he held to the chequered flag. Martin crossed the line in 8:27.763 — a winning margin of 4.882 seconds — his fastest race lap of 1:02.058, bettering his qualifying time, an indicator of a car well suited to Hampton Downs.

Collins ran a composed third throughout, racing in clean air between Hey ahead and Ingram in close attendance behind. The approach was deliberate, bank the result.

She finished 6.6 seconds behind the winner, extending her series lead to 25 points over Richards — up from 23 at the start of the day. Richards crossed the line fifth behind Ingram, with Galbraith completing the top six. The entire B Class front group was covered in just 11.6 seconds after eight laps.

“It was good to get a strong qualifying result and be starting at the pointy end of the grid,” Collins said.

“I had a good session yesterday in practice, especially since I’m not that familiar with the track.”

Collins had made good use of the Friday practice session, drawing on some distinguished trackside knowledge. Looking on were three figures synonymous with the F5000 era: Kenny Smith, Graeme Lawrence and David Oxton — each with a direct connection to cars of this type in their competitive prime.

“It was good to speak with them and hear their experience — especially Kenny, who is very familiar with the track,” Collins said.

“They bring a lot of value, so it was special to have their input and support.”

Her next objective is straightforward: bring the car home. With two races still to run and the series lead intact, the approach that has served her all season remains unchanged.

For Clyde Walters, Saturday was a landmark of a different kind. The South Auckland newcomer did not collect a qualifying result but made the afternoon starting grid, guiding the 1968 Lola T142 — the oldest car in the field and the only Ford-powered entry — to a classified finish in his first competitive outing in the car.

Toby Annabell (McLaren M10B) took the A Class honours and continues to hold a commanding lead in that category, with Tony Roberts classified eighth overall after being slowed with a brake issue.

Sunday’s two-race programme begins with an eight-lap race just before lunch — followed by the season-closing 10-lap scratch race in the afternoon, gridded on today’s finishing order. For Collins, Richards, Ingram and Martin, the arithmetic remains open.

Qualifying Results

Race 1 Results – 8 Laps

The NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series is proudly in its 23rd season, supported by SAS Autoparts, MSC, NZ Express Transport, Bonney’s Specialised Bulk Transport, Mobil Lubricants, Avon Motorsport Tyres – Dold Industries, Webdesign, Exide Batteries and Pacifica Shipping.

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Header Image: Matt Smith