Dunedin’s Steve Ross (McRae GM1) delivered a dominant performance in today’s SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series at the Taupō International Motorsport Park, claiming two race wins and leading a podium filled with cars built by the late Graham McRae.
Four races concluded the second round of the 2024/2025 season. The central plateau weather was cooler on Sunday, with dappled cloud diffusing the summer sun.
The afternoon’s ten-lap race, longer than many drivers are accustomed to, offered the younger entrants a chance to flex their fitness. Ross, however, was unfazed, pulling clear of the field to cross the line with a commanding margin of 7.373 seconds. Blenheim’s Michael Hey finished second, followed by Christchurch’s Michael Collins – teammates driving a pair of McRae GM1s. The result also marked an all-South Island driver podium.
Feilding’s Kevin Ingram (Lola T332) finished fourth, enough to retain his lead in the season standings with 150 points, just three ahead of Hey. Tony Galbraith (Lola T332) remains third overall through consistent finishes across the weekend (5th, 2nd, 5th, 7th).
Expectations were Collins and Hey might challenge Ross, with the teammates swapping positions on the penultimate lap in an intense duel.
“It couldn’t be too much better,” said Ross after securing two wins on Sunday. Scoring the highest points of the weekend, he now sits fifth overall in the standings, behind Clevedon’s Glenn Richards (Lola T332).
Signalling that he is just getting started, 25-year-old Hey, a new entrant to the series, expressed his delight with a standout performance, saying, “That was probably the best race in Formula 5000 I’ve had yet. It was a bit of a climb from fifth, but the extra laps were good for getting into a rhythm.”
For teammate Michael Collins in the #22 McRae GM1, the result was a highlight following a race-ending tyre issue on Saturday: “We’ve been clawing our way back since race one and working up the grid. It’s been great to have both team cars on the podium. I don’t know how they did it back in the day – 100-mile races! After 10 laps, I’m feeling it.”
The only car not to finish was Brett Willis’s #19 Lola T332, which stopped on lap eight due to a gearbox selection issue.
Frank Karl (McLaren M10B) led fellow Class A competitor Tony Roberts (McLaren M10A) to finish ninth overall.
The morning’s six-lap race continued from Saturday’s scratch start. Starting on the inside, Ross used the rolling start to his advantage, leading the field after the first lap. The field followed in a procession, apart from Michael Collins, who started from the back in his STP McRae GM1 and carved his way through to finish fourth.
Ross also set the fastest lap of the race, clocking a 1m25.495.
Toby Annabell’s McLaren M10B retired on the penultimate lap with engine failure, while David Banks’s Lola T332 stopped mid-race with suspected fueling issues. Frank Karl (McLaren M10B) again led Tony Roberts (McLaren M10A) for Class A honours.
Auckland’s Codie Banks (Talon MR1) was absent from the weekend’s races after an engine issue in qualifying sidelined the car before Saturday’s first race. Fortunately, the engine avoided significant damage and will be rebuilt in time for the series’ next round.
The third round of the series – the NZIGP Legends of Speed event, celebrating David Oxton – takes place at Hampton Downs from 24–26 January 2025. Toby Annabell will switch to his second McLaren M10B, while Feilding’s Tim Rush will return in his McLaren M22.
Supporting the series is SAS Autoparts, MSC, NZ Express Transport, Bonney’s Specialised Bulk Transport, Mobil Lubricants, Nova Tyres, Webdesign, Exide Batteries and Pacifica Shipping – who sea freight the cars for the New Zealand events. Their commitment ensures that this classic racing series remains a highlight of New Zealand’s motorsport calendar.
