On his series return, Grant Martin had what it took to score two race wins at The Paul Fahey Legends of Speed meeting in Hampton Downs (round 4 F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series).
The 2020/21 F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series final round, being The Paul Fahey Legends of Speed meeting, was held on the weekend of March 20 -21 at Hampton Downs, Waikatao, New Zealand. Three races took place over the weekend with category returnee Grant Martin taking out two races.
Photos by Matt Smith
Race 1
The weekend initially appeared as if Michael Collins (Leda GM1) was going to maintain his winning streak; however, Grant Martin stole the show by qualifying second with his Talon MR1/A and then lead in the first race from start to finish.
Martin was able to outmaneuver pole-sitter Michael Collins after the starter held the lights till the very last second, and despite all good effort, the young Christchurch champion was powerless to find a way past until the last lap.
On entering the downhill hairpin, his car’s half (drive) shafts let go, which left Collins at the side of the track, and Martin was able to progress ahead and finish the final lap unchallenged.
Codie Banks and Kevin Ingram (both in the Lola T332) finished the race second and third respectfully.
Fourth place went to Glenn Richards (Lola T400), who started the race from P10 on the grid but could make up ground throughout the race.
The fourth quickest qualifier, David Banks, could not make the grid as he was encountering an issue with his Talon MR1’s crown and pinion.
Bruce Kett, in his newly acquired ex-Ian Riley Lola T332, qualified in 16th place but with some skilled driving finished the race in 11th position.
Qualifying of Round 4 F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series
| Michael Collins (Leda GM1) | 1:01.351 |
| Grant Martin (Talon MR1/A) | 1:01.699 |
| Codie Banks (Lola T332) | 1:02.728 |
| David Banks (Talon MR1) | 1:02.843 |
| Kevin Ingram (Lola T332) | 1:03.656 |
| Anna Collins (Leda LT27) | 1:03.854 |
| Brett Willis (Lola T332) | 1:03.968 |
| Tom Alexander (McLaren M10B) | 1:03.971 |
| Glenn Richards (Lola T400) | 1:04.349 |
| Shayne Windelburn (Lola T400) | 1:06.636 |
| Tim Rush (McLaren M22) | 1:08.426 |
| 12. Russell Greer (Lola T332) | 1:08.506 |
| Frank Karl (McLaren M10B) | 1:08.529 |
| Tony Roberts (McLaren M10A) | 1:11.440 |
| Toby Annabell (McLaren M10B) | 1:11.843 |
| Bruce Kett (Lola T332) | 1:12.802 |
| 17. Chris Watson (Gardos) | 1:23.520 |
Race 1 (Sat 8 laps) of Round 4 F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series
| Grant Martin (Talon MR1/A) | 8:22.228 |
| Codie Banks (Lola T332) | +6.923 |
| Kevin Ingram (Lola T332) | +13.551 |
| 4. Glenn Richards (Lola T400) | +21.246 |
| Brett Willis (Lola T332) | +22.576 |
| Anna Collins (Leda LT27) | +22.912 |
| Shayne Windelburn (Lola T400) | +30.779 |
| Tim Rush (McLaren M22) | +42.065 |
| Frank Karl (McLaren M10B) | +51.612 |
| Tony Roberts (McLaren M10A) | +53.719 |
| Bruce Kett (Lola T332) | +62:101 |
| Toby Annabell (McLaren M10B) | +1 lap |
| Chris Watson (Gardos) | +1 lap |
| DNF. Michael Collins 7 laps; Russell Greer 6 laps |
Race 2 (Sun am 8-lap handicap start)
| Shayne Windelburn | 8:58.521 |
| Kevin Ingram | +3.254 |
| Tim Rush | +8.921 |
| 4. Russell Greer | +9.863 |
| Frank Karl | +10.261 |
| Glenn Richards | +10.330 |
| Mike Collins | +11.704 |
| Grant Martin | +15.931 |
| Tony Roberts | +19.103 |
| 10. Anna Collins | +19.556 |
| Codie Banks | +9:18.821 |
| Bruce Kett | +1 lap |
| Toby Annabell | +1 lap |
Race 3 (Final Sun pm 10 laps)
The final race for the season saw Grant Martin (Talon MR1A) earn his second series race win of the weekend against Michael Collins (Leda GM1). Kevin Ingram (Lola T332) was able to hold third, while Anna Collins (Leda LT27) and Glenn Richards (Lola T400) came in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Unfortunately, early in the race, the field had to spend three laps behind the Safety Car to get Chris Watson’s Gardos out of the gravel trap between Turns 1 and 2 at the end of the short straight.
When the track went green, Collins made his way up into the second place, and Grant Martin’s Talon MR1/A was in his sights; however, it was not to be with Martin taking victory in the race.
Collins shared, “Seriously, I really wanted to win that one, and I would have had him if there had been one more lap.”
Race 3 (Final Sun pm 10 laps)
| Grant Martin | 13:28.700 |
| Mike Collins | +0.075 |
| Kevin Ingram | +5.499 |
| Anna Collins | +6.316 |
| Glenn Richards | +7.979 |
| Codie Banks | +12.562 |
| Shayne Windelburn | +14.144 |
| Bruce Kett | +20.793 |
| Tim Rush | +21.667 |
| Russell Greer | +27.327 |
| Frank Karl | +31.401 |
| Tony Roberts | +35.824 |
| Toby Annabell | +36.408 |
| DNF. Chris Watson |
The SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series is run and organized with the help and support of the sponsors SAS Autoparts, MSC, NZ Express Transport, Mobil Lubricants, Bonney’s Specialised Bulk Transport, Pacifica, Webdesign, Avon Tyres, and Exide Batteries.
[Source: New Zealand Formula 5000 Association, Photos by Matt Smith]
Back in the day F5000 really was something else; in those days I hung out at Oulton Park (UK) as a photographer- happy days. I was great to have loads of the cars back over here just a few years ago.
Excellent photos although the back-grounds to our shots these days seem to contain too many safari-park fences and steel barriers!