25/01/17
2016/17 MSC NEW ZEALAND F5000 TASMAN CUP REVIVAL SERIES ROUND 3
A CLEAN SWEEP FOR KEN SMITH (T332) WITH FOUR WINS AT HAMPTON DOWNS.
Rnd 3 2016/17 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series NZ Festival of Motor Racing - celebrating Ken Smith meeting.
Hampton Downs
Fri-Sun Jan 20-22 2017
DAY 1 REPORT Supervet Ken Smith (Lola T332) enjoyed the perfect start to the race meeting named in his honour at Hampton Downs today, claiming pole position and the fastest lap on the way to a runaway win in the first SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series race of the weekend at the annual NZ Festival of Motor Racing.
In the first series' race on the new 3.8km International circuit at the now Tony Quinn-owned Hampton Downs facility south of Auckland, category young gun Alan Dunkley (Lola T332) was quicker in both practise sessions on Friday and joined Smith on the front row of the grid.
In a bold move around the outside on the daunting downhill first turn and through the new section of the circuit Dunkley then edged ahead of the 75-year-old to lead the first two laps. Smith got back in front to lead the third lap, however, and Dunkley slowed then pulled off the track three laps later with engine issues.
With Dunkley out UK-based series returnee Mark Dwyer (Lola T332) inherited second after a race-long duel with high-profile local all-rounder Clark Proctor (March 73A/1).
Fellow Aucklander Grant Martin (Talon MR1A) started and finished fourth with Melbourne driver Paul Zazryn the first of the Australian competitors chasing Trans-Tasman Trophy points in fifth and working his way up from eighth place on the grid.
Sixth - after quickly shrugging off a three-place grid penalty for a spin in qualifying - was SAS Autoparts man David Banks (Talon MR1) with a gap back to Australian ace Bryan Sala (Matich A50/51) then a close following Aaron Burson (McRae GM1) and Glenn Richards (Lola T400).
Richards was the big mover in the mid-pack, worked his way up from 15th on the grid to ninth at the flag.
First of series newcomers from the UK was Brit Chris Atkinson (Surtees TS8) who finished 13th ahead of Australian driver Peter Brennan (Lola T330), and Aaron Burson's father Peter in his McRae GM1, with Ian Riley (Lola T332) 16th.
Defending SAS Autoparts MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series title holder Ken Smith (#11 Lola T332) qualified on pole and won the first series race of the weekend.
Fast Company/Lance Hastie.
DAY 2 REPORT
With a lights-to-flag victory in the feature race at the annual NZ Festival of Motor Racing meeting at Hampton Downs on Sunday afternoon Kiwi racing supervet Ken Smith (Lola T332) made dominating the third round of the 2016/17 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series look easy.
Afterwards though the 75-year-old said it was anything but.
"It might look it from the outside when you are that far in front, but I was giving it 110 percent out there, don’t you worry about that."
Smith, a three-time winner of the New Zealand Grand Prix, four-time winner of the SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series, and now contesting his 59th consecutive season at a national was the featured driver at this year's Festival meeting, and he didn't disappoint.
As well as qualifying quickest and setting the fastest race laps in all three SAS Autoparts MSC F5000 category races he won all but one of the races in the two other categories he contested in other cars, Formula Libre and Historic Formula Ford.
His performance in the feature 12-lap SAS Autoparts MSC race mirrored that in the other two over the race weekend. After early challenges from Mark Dwyer (Lola T332) and Clark Proctor (March 72A/1) Smith put the hammer down and eased away as those behind him tussled over the minor places.
"The car was going good, and handling well but I did back off a bit towards the end when I saw how far back the other two were," he said.
The Festival meeting was a first on the new 3.8km International circuit for Smith though you would never have guessed it.
"It took me a while to get my head around, but now I've done some laps round the place I've got a better handle on it," he said.
Clark Proctor drove a strong race in the feature to finish second, though Mark Dwyer, who followed Smith home in the first two SAS Autoparts MSC Series races at the event, closed dramatically on the last two laps and crossed the finish line just 0.115 of a second behind.
Grant Martin (Talon MR1A) held fourth place and did a great job fending off advances from the first of the visiting Australian drivers, Paul Zazryn (Lola T332), only to slip down the field later on after contact with Brett Willis (Lola T330).
Willis was the big improver in the feature race, working his way forward from eighth to fourth at the flag.
"I enjoy the longer races and the car was coming to us all the time," he said. "Another couple of laps I might have got one more (place)."
Australians Bryan Sala (Matich A50/51) and Peter Brennan (Lola T330) were both in the wars however, Sala losing time and track position in an early tangle which knocked his car's left-hand front wing askew, and Brennan completing the race without the use of third gear.
"Just one of those things," said the Melbourne man, "I lost third gear driving out of pit lane so all the important bits where you needed to be in third I was doing in fourth."
Earlier in the day both Dwyer and Proctor managed to get around Smith through the first two corners at the start of the second SAS Autoparts MSC F5000 race of the weekend. Smith was up for the challenge, however, dispatching the pair before either could get away and easing away until the Safety Car came out on the fourth lap after Ian Riley (Lola T332) spun avoiding another car exiting the final corner and ended up in the barriers on the inside of the circuit.
Dwyer then jumped Proctor for second place when the track went green with just the one lap to go, the order at the chequered flag Smith, Dwyer, Proctor, Martin, Paul Zazryn and David Banks (Talon MR1).
Earlier Russell Greer (Lola T332) and Aaron Burson (McRae GM1) tangled through Turn 1, Greer pulling off the track between Turns 1 and 2, Burson continuing to the pits to check for damage. Glenn Richards (Lola T400) had a half spin, meanwhile, through the new double apex corner linking the International and National circuits but was able to continue and work his way back up to 13th place at the flag.
Best of the first-time British visitors across the three SAS Autoparts MSC races was Chris Atkinson (Surtees TS8) who finished 13th in the first race, ninth in the second and 10th in the third.
Heading into the weekend category young gun Alan Dunkley (Lola T332) was quickest in both practise sessions on Friday and joined Smith on the front row of the grid for the first category race on Saturday.
Dunkley then edged ahead of the 75-year-old to lead the first two laps. Smith got back in front to lead the third lap, however, and Dunkley slowed then pulled off the track three laps later with an engine issue which was to spell an early end to his race weekend.
Mark Dwyer inherited second after a race-long duel with Clark Proctor and Grant Martin started and finished fourth.
Hampton Downs circuit owner Tony Quinn said today that the Ken Smith tribute meeting was one of 'the best ever' and next year the Festival meeting will celebrate Bathurst.
Ken Smith (#11 Lola T332) leads a group of fellow Lola runners. Fast Company/Lance Hastie
Qualifying
1. Ken Smith (Lola T332) 1:29.015
2. Alan Dunkley (Lola T332) 1:30.075
3. Clark Proctor March 73A/1) 1:33.309
4. Grant Martin (Talon MR1A) 1:33.359
5. Mark Dwyer (Lola T332) 1:33.722
6. David Banks (Talon MR1) 1:33.824
7. Brett Willis (Lola T330) 1:34.068
8. Paul Zazryn (Lola T332) 1:34.264
9. Bryan Sala (Matich A50/51) 1:34.659
10. Aaron Burson (McRae GM1) 1:35.026
11. Peter Brennan (Lola T330) 1:35.427
12. Russell Greer (Lola T332) 1:36.913
13. Ian Clements (Lola T332) 1:37.399
14. Chris Atkinson (Surtees TS8) 1:39.073
15. Glenn Richards (Lola T400) 1:40.218
16. Ian Riley 1:40.465 (Lola T332)
17. Shayne Windelburn (Lola T400) 1:41.572
18. Bill Hemming (Elfin MR8) 1:44.027
19. Peter Burson (McRae GM1) 1:44.590
20. Frank Karl (McLaren M10B) 1:47.522
21. Karl Zohs (Chevron B32) 1:54.910
22. Mike Sidgewick (Trojan T101) 1:56.481
23. Gregory Thornton (Chevron B24) 0.000
Race 1 (8 laps) Saturday
1. Ken Smith 12:09:786
2. Mark Dwyer +16.214
3. Clark Proctor +16.721
4. Grant Martin +29.163
5. Paul Zazryn +31.289
6. David Banks +31.957
7. Bryan Sala +44.594
8. Aaron Burson +45.046
9. Glenn Richards +45.129
10. Ian Clements +45.995
11. Russell Greer +49.636
12. Shayne Windelburn +59.000
13. Chris Atkinson + 1.12.908
14. Peter Brennan +1.20.012
15. Peter Burson +1.24.963
16. Ian Riley 1.29.471
17. Bill Hemming +1 lap
18. Frank Karl +1 lap
19. Mike Sidgewick +1 lap
20. Karl Zohs +1 lap
DNF Brett Willis, Alan Dunkley.
Race 2 Sunday 6 laps
1. Ken Smith 10:37.431
2. Mark Dwyer +1.51
3. Clark Proctor +1.727
4. Grant Martin +2.790
5. Paul Zazryn +3.456
6. David Banks +4.082
7. Bryan Sala +5.550
8. Ian Clements +6.533
9. Chris Atkinson +8.066
10. Brett Willis +8.593
11. Peter Brennan +10.236
12. Shayne Windelburn +10.540
13. Glenn Richards +13.184
14. Peter Burson +13.301
15. Bill Hemming +18.585
16. Frank Karl +20.178
17. Mike Sidgewick +1.11.578
18. Karl Zohs +1 lap
DNF. Ian Riley. Aaron Burson, Russell Greer.
Race 3 Sunday 12 laps
1. Ken Smith 18:22.855
2. Clark Proctor +26.705
3. Mark Dwyer +26.820
4. Brett Willis +35.052
5. David Banks +38.422
6. Paul Zazryn +39.293
7. Ian Clements +43.803
8. Glenn Richards +48.065
9. Shayne Windelburn +1.01.908
10. Chris Atkinson +1.11.169
11. Bryan Sala +1.14.499
12. Russell Greer +1.21.912
13. Aaron Burson +1.31.247
14. Grant Martin +1.37.753
15. Peter Burson +1 lap
16. Bill Hemming +1 lap
17. Frank Karl +1 lap
18. Peter Brennan +1 lap
19. Mike Sidgewick +2 laps
Mark Dwyer (Lola T332) leads David Banks (Talon MR1).
Fast Company/Lance Hastie.
The 2016/17 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series is organised and run with the support of sponsors SAS Autoparts, MSC, NZ Express Transport, Bonney's Specialized Bulk Transport, Mobil Lubricants, Pacifica, Avon Tyres, Webdesign and Exide Batteries.
CALENDAR
2016/17 New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series
Rnd 1 - Oct 22-23 2016 – Barbagallo Raceway Perth WA Aust
Rnd 2 - Nov 05-06 2016 – VHRR Historic Sandown meeting Melbourne VIC, Aust
Rnd 3 - Jan 21-22 2017 - NZFMR - Ken Smith – Hampton Downs Auckland NZ
Rnd 4 - Jan 28-29 2017 - Race of Champions Revival - Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park Taupo NZ
Rnd 5 - Feb 04-05 2017 – Skope Classic Mike Pero Motorsport Park Ruapuna Christchurch, NZ
Peter Brennan (Lola T330) leading fellow Australian Bryan Sala (Matich A50/51) and Kiwis Glenn Richards (Lola T400) and David Banks (Talon MR1).
Fast Company/Lance Hastie.
Paul Zazryn (Lola T332) leads fellow Australian Bryan Sala (Matich A50/51) and Kiwi David Banks (Talon MR1).
Fast Company/Lance Hastie.
Hampton Downs
Fri-Sun Jan 20-22 2017
DAY 1 REPORT Supervet Ken Smith (Lola T332) enjoyed the perfect start to the race meeting named in his honour at Hampton Downs today, claiming pole position and the fastest lap on the way to a runaway win in the first SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series race of the weekend at the annual NZ Festival of Motor Racing.
In the first series' race on the new 3.8km International circuit at the now Tony Quinn-owned Hampton Downs facility south of Auckland, category young gun Alan Dunkley (Lola T332) was quicker in both practise sessions on Friday and joined Smith on the front row of the grid.
In a bold move around the outside on the daunting downhill first turn and through the new section of the circuit Dunkley then edged ahead of the 75-year-old to lead the first two laps. Smith got back in front to lead the third lap, however, and Dunkley slowed then pulled off the track three laps later with engine issues.
With Dunkley out UK-based series returnee Mark Dwyer (Lola T332) inherited second after a race-long duel with high-profile local all-rounder Clark Proctor (March 73A/1).
Fellow Aucklander Grant Martin (Talon MR1A) started and finished fourth with Melbourne driver Paul Zazryn the first of the Australian competitors chasing Trans-Tasman Trophy points in fifth and working his way up from eighth place on the grid.
Sixth - after quickly shrugging off a three-place grid penalty for a spin in qualifying - was SAS Autoparts man David Banks (Talon MR1) with a gap back to Australian ace Bryan Sala (Matich A50/51) then a close following Aaron Burson (McRae GM1) and Glenn Richards (Lola T400).
Richards was the big mover in the mid-pack, worked his way up from 15th on the grid to ninth at the flag.
First of series newcomers from the UK was Brit Chris Atkinson (Surtees TS8) who finished 13th ahead of Australian driver Peter Brennan (Lola T330), and Aaron Burson's father Peter in his McRae GM1, with Ian Riley (Lola T332) 16th.
Defending SAS Autoparts MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series title holder Ken Smith (#11 Lola T332) qualified on pole and won the first series race of the weekend.
Fast Company/Lance Hastie.
DAY 2 REPORT
With a lights-to-flag victory in the feature race at the annual NZ Festival of Motor Racing meeting at Hampton Downs on Sunday afternoon Kiwi racing supervet Ken Smith (Lola T332) made dominating the third round of the 2016/17 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series look easy.
Afterwards though the 75-year-old said it was anything but.
"It might look it from the outside when you are that far in front, but I was giving it 110 percent out there, don’t you worry about that."
Smith, a three-time winner of the New Zealand Grand Prix, four-time winner of the SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series, and now contesting his 59th consecutive season at a national was the featured driver at this year's Festival meeting, and he didn't disappoint.
As well as qualifying quickest and setting the fastest race laps in all three SAS Autoparts MSC F5000 category races he won all but one of the races in the two other categories he contested in other cars, Formula Libre and Historic Formula Ford.
His performance in the feature 12-lap SAS Autoparts MSC race mirrored that in the other two over the race weekend. After early challenges from Mark Dwyer (Lola T332) and Clark Proctor (March 72A/1) Smith put the hammer down and eased away as those behind him tussled over the minor places.
"The car was going good, and handling well but I did back off a bit towards the end when I saw how far back the other two were," he said.
The Festival meeting was a first on the new 3.8km International circuit for Smith though you would never have guessed it.
"It took me a while to get my head around, but now I've done some laps round the place I've got a better handle on it," he said.
Clark Proctor drove a strong race in the feature to finish second, though Mark Dwyer, who followed Smith home in the first two SAS Autoparts MSC Series races at the event, closed dramatically on the last two laps and crossed the finish line just 0.115 of a second behind.
Grant Martin (Talon MR1A) held fourth place and did a great job fending off advances from the first of the visiting Australian drivers, Paul Zazryn (Lola T332), only to slip down the field later on after contact with Brett Willis (Lola T330).
Willis was the big improver in the feature race, working his way forward from eighth to fourth at the flag.
"I enjoy the longer races and the car was coming to us all the time," he said. "Another couple of laps I might have got one more (place)."
Australians Bryan Sala (Matich A50/51) and Peter Brennan (Lola T330) were both in the wars however, Sala losing time and track position in an early tangle which knocked his car's left-hand front wing askew, and Brennan completing the race without the use of third gear.
"Just one of those things," said the Melbourne man, "I lost third gear driving out of pit lane so all the important bits where you needed to be in third I was doing in fourth."
Earlier in the day both Dwyer and Proctor managed to get around Smith through the first two corners at the start of the second SAS Autoparts MSC F5000 race of the weekend. Smith was up for the challenge, however, dispatching the pair before either could get away and easing away until the Safety Car came out on the fourth lap after Ian Riley (Lola T332) spun avoiding another car exiting the final corner and ended up in the barriers on the inside of the circuit.
Dwyer then jumped Proctor for second place when the track went green with just the one lap to go, the order at the chequered flag Smith, Dwyer, Proctor, Martin, Paul Zazryn and David Banks (Talon MR1).
Earlier Russell Greer (Lola T332) and Aaron Burson (McRae GM1) tangled through Turn 1, Greer pulling off the track between Turns 1 and 2, Burson continuing to the pits to check for damage. Glenn Richards (Lola T400) had a half spin, meanwhile, through the new double apex corner linking the International and National circuits but was able to continue and work his way back up to 13th place at the flag.
Best of the first-time British visitors across the three SAS Autoparts MSC races was Chris Atkinson (Surtees TS8) who finished 13th in the first race, ninth in the second and 10th in the third.
Heading into the weekend category young gun Alan Dunkley (Lola T332) was quickest in both practise sessions on Friday and joined Smith on the front row of the grid for the first category race on Saturday.
Dunkley then edged ahead of the 75-year-old to lead the first two laps. Smith got back in front to lead the third lap, however, and Dunkley slowed then pulled off the track three laps later with an engine issue which was to spell an early end to his race weekend.
Mark Dwyer inherited second after a race-long duel with Clark Proctor and Grant Martin started and finished fourth.
Hampton Downs circuit owner Tony Quinn said today that the Ken Smith tribute meeting was one of 'the best ever' and next year the Festival meeting will celebrate Bathurst.
Ken Smith (#11 Lola T332) leads a group of fellow Lola runners. Fast Company/Lance Hastie
Qualifying
1. Ken Smith (Lola T332) 1:29.015
2. Alan Dunkley (Lola T332) 1:30.075
3. Clark Proctor March 73A/1) 1:33.309
4. Grant Martin (Talon MR1A) 1:33.359
5. Mark Dwyer (Lola T332) 1:33.722
6. David Banks (Talon MR1) 1:33.824
7. Brett Willis (Lola T330) 1:34.068
8. Paul Zazryn (Lola T332) 1:34.264
9. Bryan Sala (Matich A50/51) 1:34.659
10. Aaron Burson (McRae GM1) 1:35.026
11. Peter Brennan (Lola T330) 1:35.427
12. Russell Greer (Lola T332) 1:36.913
13. Ian Clements (Lola T332) 1:37.399
14. Chris Atkinson (Surtees TS8) 1:39.073
15. Glenn Richards (Lola T400) 1:40.218
16. Ian Riley 1:40.465 (Lola T332)
17. Shayne Windelburn (Lola T400) 1:41.572
18. Bill Hemming (Elfin MR8) 1:44.027
19. Peter Burson (McRae GM1) 1:44.590
20. Frank Karl (McLaren M10B) 1:47.522
21. Karl Zohs (Chevron B32) 1:54.910
22. Mike Sidgewick (Trojan T101) 1:56.481
23. Gregory Thornton (Chevron B24) 0.000
Race 1 (8 laps) Saturday
1. Ken Smith 12:09:786
2. Mark Dwyer +16.214
3. Clark Proctor +16.721
4. Grant Martin +29.163
5. Paul Zazryn +31.289
6. David Banks +31.957
7. Bryan Sala +44.594
8. Aaron Burson +45.046
9. Glenn Richards +45.129
10. Ian Clements +45.995
11. Russell Greer +49.636
12. Shayne Windelburn +59.000
13. Chris Atkinson + 1.12.908
14. Peter Brennan +1.20.012
15. Peter Burson +1.24.963
16. Ian Riley 1.29.471
17. Bill Hemming +1 lap
18. Frank Karl +1 lap
19. Mike Sidgewick +1 lap
20. Karl Zohs +1 lap
DNF Brett Willis, Alan Dunkley.
Race 2 Sunday 6 laps
1. Ken Smith 10:37.431
2. Mark Dwyer +1.51
3. Clark Proctor +1.727
4. Grant Martin +2.790
5. Paul Zazryn +3.456
6. David Banks +4.082
7. Bryan Sala +5.550
8. Ian Clements +6.533
9. Chris Atkinson +8.066
10. Brett Willis +8.593
11. Peter Brennan +10.236
12. Shayne Windelburn +10.540
13. Glenn Richards +13.184
14. Peter Burson +13.301
15. Bill Hemming +18.585
16. Frank Karl +20.178
17. Mike Sidgewick +1.11.578
18. Karl Zohs +1 lap
DNF. Ian Riley. Aaron Burson, Russell Greer.
Race 3 Sunday 12 laps
1. Ken Smith 18:22.855
2. Clark Proctor +26.705
3. Mark Dwyer +26.820
4. Brett Willis +35.052
5. David Banks +38.422
6. Paul Zazryn +39.293
7. Ian Clements +43.803
8. Glenn Richards +48.065
9. Shayne Windelburn +1.01.908
10. Chris Atkinson +1.11.169
11. Bryan Sala +1.14.499
12. Russell Greer +1.21.912
13. Aaron Burson +1.31.247
14. Grant Martin +1.37.753
15. Peter Burson +1 lap
16. Bill Hemming +1 lap
17. Frank Karl +1 lap
18. Peter Brennan +1 lap
19. Mike Sidgewick +2 laps
Mark Dwyer (Lola T332) leads David Banks (Talon MR1).
Fast Company/Lance Hastie.
The 2016/17 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series is organised and run with the support of sponsors SAS Autoparts, MSC, NZ Express Transport, Bonney's Specialized Bulk Transport, Mobil Lubricants, Pacifica, Avon Tyres, Webdesign and Exide Batteries.
CALENDAR
2016/17 New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series
Rnd 1 - Oct 22-23 2016 – Barbagallo Raceway Perth WA Aust
Rnd 2 - Nov 05-06 2016 – VHRR Historic Sandown meeting Melbourne VIC, Aust
Rnd 3 - Jan 21-22 2017 - NZFMR - Ken Smith – Hampton Downs Auckland NZ
Rnd 4 - Jan 28-29 2017 - Race of Champions Revival - Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park Taupo NZ
Rnd 5 - Feb 04-05 2017 – Skope Classic Mike Pero Motorsport Park Ruapuna Christchurch, NZ
Peter Brennan (Lola T330) leading fellow Australian Bryan Sala (Matich A50/51) and Kiwis Glenn Richards (Lola T400) and David Banks (Talon MR1).
Fast Company/Lance Hastie.
Paul Zazryn (Lola T332) leads fellow Australian Bryan Sala (Matich A50/51) and Kiwi David Banks (Talon MR1).
Fast Company/Lance Hastie.