Local F5000 category hero Michael Collins (Leda GM1) capped a memorable return to New Zealand’s SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series at the re-jigged Skope Classic meeting at his home track in Christchurch on Sunday April 10.

Driving away from a top class field, Collins comfortably won the 12-lap F5000 feature race and was the first driver to earn the Bert Hawthorne Memorial Trophy which will now go with it.

Behind the wheel of his family-run, Alistair & Vicky Hey-owned ex-Graham McRae Leda GM1 (001) Collins (27) was obviously determined to make the most of the opportunities the Skope Classic’s COVID-19-inspired date-swap pred.

His pole lap – a scintillating 1:18.868 – for instance , was the only sub 1:19.00 lap set across the whole weekend, and though arch rival and eventual feature race and event runner-up, Steve Ross from Dunedin (McRae GM1 009) was able to match and even better Collins’s best laps in race trim, in terms of ultimate track speed Collins was King!

Which he put beyond doubt in the 12-lap feature final race late this afternoon.

Steve Ross again got the better start and held the lead – albeit briefly – through the first corner Collins had grabbed it back just two corners later and, with a clear track in front of him Collins quickly built up a two second buffer on Ross.

Earlier in the day Collins also won the second – full handicap ‘lolliepop’ rolling start 7-lap - SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series race of the weekend, after he and fellow back row starter Steve Ross, both made up their full 75 second handicaps within six of the seven laps, Collins taking the win from a fast-finishing Steve Ross, the gap at the finish line just 1.119 of a second.

Third home was Davd Banks, (Talon MR1), fourth Kevin Ingram (Lola T332) and fifth Tony Roberts in the first of the Class 2 McLAren M10Bs.

Not surprisingly the first SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Series race of the weekend on saurday also tuuned into a Miichael Collins benefit.

He and Steve Ross swapping the lead a couple of times amongst themselves, before a mistake by Ross allowed Collins a final pass for the lead which he managed to hold onto until the chequered flag came out.

Third across the line – having spent much of the race defending the position from fellow Lola T332 driver Codie Banks – was the ever-improving Kevin Ingram.

Just when Banks Jnr thought he was in with a chance, he was forced to slow dramatically then stop completely as his car’s engine suddenly lost all oil pressure (Talon MR1).

Finally in the battle for Class A honours (for earlier era cars) category stalwart Tony Roberts in his recently acquired ex Kip Ackerman South African series McLaren M10B (400-08), was shadowed all the way to by Toby Annabell from Hawera in Taranaki in his similar M10B.

Aucklander Frank Karl had battery issues with his McLaren M10B however and was one of three drivers who DNFed today’s race.

The other two were Rnd 1 race winner Grant Martin (Talon MR1/A) who broke a half shaft on the first full lap, prompting an early Safety Car intervention while the prone car was moved, and Tony Galbraith (Lola T332) who had engine issues.

The SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Serries is organised and run with the support of sponsors SAS Autoparts, MSC, NZ Express Transport, Bonney's Specialised Bulk Transport, Mobil Lubricants, Pacifica, Avon Tyres, Webdesign and Exide Batteries.

Qualifying

1. Michael Collins (Leda GM1 001/ChCh) 1:18.868
2. Steve Ross (McRae GM1/Dun) 1:19.973
3. Kevin Ingram ( Lola T332/Fldg) 1:20.881
4. Grant Martin (Talon MR1/A/Ackld) 1:21.579
5. Codie Banks (Lola T332/Ackld) 1:21.734
6. David Banks (Talon MR1/Ackld) 1:22.383
7. Tony Galbraith (Lola T332/Hamp Dwns) 1.24.005
8. Bruce Kett (Lola T332/Ham) 1:29:561
9. Alastair Chalmers (Chevron B32/H-B) 1:29.956
10. Tony Roberts (McLaren M10B/H-B) 1:30.614
11. Toby Annabell (McLaren M10B/Tara) 1: 1:31.566
12. Frank Karl (McLaren M10B/Ackld) 1:31.750

Race 1 (8 laps Sat pm)

1. Michael Collins 12:59.934
2. Steve Ross +1.047
3. Kevin Ingram +8.038
4. David Banks +13.158
5. Bruce Kett +42.293 +29.135
6. Alastair Chalmers +45.412 +3.119
7. Tony Roberts +50.084 +4.672
8. Toby Annabell +50.388 +0.304
9. Codie Banks 6 1:22.483 2 Laps 2 Laps 10:22.640 1:22.2
DNF: Grant Martin, Tony Galbraith, Frank Karl.

RACE 2 (7 lap rolling start handicap)

1. Michael Collins 10:09.763 7 laps
2. Steve Ross +1.119
3. David Banks +7.810
4. Kevin Ingram +9.668
5. Tony Roberts +32.020
6. Bruce Kett + 32.151
7. Alastair Chalmers +32.412
8. Toby Annabell +36.268 7
9. Tony Galbraith +1 lap
DNF: Grant Martin +6 laps
DNS: Frank Karl.

RACE 3 THE BERT HAWTHORNE TROPHY FEATURE 12 Laps Sun pm

1.Michael Collins 12 laps 16:12.702
2. Steve Ross +3.581
3. Kevin Ingram +28.891
4. Grant Martin +32.397
5. Codie Banks +45.107
6, Tony Galbraith +1:25.979
7. Bruce Kett +1 Lap
8. Tony Roberts +1 Lap
9. Toby Annabell +1 Lap
10. Frank Karl +1 Lap
DNS: Alastair Chalmers