Fastest qualifier Ken Smith drove his Lola T430 to win the rain-affected first MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series race, held January 22nd, 2011, at the Hampton Downs circuit in the northern Waikato region of New Zealand.
After topping the time sheets in qualifying on Friday afternoon defending series champion Smith started the combined F5000/F1 race on the first day of competition at the first of two NZ Festival of Motor Racing – Chris Amon meetings favourite but found himself on the back foot after running wide into the first turn.
Making light of the streaming track conditions, however, he came back and in a dramatic move wrestled his way past fellow front row starter Mark Dwyer’s Lola T400 to reclaim the lead.
As it turned out that was very much it as far as the race was concerned, Canadian visitor Jay Esterer bringing out the red flag (to stop the race) soon after when he lost control of his McRae GM1 and clouted the infield wall on the way up the start/finish straight.
By the time the track was cleared the rain which had been falling steadily since earlier in the day had increased to such an intensity that a decision was made to complete the race under the Safety Car, Smith credited with the win from Dwyer, series young gun Michael Lyons (Lola T400) and fellow UK visitor Peter Dunn (March 73/A) with last season’s series runner-up Steve Ross (McRae GM1) fifth and F5000 category original Reg Cook (Lola T400) first of the series new faces in sixth.
Torrential rain has forced event officials to postpone Sunday’s programme at the first NZ Festival of Motor Racing – Chris Amon – meeting at Hampton Downs.
Since the first day of racing was compromised by the monsoon-like conditions, officials decided to call an early halt to proceedings because of the on-going effects of the inclement weather.
Fortunately the meeting was the first of two over consecutive weekends at the new circuit so entrants – particularly the many from overseas – will at least get a chance to contest their categories, including the programme-leading MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series races, hopefully in better conditions, next weekend.
The MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series is organised and run with the support of sponsors MSC, NZ Express Transport, Bonney’s Specialized Bulk Transport, Mobil Lubricants, Pacifica, Smith & Davies, Avon Tyres and Exide.
2010/11 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series – Qualifying
1. Ken Smith (Lola T430) 1.01.162
2. Michael Dwyer (Lola T400) 1.01.723
3. Michael Lyons (Lola T400) 1.02.066
4. Steve Ross (McRae GM1) 1.02.212
5. Roger Williams (Lola T332) 1.02.261
6. Peter Dunn (March 73/A) 1.02.670
7. Jay Esterer (McRae GM1) 1.02.681
8. Alastair Russell (McRae GM1) 1.03.245
9. Aaron Burson (McRae GM1) 1.03.432
10. Reg Cook (Lola T400) 1.03.852
11. Andrew Higgins (Lola T400) 1.03.997
12. Russell Greer (Lola T332) 1.04.252
13. Ian Cements (Lola T332) 1.04.633
14. Greg Thornton (Chevron B24) 1.05.122
15. Sefton Gibb (Lola T332) 1.05.167
16. Michael Whatley (Surtees TS8) 1.05.585
17. Clark Proctor (March 73A-1)1.05.634
18. Ron Maydon (Amon AF1-01) 1.06.304
19. Brett Willis (Lola T330) 1.06.517
20. Frank Lyons (Gurney Eagle FA74) 1.06.709
21. Peter Burson (McRae GM1) 1.08.618
22. Peter Sundberg (Lola T332) 1.09.600
23. Warwick Mortimer (Surtees TS5) 1.10.266
24. Poul Christie (Lola T190) 1.10.870
25. Kerry McIntosh (Begg FM2) 1.11.341
26. Hamish Paterson (Chevron B32) 1.13.511
NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival 2011 – Chris Amon Festival Race Results
1. Ken Smith 11:16.102
2. Mark Dwyer
3. Michael Lyons
4. Peter Dunn
5. Steve Ross
6. Reg Cook
7. Russell Greer
8. Ian Clements
9. Gregory Thornton
10. Brett Willis
11. Hamish Paterson
12. Michael Whatley
13. Frank Lyons
DNF. Jay Esterer
DNF. Poul Christie
DNF. Peter Sundberg
DNF. Aaron Burson
DNF. Ron Maydon
DNS. Roger Williams
DNS. Alastair Russell
DNS. Andrew Higgins
DNS. Sefton Gibb
DNS. Clark Proctor
DNS. Peter Burson
DNS. Warwick Mortimer
DNS. Kerry McIntosh
DNS. Shayne Windelburn
DNS. Stuart Lush
[Source: photo credit: NZ F5000 Assoc.; Fast Company/GroundSky Photography]
There is no question that the race drivers down under in New Zealand have always been very serious and aggressive in their F5000 Tasman Cup Revival series. It is amazing to me that this is still considered vintage racing with F5000 cars updated to effectively race with vigor. These may be updated chassis in some regards, however are still aged historic race cars, many are irreplaceable. With all due respect, some of the drivers seem to race with such vigor and red mist as demonstrated above with out regards for safety of others and their machines.
I can’t help but think many of these drivers feel they will be recognized for future rides in professional racing? Others who race these fast and furious F5000 cars indeed have varying degrees of experience, skills to manage these cars under normal dry conditions, let alone adverse rain conditions.
Many I believe have lost perspective as to the purpose of vintage racing and the costs of their machines. You have to ask yourself, ” How much Prize Monies are awarded in these vintage events at the end of the day”. Something to think about, as these cars are historic vintage race cars performing, not modern day F1 machines with compensating sponsorships and prize money awarded.
From a Different perspective
Tony Adamowicz, a2z Racer
RIAM Eagle Mk 5
http://www.a2zracer.com
http://www.a2zracergear.com
I am quite surprised to read the comments of Tony Adamowicz. Racing isn’t only a problem of prize monies or a search for pro-racing… Where is the interest to use a racing car at 80% of your capacities..? That’s probably the difference between “exhibition” in USA and real racing in Europe.
The photos are dramatic and thus misleading. The action was as a result of a stuck throttle and an amazing bit of driving by Ken Smith #4 to avoid contact with Mark Dwyer #64 who showed an equally amazing awareness to give Mr Smith extra room.
It is true……… there is racing going on down under but generally (not always) with great respect between high quality drivers and the cars are absolutely no different to the period machinery. Max HP still in the 500 to 540 HP range. Many of the F5000 pilots at the NZFMR have over 50 F5000 race starts, all be it in short races of up to 20 minutes.
The only thing that that is utterly overdone is the passion for the cars and the formula.
Come down and have a look.
Fascinating to see this exchange between people who know what they’re talking about.
Historic Racing is a puzzle. I’ve often wondered whether it was sensible to go racing in machines that used to kill between 2 and 3 people every year. Isn’t that tempting fate ? I hear Hervé Regout’s argument loud and clear, particularly as it probably isn’t much safer to push a racing car to 80% than it is to push it to 100%. At the same time, I would hate to see events in this form of racing disappear or be “sanitized” because of a poor safety record.
Amazingly, although there have been spectacular accidents and a (thankfully) few injuries, there hasn’t been a fatality as far as I can remember. Do these drivers keep just enough margin to avoid this ultimate sanction or have safety measures at circuits inproved so dramatically that it’s become hard to get hurt even in an old car ?
In short: Does something need to be done or is everything fine as it is ?
I don’t think Ken Smith ( 68 years old ) will be looking for a professional ride in the future.
Steve
New Zealand
when the flag dropps on the start of a formula 5000 race depending on the direction of travel the earths rotation is interfeard with! it was a form of magic when in my twenties we would go to oran pk for the 5000s it was still magic at eastern ck last year , let the magic go on for ever.
I too am a little surprised at Tony Adomowicz remarks but I also took a little time to briefly read his website. The man does indeed walk the talk.
However for all that some of his remarks are a little wide of the mark.
As David Abbott states – himself I believe an owner driver of a Lola T430 – the cars are absolutely no different to when they first raced. I can still remember some of the exact same cars racing in the 60-70’s and many in the same liveries. The Ansett Elfin’s in particular.
The drivers are hardly young guns looking for professional drives many are in fact are owner/drivers and um middle aged. However the racing is as it should be competitive and aggressive – that is how we do it in kiwi land be it sailing, my other passion, or motoracing.
Tony reckons many of the drivers have lost the perspective and purpose of vintage racing but that is only his particular view. Would he prefer a gin at eleven, races at three and tallyho jolly good show chaps (and chappesses) atmosphere.
The F5000’s are simply the best and most exciting racing cars in the world and have rekindled my interest in motor racing. An interest lost with the demise of the F5000’s in the 70’s and my disgust at calling a McLaren F1 car a Texaco Marlboro!!
But to finish a challenge to Tony extended in the best spirit.
In 2009 you were re-united with your championship winning Gurney Eagle 5000 and drove it to victory at Watkins Glen and another championship.
The challenge is to bring the Eagle and have a crack at the Tasman F5000’s.
We would love to see you.
I think wazza’s comment is spot on. The reason vintage racing exists is to revive the memory of the great race cars and personalities of the past.
Is it racing though? From what I’ve seen having attended several F5000 Revival events since 2008; yes, the racing is very real indeed. When guys like Tony A2Z, Steve Davis, Jim Stengel, and Rick Parsons get onto a track, they indeed are out to race.
Are they holding back any? Sure, I bet each and everyone of the guys in the North American F5000 Revival Series is holding back a little, having taken into account that if one of these cars is shunted, there may be no way to recover the car for future use depending on the extent of the damage. Also, I know many of the North American F5000 drivers personally and can say that they are all true racers with the highest regard for human life.
Regout Hervé’s comment which eludes to the North American series being nothing more than a dog and pony show is perhaps a bit too far to one side of the topic. The races I’ve seen are not choreographed, the results are real, just as the cars and the participants. And perhaps the most important thing to consider is that the costs are very real too, because unlike 1969 where a race win paid $20,000, 2011 will get you only a trophy and a pat on the back.
I think in the end that we as enthusiasts should hold a higher consideration for what is going on in front of us. Sam Posey once told me that vintage racing is great because no one’s holding a gun to anyone’s head to be involved. You’re in vintage racing because you want to be. That’s important, because it takes a lot of money, no matter if you’re in NZ, Aus, GB, or the USA to operate one of these cars and as a 34 year old F5000 fan that wasn’t even around in 1975, I’m damn thankful these guys are doing what they do a few weekends out of the year. I’m also glad that the loss of life and car is much lower in today’s Revival series events than it was 40 years ago.
I also want to add that I hear on good word that Jay is doing OK.
Looking forward to the Glen in June. See you there!
Mr Silk sam posey was right in as much as we are there becuase we want to be , from a tender age i had a fasciation for wheels & speed , i had the fastest scooter down the hill in front our house then not the fastest billy cart but it actually turned the corner at the bottom of our hill ( dont know how)as much as the scars testify to my youthfull endevoiurs my need for speed only became more compounded. My first car lasted 3 1/2 hours then i inverted it thus awakening me to perhaps increaseing my skills! father would take us to the speedway, i liked cct racing after watching the A.B.C. motorsport telecasts , live bathurst from about 65 on thats testing the memory! so to cut a long story short i have had the pleasure of competing in on or at many of the ccts on the east coast of aus from the early seventies driving cars that are now historic like the drivers out of all the catagorys that emerged flourished or floundered i settled into sports cars on the change in 1970 from production to what would be called group d , this change allowed for wider wheels & flared guards, the most cost effective car of the time was a datsun 2000 sports , i suppose what i am getting to is those of us that have a go do so knowing deep down of the risks envolved driving old cars that have or have not got any historic significance i know myself that what ever i have been driving has nothing left to give on the track & most of my fellow competitors apply themselves in the same way racing is racing or there is regularity thats my perspective tony
wazza