Hey Dominates F5000 Racing, Roberts Wins Handicap Thriller at Manfeild

Sunday’s two races at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon produced contrasting outcomes and plenty of spectacle as the opening round of the 2025/26 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series wrapped up in style.

The traditional Sunday morning handicap race served up one of the tightest finishes of the weekend as Tony Roberts and Toby Annabell reignited their familiar McLaren M10 rivalry. Starting near the front of the staggered grid, the pair settled quickly into a rhythm while the faster machinery began its charge from behind.

With two laps remaining, the tempo lifted sharply. Kevin Ingram (Lola T332), Anna Collins (Lola T332) and Saturday winner Michael Hey (McRae GM1) all began to close on the leaders. The final laps featured three distinct battles: the McLaren fight for the win, the Collins–Hey jostle in the mid-pack, and Ingram making up time from his handicap starting position.

Ultimately the victory belonged to the A-category cars. Roberts positioned his McLaren M10A to fend off Annabell’s M10B by just 0.38 seconds.

The weekend’s final race — scheduled for 10 laps — became a five-lap sprint after Kevin Ingram’s Turn 1 accident brought out the red flag.

Starting from pole, Hey was beaten off the line by Steve Ross (McRae GM1) and Ingram, emerging third as the field swept through Turn 1. What followed was one of the most entertaining opening laps of the weekend: Ingram pressuring Ross at ‘Splash’ and again at the hairpin, with Ross responding on the straights.

On lap two, Ross ran wide at the hairpin, forcing Ingram to hesitate (and make contact) — an opening Hey pounced on, slicing past both cars to hit the front. Ingram struck back with a bold move at the Higgins sweeper, reclaiming second and defending it along the back straight.
Moments later the complexion of the race changed dramatically. Ingram locked a brake and speared into the Turn 1 gravel, coming to rest in the tyre wall. With recovery required, the race was red-flagged and declared at five laps, giving Hey and Ross another McRae 1–2, with Grant Martin’s Talon MR1 completing the podium.

“A huge thanks to Mark and Andy — there’s been a lot of off-season work to get the car where it is today,” Hey said after securing a second 20-point win. “I’m very happy with the result.”

Ross acknowledged the pace and pressure at the front: “The tail end was a wee bit loose and I lost it a couple of times — paid the price. We were trying to win but these young fellas are getting pretty good, and they’re getting better.”

Fourth went to Glenn Richards (Lola T332), with Anna Collins fifth in the ex-Graeme Lawrence Lola T332 HU28 — the car still running Lawrence’s original steering wheel and rev counter.

“Three finishes — the car home in one piece. Just a few small touches now and we’ll be up with the pack,” said Collins. “With the history it carries, it’s an amazing feeling to be in the car and just go for it.”

In the A-category contest, Annabell led home Roberts on Sunday afternoon, reversing their morning finishing order.

“The last three races I’ve made the mistake of not getting into the corner first,” Annabell said. “With our horsepower being so similar, it’s very hard to pass unless someone makes a mistake.”

“First into the corner wins the game as far as Tony and I are concerned.”

Among those following the weekend closely was Australian F5000 great Warwick Brown, who raced against Lawrence in the sister Lola T332 HU27: “Would you believe that I last ran there (at Manfeild) in December 1974 – over half a century ago now, at a pre–Tasman Series meeting with all my Kiwi mates including one Graeme Lawrence.”

Brown noted his best qualifying time and that set by Michael Hey: “01:03:56 represents a really quick time.”

The F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series now heads south to the SKOPE Classic at Euromarque Motorsport Park, Christchurch (6–8 February 2026) — the country’s premier historic motorsport event and the season’s only South Island appearance.

The 2025/26 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series proudly enters its 23rd season, supported by SAS Autoparts, MSC, NZ Express Transport, Bonney’s Specialised Bulk Transport, Mobil Lubricants, Nova Tyres, Webdesign, Exide Batteries and Pacifica Shipping.
For event updates, entry lists and photos, visit www.f5000.co.nz and follow F5000 New Zealand on Facebook.