F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Rnd 5 Preview

* 2010/11 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series
Rnd 5 Preview
Evolution Motorsport Classic Speedfest meeting
Teretonga Park
Invercargill
Sat-Sun
Feb 19-20
2011

19-02-11

DAY 1 REPORT

ESTERER BACK IN FRONT ON MSC F5000 SERIES RETURN

Visiting Canadian driver Jay Esterer (McRae GM1) again proved the man to beat on the first day of competition at the fifth round of the 2010/11 MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series at Invercargill's Teretonga Park today.

Esterer won the opening MSC F5000 race at the fourth round of the 2010/11 series at the big Skope Classic meeting at Christchurch's Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna Park a fortnight but it was at the expense of his car's engine, and he took no further part in the meeting.

Fortunately, using an engine loaned him by fellow MSC F5000 series McRae GM1 racers Aaron and Peter Burson, the quick Canadian had his car back to its best for this weekend's Evolution Motorsport Classic Speedfest at Teretonga, claiming pole position in the qualifying session this morning then leading the weekend's first MSC F5000 series race this afternoon from start to finish.

Second, after joining Esterer on the front row of the grid after qualifying, was defending series champion Ken Smith (Lola T430) with last year's series runner-up Steve Ross (McRae GM1) third and Tony Richards (Lola T332) fourth.

Series young gun Andrew Higgins (Lola T400) impressed with the third quickest lap time in qualifying but in the race it was Tony Richards who slotted into third place behind Esterer and Smith at the start with Steve Ross initially fourth, then third after making a move on Richards a lap later.

As they had in qualifying the top seven cars were a cut above the rest in the race, Esterer maintaining a slight advantage over Smith with Ross, Richards, Higgins, Peter Dunn (March 73A) and Ian Clements (Lola T332) line astern behind.

Next, UK visitors Michael Whatley (Surtees TS8) and Greg Thornton (Surtees TS15) disputed eighth position with Whatley holding onto it until the final lap when Thornton won a drag race to the finish line, crossing it just 0.021 of a second in front.

Whatley was by far the quickest of the Class 2 (for older model cars) contenders, however, the next, Aucklander Kerry McIntosh driving the locally-made Begg FM2, finishing 16th.

Today's 8 lap race was the first of three for the MSC NZ F5000 cars on the Evolution Motorsport Classic Speedfest programme this weekend with a second 8 lapper on Sunday morning and a 12 lap feature in the afternoon.

The battle for 2010/11 MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series 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.

Ends
2011 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series Rnd 5 Evolution Motorsport Classic Speedfest meeting Teretonga Park Invercargill Sat-Sun Feb 19-20 2011

Qualifying
1. Jay Esterer (McRae GM1) 54.00
2. Ken Smith (Lola T430) 54.304
3. Andrew Higgins (Lola T430) 55.123
4. Tony Richards (Lola T332) 55.218
5. Steve Ross (McRae GM1) 55.357
6. Peter Dunn (March 73A) 55.434
7. Stuart Lush (McRae GM1) 56.699
8. Ian Clements (Lola T332) 57.341
9. Hamish Paterson (Chevron B34) 58.508
10. Greg Thornton (Chevron B24) 58.666
11. Stan Redmond (Lola T332) 58.667
12. Michael Whatley (Surtess TS8) 59.667
13. Mark Dwyer (Lola T400) 1.00.087
14. Brett Willis (Lola T330) 1.00.244
15. Russell Greer (Lola T332) 1.00.381
16. Peter Sundberg (Lola T332) 1.00.730
17. Ken McIntosh (Begg FM2) 1.04.471

Race 1
1. Jay Esterer 7.29.737
2. Ken Smith +0.858
3. Steve Ross +4.757
4. Tony Richards +12.183
5. Andrew Higgins +12.519
6. Peter Dunn +12/994
7. Ian Clements +16.154
8. Greg Thornton +24.327
9. Michael Whatley +24.348
10. Hamish Paterson +31.511
11. Brett Willis +32.161
12. Russell Greer +38.793
13. Peter Sundberg +43.382
14. Stan Redmond +44.089
15. Phil Mauger +51.192
16. Kerry McIntosh +1 lap
dnf Mark Dwyer
dns Stuart Lush
Fastest lap: Jay Esterer (McRae GM1) 5.340

Calendar
Rnd 1: Oct 30/31 2010 Christchurch Casino Wigram revival meeting Powerbuilt Tools Raceway @ Ruapuna Park Christchurch
Rnd 2: Jan 21-23 2011 NZ Festival of Motor Racing - Chris Amon meeting x 1 Hampton Downs Auckland
Rnd 3: Jan 28-30 2011 NZ Festival of Motor Racing - Chris Amon meeting x 2 Hampton Downs Auckland
Rnd 4: Feb 05/06 2011 Skope Classic meeting Powerbuilt Tools Raceway @ Ruapuna Park Christchurch
Rnd 5: Feb 19-20 2011 Evolution Motorsport Classic Speedfest meeting, Teretonga Park Invercargill
Rnd 6 (Final) March 25-27 2011 Qantas Australian Grand Prix March Albert Park Melbourne, Australia

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