NZ
Festival of Motor Racing, celebrating Bruce McLaren
29-31
January 2010 - Pukekohe Raceway
In
qualifying for the Formula Junior races Australians did well by occupying
3 of the top 6 places with Peter Struass (Brabham BT6) off 4th, Don
Thallon (5th, BMC) and
Bill Hemming (6th Elfin Catalina).
The
Thallon team did very well to make the grid after completing a 7 hour
gearbox repair after Friday’s qualifying session when a washer
broke leaving the BMC FJ stuck in 2nd gear. The race resulted in Kim
Shearn (Lotus 18, Victoria) claiming his desired result of passing
Hemming at turn 1.
The
Formula Ford action was fierce with three fighting for the lead before
Ben Field (EldenFF) spun at turn two whilst dicing with Grant Campbell
(Swift - & no relation to the VHRR Grant). Campbell then caught
race leader Tony Graham (Reynard) and in a great last lap lunge under
brakes at the final corner lead Graham across the finish line by 0.167
seconds to take a well earnt race win.
The
action continued in the Tasman Cars race where two Australian’s
came to grief when the Jane Brabham BT23 of Lance Carnwardne of Western
Australia had an excursion at the end of the back straight, which
Peter Addison (Brabham BT23C, NSW) was the innocent victim as the
Jane-Brabham came back on to the straight and T-boned the Addison
car causing extensive damage to the rear left suspension  (see
photo).
The
Formula 5000 action resulted in a UK entrant hitting the wall on the
back straight resulting in the race been declared under safety car
with Ken Smith (Lola T430) taking the win. Smith’s dominance
of the category in race two at 3 o’clock continued where he
immediately pulled away from the competition in the first lap and
managed to lap half the field on his way to victory. Aaron Lewis (NSW)
took over the steering wheel of his Matich A50 from brother Phillip
(who drove the car at Hampton Downs) and managed to qualify 6th, and
finished 6th.
Shortly
after this race the bright sunny day quickly turned as a deep weather
front came through from the east and dampened the afternoon’s
racing.
Formula
5000 photos courtesy of FAST COMPANY - www.fastcompany.co.nz
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