Historic F5000 - Tasman Revival GP

[Joe Racer]

I went out to watch the Pukekohe round of the 2008 Tasman Revival Grand Prix to check out some very old skool Formula 5000 cars. Simply put, these cars were amazing and the drivers were far from mucking about. The fastest car lapped within a second of the outright lap record, faster than what the Australian V8 Supercars go around the circuit. These cars are laden with history and have a growing (or should that be re-growing?) following with the motorsport public. They sound fantastic too, like rolling thunder.

The field on the way to the rolling start : part 1

The field on the way to the rolling start : part 2

The field on the way to the rolling start : part 3

Opening lap action as the cars negotiate the hairpin for the first time.

Roger Williams’ Lola T332 powers out of the hairpin, chased hard by Chris Hyde’s McRae GM1.

Lola T332’s are a popular in this class.

David Abbott in the Lola T430, not Lewis Hamilton. Originally raced in 1977 by Alan Hamilton in the Australian Gold Star series.

Russell Greer in his Lola T332. I wonder how historic cars in their original paint schemes skirt around the anti-tobacco laws?

Chris Hyde covers the lead he just took from Roger Williams.

John Bryant’s wingless Lola T140 had problems with the nose cone in every race!

Noel Atley’s Kiwi made 1974 Begg 018.

Chris Hyde’s cruises into the pitlane after winning the 2008 Tasman Grand Prix.

Kenny Smith in the Lola T430 originally campaigned by Teddy Pilette and VDS in 1976.

Frank Lyons in the 1975 Lola T400.

Kerry Anderson's Lola T140T

Lola T140

Judith Lyons Eagle FA74

Lola T400

Tony Richard’s Lola T332

Lola T332 - How's that for a simplified cockpit?

 

[Danny]

Some brilliant pics there.

Thanks for sharing. 👍

The only thing that's bothering me:

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Nice shots. My father raced out there in '71, I think.

 

[Joe Racer]

The only thing that's bothering me:

Umm, yeah. Didn't notice that when I took the photo, just when reviewing them. And since I don't alter my picture, it shall remain.

Nice shots. My father raced out there in '71, I think.

Not Malcolm Guthrie by any chance?

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Not Malcolm Guthrie by any chance?

One and the same. Do you know him?

 

[TheCracker]

Great pictures, looks like a fun event 👍

Frank Lyons in the 1975 Lola T400.

Frank Lyons races occasionally against us in the HSCC HRSR series in another Lotus Cortina. His wife and young son, who is the youngest driver to ever compete in a F1 car, also compete in Frank's collection of F5000 and F1 cars.

Nice shots. My father raced out there in '71, I think.

And raced upto F2 standard in the late 60's too i believe?

 

[TheBigMan045]

These cars are awsome, much better than those toy cars better known as Toyota Racing Series cars, they sound magnificent as only V8s can and although they are historic racing cars they really go hard in them

 

[Joe Racer]

One and the same. Do you know him?

I know of him, only from seeing the name in the race results of the time, and you mentioning I was able to put two and two together. Does he get invites to Williams re-unions?

 

[Joe Racer]

Frank Lyons races occasionally against us in the HSCC HRSR series in another Lotus Cortina. His wife and young son, who is the youngest driver to ever compete in a F1 car, also compete in Frank's collection of F5000 and F1 cars.

It looked like it was just mum and dad racing at this meeting. Apparently, he has quite a collection of awesome historics.

 

[Pupik]

Nice pics, Joe. Long time, no see.

Do you remember/know what that red, odd-looking open-wheeler at the top-right is?

 

[Joe Racer]

Nice pics, Joe. Long time, no see.

Do you remember/know what that red, odd-looking open-wheeler at the top-right is?

Hey Pupik, yeah, it has been a while. Still doing the F1 quiz?

The little red thing is an Australian built Elfin Formula Junior car.

Here is another shot of it...

The Formula Junior class was decidedly huge, 40 or so classic cars.

There were some fun looking machinary that looked as if it had been knocked up in the backyard.

And some beautiful classics, such as Peter Anstiss' 1961/2 Lotus 20/22.

 

[TheCracker]

There were some fun looking machinary that looked as if it had been knocked up in the backyard.

You're almost exactly right

 

[Danny]

How on earth could you ID that from a bare chassis?

 

[TheCracker]

How on earth could you ID that from a bare chassis?

The big 'LOLA' badge in the middle of the steering wheel was a dead give away

 

[GilesGuthrie]

I know of him, only from seeing the name in the race results of the time, and you mentioning I was able to put two and two together. Does he get invites to Williams re-unions?

Fair enough. He was quite surprised when I unearthed some of the results from the old days. He's still quite friendly with Frank Williams, and has been to Grove many times. He's resepectful of the fact that Frank is very busy, so they don't hang around very much.

Great pictures, looks like a fun event 👍

And raced upto F2 standard in the late 60's too i believe?

Yes, mainly in Europe. There was some sportscar racing as well, including a crack at Le Mans in a GT40 in '69 (I think!). Curiously, he's quite reticent about it, and doesn't really talk much about those times.

 

[TheCracker]

Yes, mainly in Europe. There was some sportscar racing as well, including a crack at Le Mans in a GT40 in '69 (I think!). Curiously, he's quite reticent about it, and doesn't really talk much about those times.

With you having a high standard of motorsport 'blood' in your veins, did/do you not fancy a shot at it yourself Giles?

 

[Danny]

The big 'LOLA' badge in the middle of the steering wheel was a dead give away

Well I couldn't make any words out of that. I assumed it was just some markings.

¬_¬


You should have just pretended it was some minor detail you picked up on and analysed, and I'd have remained impressed.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

With you having a high standard of motorsport 'blood' in your veins, did/do you not fancy a shot at it yourself Giles?

You haven't seen me drive!!

I would have loved a crack at rallying, but I knew early on how expensive it was. I'm quite happy with my perspective on motorsport being from my armchair or - time allowing - behind a camera.

 

[Pupik]

Those "lesser formulae" cars remind me why some drivers chose to jump out before crashing!