Racing with an assortment of classic F1, Indy and Invited cars, New Zealander Codie Banks in a Lola T332 HU 16 was fastest in qualifying and won the four races contested to secure the overall title in very hot conditions.
There were ten Kiwi F5000 teams that made the journey to the largest historic motorsport event in the Southern Hemisphere for the fourth and final round.
Banks took out the first race, well ahead of Queensland Vincent Holland (Ralt RT21) with Bank’s dad David (Talon MR1) third. Fourth place went to Kiwi Tony Galbraith (T332) ahead of Victorian David Hardman (Hardman JH-1). Best of the Australian F5000 was 13th placed Bryan Sala (Matich A50/51).
Codie Banks won the second outing in a safety car interrupted event. Holland was second ahead of Victorian Todd Willing (March 722), Galbraith, NZ’s Bruce Kett (T332), Sala and Hardman.
Only 24 of the 35 finished the afternoon race where Banks was first from Galbraith, South Australia’s Simon Gardiner (Maurer MM83), Hardman and West Aussie Dan Gate (RT4).
Sunday morning’s Race 4 was abandoned when the red flags were out for a multi-car incident after Lukey Heights on the first lap.
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From the start of the Race 5, it was Banks senior the leader until Banks junior passed him on Lap 2. The Talon stopped midway with overheating which allowed Darcy Russell (T330) to try and upset the Kiwi whitewash but missed out by 1.7s.
The Classic had over 400 cars on track. Josh Axford won all five Under 2.0 litre Historic Touring Car races in his Ford Escort RS1600, each time over the similar car piloted by David Noakes.
Chev Camaro drivers Paul Stubber and Aldo De Paoli were the winners in Over 2.0 litre HTC with Jamie Tilley, his father Brad, and Craig Allan chasing them in Ford Mustangs.
In Heritage Touring Cars, Jonathon Webb and George Miedecke in Ford Sierra Cosworths, and Steve Richards (Nissan Skyline GTS R31) headed Group A while the Group C honours went to Brian Henderson (Nissan Bluebird).
Nick McBride (Swift) won the five Formula Ford encounters which included the Larry Perkins Cup and the International Challenge. Terry Lawlor (Shelby GT350) was unbeaten in Group S where Brett Smith (Datsun 28Z) was second in each.
Other categories across the three days included Group Q & R Sports, Groups J, K Lb & Invited, Formula Vee, Groups M & O, Formula Junior and 5.0 litre Touring Car Sprints and Regularity.
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