F500 Weekend recap from George Begg Festival last weekend.
Saturday –
Dunedin’s Steve Ross (McRae GM1 009) dominated Saturday’s action at the final round of the MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series, claiming victory in both races at Teretonga Park as part of the nostalgic George Begg Festival.
Having set the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying session for the four-race weekend, Ross drove clear of the chasing pack—seemingly finding an edge in the blustery Southland winds.
Feilding’s Kevin Ingram (Lola T332 HU48R) secured second in the morning’s 10-lap race, maintaining his grid position from qualifying and further extending his lead in the overall series standings.
Blenheim’s Michael Hey (McRae GM1 004) came through for an impressive third after being forced to start from the back of the grid following an early departure from qualifying.
The Begg FM5/2, driven by Blake Knowles—standing in for Steven Richards—set the third-fastest qualifying time. The Formula Ford champion made a strong start but was forced to retire when the rear wing began to work loose.
Grant Martin (Talon MR1 #3) finished fourth, with Tony Galbraith (Lola T332 HU38) close behind. Galbraith’s consistent results continue to solidify his hold on second in the Open category standings.
Driving the sole Class A entry, Tony Roberts brought his McLaren M10A home in eighth. The result was enough to push him ahead of Frank Karl (McLaren M10B) to take the lead in the overall Class A points battle.
In similar gusty conditions, the afternoon’s second 10-lap race was another McRae showcase, with Hey finishing second behind Ross while Ingram took third.
Galbraith, Martin, and Knowles provided the most exciting battle of the race, crossing the finish line separated by just over one second.
A brief off-track moment for Glenn Richards dropped him down the order to finish seventh, while David Banks (Talon MR1) was forced to retire after eight laps due to a broken exhaust.
Adding to the celebration of Southland motorsport history, the second Begg car (chassis 018)—owned by Invercargill’s Scott O’Donnell—is taking part in demonstration runs only, with former A1GP driver Jonny Reid at the wheel.
Sunday’s two remaining 10-lap races were expected to be run in more settled conditions, with lighter winds and mild autumn temperatures, which promised a perfect setting for the season’s grand finale.
Sunday –
Dunedin’s Steve Ross completed a clean sweep at the George Begg Festival this weekend at Invercargill’s Teretonga Park, winning all four races to close out the 2024/25 MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series in dominant fashion.
But the weekend belonged just as much to Feilding’s Kevin Ingram, who clinched the Open Class title, and Napier’s Tony Roberts, who secured the Class A honours, bringing the curtain down on a six-round season that spanned both islands.
Set against the backdrop of the George Begg Festival, with its colourful paddock of period costumes and heritage race cars, the event paid fitting tribute to George Begg’s legacy—a man who proved that with ingenuity and spirit, a shed in Southland could take on the world.
The nostalgic setting added a rich atmosphere as these 5-litre V8 icons thundered once more around New Zealand’s southernmost FIA-graded circuit.
For Ingram, the title win was the reward for a season of consistency and commitment. Driving the Lola T332 HU48R, he finished every race—no small feat for a 50-year-old car originally built for the Can-Am series.
“I’m quite rapt,” said a jubilant Ingram.
“My wife Helen was a bit nervous before the first race this morning, knowing I had to finish to secure the title. I’m very grateful to have such a supportive wife—without her, I wouldn’t be doing this.”
He also acknowledged the team behind the scenes: “I’ve got to thank the friends who’ve backed me through the season, especially Ross Dallas—Rossco—who’ve been so helpful with the engine. And my daughter and son, who never saw me race when they were younger, now get to be part of it.”
Ingram secured second overall in Sunday morning’s race, but several off-track excursions in the afternoon dropped him to sixth. He later hinted at offseason upgrades for the Lola as thoughts turned to next season.
Driving the high-wing 1969 McLaren M10A (chassis 300-9), Tony Roberts wrapped up the Class A title, sealing the deal with consistent performances and capitalising on the absence of closest rival Frank Karl in the final round.
The battle between the two had been closely fought all season, and Roberts closed it out in style, collecting maximum points on Sunday.
After Saturday’s blustery winds, Sunday delivered calm, late-summer conditions as expected. A strong spectator turnout enjoyed the sunshine and soundtrack of roaring F5000s.
The morning race was restarted due to a technical issue on lap one. Once underway, Steve Ross—driving the McRae GM1 Quicksilver Racing car—pulled clear again, while Blake Knowles impressed in the Begg FM5/2, challenging Ingram for second.
Knowles’ pace continues to grow as he becomes more comfortable in the Lindsay O’Donnell-owned machine, which is itself a tribute to the engineering brilliance of Begg’s original creations.
Tony Galbraith’s fourth place secured his runner-up position in the Open Class standings, while a persistent electrical fault sidelined Michael Hey (McRae GM1).
The season’s final race saw Ross go four-for-four, fending off a determined Knowles, who finished just 0.891 seconds behind.
The battle for third was equally intense, with Tony Galbraith and Glenn Richards locked in a fierce duel in their Lola T332s, while Grant Martin brought his historic Talon MR1—a car once raced by Chris Amon, Walter Wolf and Jack McCormick—home in fifth.
The season concluded with a special presentation: Kevin Ingram was awarded the Open Class trophy by Jacque Blake (née Begg), daughter of the late George Begg.
The moment was a poignant reminder of Begg’s impact on New Zealand motorsport and how his legacy lives on through the cars and competitors gathered at Teretonga this weekend.
Supporting the series in its 22nd season are SAS Autoparts, MSC, NZ Express Transport, Bonney’s Specialised Bulk Transport, Mobil Lubricants, Nova Tyres, Webdesign, Exide Batteries and Pacifica Shipping – who sea freight the cars for the New Zealand events. Their commitment ensures that this classic racing series remains a highlight of New Zealand’s motorsport calendar.
Its competitors are now planning a trip to Australia before the start of the 2025-26 season.
Header Image: Dave Louden
