The Formula 5000 Grand Prix

The Formula 5000 Grand Prix

“ Hello Chad Neylon here, welcome to the first annual Castrol edge Formula 5000 Grand Prix. Today we are holding it on the streets of Auckland's CBD. Alright here we go for the hot lap driven by Ken Smith in the number 4 Lola T430.”

“ Hi guys here we start off going down Queen street and turn right into Customs street. After turn left into Britomart Place and left again into Quay Street. After the straight turn left again into Lower Hobson Street and drive up Hobson Street. Turn right into Sturdee Street. Left onto Nelson Street.  Left into Victoria street and then right into Hobson street and drive up past the sky tower then left onto Cook Street and left again onto Mayoral Drive. Go up there and turn right onto Wellesley Street and finally left back onto Queen Street and as you go past Victoria Street you have completed one lap at this awesome track.”

“Thank you Ken. Alright now let's get the cars onto the track. Starting in first and second we have the Team McRae with two McRae GM1s.

In Positions 3-13 We have Team Lola with 2 Lola T430s, 7 Lola T332s, 1 T400. In Position 14 we have Team McLaren which has one McLaren M22 and finally starting 15 is Team Eagle with a Gurney Eagle Fa 74 . All the cars are lined up on the start line. 3, 2, 1, GO!! And they’re off. A nice start for Ken Smith as he gets past the 2 McRae GM1s. Here they go into turn 1. Coming up into turn 2 they are three wide. Down the short straight and into the Britomart Quay street corner. Into the Hobson street and into Sturdee. Just keep powering guys. Now Into Victoria St towards the sky tower. Back onto Hobson Street past the Sky Tower and into turn 9. Turn 10 down mayoral drive through 11 and across the line to complete lap 1 of 58.”

Lap 34

“ Ken Smith leading in his Lola T430. He may be aged but he can still race. Into 10 for Smith. And across the line onto lap 35, now into 1 and he is slowing down a lot why is that? Oh it looks like Lyons has gone into the wall. Let’s see why. On the replay it looks like Abbott and Lyons were battling down Queen Straight and Abbott on the inside locked the brakes sending Lyons into the wall. That is not good for the Gurney Eagle driver who was in 1st coming into this round.”

Lap 57 Restart

“ He we go for the restart he in the streets of Auckland as Ken Smith leads into 1. Nice jump out of 2 against Sefton Gibb in the Lola T332.”

Lap 58 Corner 8

“It is Smith v Gibb as they fly past the Sky Tower here on the streets of Auckland. Into Turn 9 Its Smith with the lead into 10 and 11. Drag race down the front straight. Oh No, Gibb has a blown Tyre and is slowing. Ken Smith the 74 year old has won the Formula 5000 Grand Prix for 2016. What an achievement.”

On the Podium

“Congratulations Ken on winning the first Formula 5000 Grand Prix on your 74th birthday. August the 11th is your birthday right.”

“ Yeah this is the best birthday ever. Best gift I could’ve wanted.”

“ Alright people big round of applause for your Formula 5000 Grand Prix Podium.”

Podium Placings

1st: Ken Smith-Lola T430

2nd: Sefton Gibb-Lola T332

3rd: David Abbott-Lola T430