HYDE IS QUICKEST MSC F5000 TASMAN CUP REVIVAL SERIES QUALIFIER AT HAMPTON DOWNS

Christchurch's Chris Hyde (McRae GM1) topped the MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series time sheets today on the first day of activity at the inaugural New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing - Bruce McLaren meeting at the new Hampton Downs circuit south of Auckland.

Series champion in 2007/08, Hyde lapped the 2.8 km circuit in a time of 1.02.945 to claim pole position for the first race of the weekend tomorrow morning (Saturday) from defending series champion Ken Smith (Lola T430) and the first of the nine-strong contingent of visiting British drivers, Mark Dwyer (Lola T332).

Fourth quickest after the two ten minute sessions - the 33-strong MSC F5000 series field split to give everyone a better chance to set a representative time - was 2009/10 MSC series points leader, Dunedin's Steve Ross (McRae GM1), fifth Napier's Sefton Gibb (Lola T332) and sixth, this year's Lady Wigram Trophy race winner, Auckland's Roger Williams (Lola T332).

With early season pace-setter, Feilding's Tim Rush, swapping his usual Begg FM4 for a McLaren M22 this weekend, the fastest of the Class A (for earlier model F5000 cars) competitors was Auckland driver Kerry McIntosh (Begg FM2) in 24th place.

This weekend's New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing - Bruce McLaren meeting is the first of two (the second is at Pukekohe's Pukekohe Park Raceway over the January 30-31 weekend) with both attracting bumper entries across all categories including the MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series.

The MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series category is one of 10 on the programme this weekend and next with a special feature at both meetings the focus on the McLaren marque with lunchtime parades on Saturday and Sunday at each meeting.

Racing starts at 9.00am each day at each meeting with the MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series runners getting four races, two over eight laps each on Saturday, a third eight lapper on Sunday morning and a 15 lap feature on Sunday afternoon.

The MSC F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series is organised and run with the support of sponsors MSC, NZ Express Transport, Bonney's Specialized Bulk Transport, Pacifica, Toll Holdings, Smith & Davies, Avon Tyres and Exide.

Fastest Qualifier Chris Hyde - Fast Company/Alex Mitchell