For two tumultuous laps series points leader Steve Ross led quickest qualifier Michael Lyons, but that didn't stop Lyons grabbing another victory in the first MSC F5000 Tasman Cup revival series race in Christchurch today.
The youngster Lyons only went on the claim the win after a determined Ross came unstuck on oil dropped by another car as he braked for the infield right hander.
Initially, Ross took the spin on the chin, blaming 'the nut behind the wheel', but when he and Lyons swapped notes the truth emerged.
"I was definitely putting him under a lot of pressure, and we had both been getting a bit ragged," Lyons said. "But as we accelerated out of the hairpin there was a trail of oil and when Steve stood on the brakes [his car] just went left. I was right up underneath him when he started going left so I had to ease out of the brake myself but at least I was able to stay on the track."
With Ross out of the picture Lyons won as he liked, despite slowing over the last couple of laps as his car's engine went off song.
