AUS Utes: Series Bathurst qualifying report

Ford and Holden Share Bathurst V8 Ute Front Row

Perth driver and series leader Grant Johnson will start on Pole tomorrow after setting the fastest Qualifying time of 2:33.93 for Round 6 of the 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series - protected by Armor All at Bathurst, Friday, 8th October.

Johnson set the time early in the session to claim the Armor All Pole Award and $1000 cash taking his fourth pole for the year.

"We haven't done anything other than new tyres and more fuel to the car since Darwin so, if it's not broke don't fix it. I'm very happy to have Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour on the car this weekend and come away with a front row start it's pretty much what we dreamed.

"Over the last two years I've won the first race at Bathurst and it's gone pear shaped after that so I've never finished all three races here, which is my main goal for this weekend," said Johnson. Jesus Racing's Andrew Fisher was the only driver that looked like he would pip the West Aussie but he only held pole for three seconds before Johnson took it back.

Fisher held second for most of the session until his teammate, David Sieders popped the second fastest time with eight minutes of the session to go to start on the front row alongside Johnson. Sieders was only 1/10th slower than Johnsons Holden.

"It's my first time on the front row since Clipsal. If I'd had a few more laps in practice I reckon the Nulon Ford would have been on Pole, however we lost most of the first session, and only 2 laps in the red flagged second session, so considering the track time I have had we are very happy."

"I'm pretty comfortable with my braking points now. It's just about putting laps together. I have the speed but I think Grant will think the same, we all think our utes can go faster so hopefully I'll beat him to the chequered flag," explained Sieders.

Joining Fisher on the second row is Coopers Clear Racing's Jack Elsegood who finished fourth fastest for the session ahead of Ice Break Racing's Chris Pither in fifth.

Queenslander's Ryal Harris and Brad Patton drove well to claim sixth and seventh respectively in the session. SAGE Automation's Gary Baxter turned in one of his best qualifying results for the year claiming eighth. Also posting one of his all time best results is Go Channel 88 Gary Carson in ninth.

Defending round winner Gary MacDonald managed to round out the top ten.

Bob Jane T-Mart driver Kim Jane made it back on the track after his trip to the hospital yesterday following a high speed crash at Reid Park. After some x-rays it was deemed that nothing was broken so Jane and the #27 Holden VE were on track for almost the whole 20 minute session but had to contend with a disappointing 17th.

The V8 Utes will hit the track at 9:25am tomorrow morning for Race 1 followed by Race 2 in the afternoon, which will be televised LIVE on Network Seven at 3pm.

Race 3 will be televised LIVE not only nationally but also internationally to over 39 countries at 7:25am Sunday, 10th October.

Make-A-Wish Australia is the official charity of Australian V8 Ute Racing who will endeavour is the official charity of Australian V8 Ute Racing who will endeavour to assist the foundation with their mission, which is to "To grant the Wishes of Children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope strength and joy."

-source: aus utes