AUS Utes: Series Bathurst Thursday report

Jane Hospitalised after V8 Utes Bathurst Practice Crash

Bob Jane T-Mart Racing's, Kim "The Assassin" Jane was taken to Bathurst hospital after he understeered into the wall on practice session two for Round 6 of the 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series -protected by Armor All at Mount Panorama, Thursday, 7th October.

The accident caused extensive damage to the driver's side of the car and it took the safety team a while to dig him out of the sand-trap at turn nine. Jane was taken to Bathurst Hospital for X-rays as he was complaining of sore ribs.

"I haven't felt this sort of pain for a while. It's been a while since I've had an incident like that. It's disappointing that it happened on the first day at Bathurst," said Jane.

Jane's team manager, David Maidment said they are trying to get the car in shape for Qualifying.

"We'll have the car ready but we won't know if Kim can drive till the morning," said the Fastrack Racing Team manager.

Only seconds after Jane went into the wall, newcomer Rohan Barry joined Jane in the sand-trap.

"I went to turn but I hit the oil and spun clean into the kitty litter. The car should be ok, I think all we have is a rock stuck in the clutch," explained Denco driver, Barry.

Roylances Racing's Ryal Harris managed to avoid any mayhem and was the fastest in practice today. He drove well to hold out the likes of Ice Break Racings, Chris Pither in second and Jesus Racing's Andrew Fisher in third.

South Aussie Gary Baxter who has said on a number of occasions that he struggles to get his head around the Mount Panorama track did well to claim fourth fastest ahead of Series front-runner Grant Johnson in fifth.

Thirsty Camel Racing's, Craig Dontas is finally feeling confident in the Holden after a move from Ford this year and drove home in sixth fastest ahead of reigning champion Jack Elsegood in seventh.

Although Jane didn't get much of a run in session two he still managed eighth fasted from his first session ahead of defending Bathurst winner, Gary MacDonald who also struggled to put times on the board in session two after he had to retire early as the steering rack was lose.

Local, Nulon Oil driver, David Sieders rounded out the top ten heading into tomorrow's qualifying session.

Veteran touring car legend, Charlie O'Brien did well to come in 16th on his return to the Mount Panorama track since, 2005. O'Brien topped the time-sheets just ahead of Pedigree Racing's Adam Bressington who has also made a come-back from a five year absence.

The V8 Utes will hit the track at 9am tomorrow, (Friday, 8th October) for Qualifying there one and only session for the day and won't be back on track until 9:25am Saturday, 9th October for Race 1 followed by Race 2, which will be televised LIVE on Network Seven at 3pm. Race 3 will also be televised LIVE but not just nationally, globally as well to over 39 different countries at 7:25am Sunday, 10th October.

Make-A-Wish& Australia 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 v8 utes