AUS Utes: Series Hidden Valley race 2 report

Brisbane Driver walks away from spectacular V8 Ute Roll Over

Brisbane V8 Ute driver Peter Burnitt rolled his CNW Electrics Ford in spectacular style during Race 3 of the V8 Utes at Darwin's Hidden Valley today. Burnitt was taken to the medical centre for observation following the incident however was given the all clear.

The incident happened during the opening laps of the 12 lap final after Burnitt made a dive down the inside of iseek driver Jason Gomersall into Turn 1. The Utes touched and Burnitt's Ford rode over the wheels of the Gomersall ute then completed a 360 degree barrel roll.

"The belts kept me so firmly in place; I hadn't even realized I went over until the dust settled. It was reasonably gentle and I was disappointed after having such a great run in the second race. However, we will be back next round ready to race at Townsville."

Perth's Grant Johnson claimed a sweet victory to clean-up Round 3 and keep the Series lead of the 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by Armor All.

Johnson drove his Regal Transport Group Holden away from the field early in the race and never looked back, winning by over 3 seconds.

"I'm wrapped with the win. Two out of three isn't bad and I'm looking forward to Townsville to get a third," said Johnson.

Coopers Clear Racing's Jack Elsegood was second across the line in Race 3 and after a consistent weekend claimed third overall for the round with Melbourne's Kim Jane taking second for the round after finishing just behind Elsegood in the final Race.

Jane assassinated the field in the Bob Jane T Marts Holden in Race 2 moving up 14 spots to take the win in one of his best drives this year.

"Race 2 wasn't what we were planning. The first and second laps were pretty wild and a lot was handed to us. The last 4 or 5 cars were hard to get around and MacDonald's car on the last lap was a dream! It's great to pull off a podium finish and get a win under our belts. We haven't had the best year so far so it's good to be back on track," said Jane.

Ice Break Racing's Chris Pither and Gary MacDonald claimed fourth and fifth for the round after both secured top 10 results for Race 2 and 3. Pither, the reigning NZ V8 Ute champ, had a good battle with Jesus Racing's Andrew Fisher in Race 3. Fisher had a steady Round and secured sixth position.

Scott "Slamboy" Jennings impressed local partners NT Shipping and after celebrating his 100th race start yesterday claimed the Champion Spark Plugs Hole Shot Award and $500 cash for the best race start in Race 3. He also finished seventh overall in the round, with a third in Race 2 (one of his personal bests) and fifth in Race 3.

Wilson Securities driver, Charlie "Handlebars" Kovacs had a good weekend finishing eighth for the Round after a fierce battle for seventh in Race 2 and eighth in Race 3. Kovacs was followed closely all weekend by GBF Underground Mining's Paul Williams, who posted one of his best ever performances obtaining a ninth for the Round.

Although he missed out on top ten finishes in both Race 2 (11th), and Race 3 (12th), Storage King's Ben Dunn rounded out the top ten for the Round.

Wicked Energy Drinks Brad Patton was a good chance to take Race 2 after starting from Pole, following the reverse grid ballot draw which gave the Brisbane driver a front row start.

Patton was slow away then had a coming together with Nandi Kiss and Rhys McNally at Turn 1 which turned Kiss around and ended his race. Officials deemed it a racing incident after the three all tried to get through Turn 1 side by side.

McNally was also involved in an on track skirmish with veteran Nascar champ George Elliot in Race 3, the two traded blows for a number of laps before McNally ended up in the dirt.

SEW Eurodrive's Noel Edge did well to finish inside the Top 20 for the weekend in one of his strongest drives this season.

Gary Baxter won the SS Inductions Hard Charger Award and $500 cash after starting from the rear of the grid in Race 2 passing 17 utes. Baxter started from the back of the grid after breaking a steering rack in Race 1.

Johnson has now extended his series lead by 27 points over team mate Jack Elsegood with Andrew Fisher still in the top 3 in the Jesus for Life/Gloria Jeans Ford. Kim Jane was the big points mover in the Championship, now up to 6th overall.

The Yokohama V8 Ute Series – protected by Armor All now moves to Townsville for Round 4, 9 – 11 July.

To catch the action from Round 3 all over again tune into Network Seven, Saturday, 3rd July at 1:30pm.

-source: aus utes