AUS Utes: Series news 2010-07-23

Front-runners tested in V8 Utes

Hi Tech motorsport teammates and current 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series leaders Grant Johnson and Jack Elsegood recently had the differentials (diff) on their respective race-cars checked under the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) Scrutineering process and have been given the all clear.

Johnson (2007) and Elsegood (2009) are both former champions and the West Aussie Johnson is currently leading the Series 21 points narrowly ahead of Elsegood in second. The Hi Tech teammates have been fighting it out all year with Elsegood claiming Round 4 and Johnson Round 2 and 3.

Coopers Clear Racing's Elsegoods' diff was checked on track at the Sucrogen Townsville 400 along with third placed series runner Andrew Fisher (Jesus Racing) and were given the all clear. Johnson's Commodore had to be taken off track as the Holden's are harder to inspect (this is the first time this has been done).

The diff housing was split and inspected in the presence of V8 Ute Category Technical Director Alan Pitt and CAMS Technical Commissioner John Torr who was pleased with what he saw.

"We wanted to do a thorough inspection of the differential and we also checked the ratio and it was all deemed okay," said Torr

Hi-Tech Motorsports owner and manager John "Barrel" Pachos expected the outcome. "You have to understand, I've got the best two drivers in the series in my stable. Remember they finished 1-2 in last year's championship," he said.

"We have an excellent base setup, and both the driver's and the crew are doing a great job at the track and in the workshop. Everything has just come together."

"We're hoping to have a test day before Phillip Island and fine tune the setup on both the Ford and Holden. It's really important for us to keep out in front. We're the ones with the target on our backs."

Category Manager, SPHERIX partner, Bill West endorses the idea to check on the whole competitor group rather than just the front runners..

"SPHERIX, as category managers drives this agenda hard and is proactive in ensuring fair play," said West.

"The systems are set by CAMS and we just ensure that what they have to do is easily facilitated. V8 Ute Racing continues to work closely with CAMS on all technical and judicial matters. The closeness of the Ford and Holden racing and the results of the past years and so far this year are a testament to this."

Tune into network Seven 12:30pm this Saturday (24th July), to catch all of the action of Round 4 of the 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by Armor All.

-source: aus v8 utes