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AUS Utes: Series Phillip Island qualifying report

V8 Ute teammates top the times sheets at the Island Current Series leader, Grant "Grunta" Johnson and Coopers Clear Racing's Jack Elsegood came first and second in Qualifying at Round 5 of the 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series -- protected by ...

V8 Ute teammates top the times sheets at the Island

Current Series leader, Grant "Grunta" Johnson and Coopers Clear Racing's Jack Elsegood came first and second in Qualifying at Round 5 of the 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series -- protected by Armor All at the L&H 500 Phillip Island today.

The Hi-Tech motorsport teammates both set the fastest times on lap four and team-manager John Pachos couldn't be happier.

"The guys are doing a great job. The whole team is doing well. After an 8 week break if the guys aren't getting their eyes back in to it I'll give them a push so they are on the ball," said Pachos.

Johnson's pole also won him the Armor All Pole Award and $1000 cash with a fastest time of 1:51.47, and prompted him to throw out a challenge to the other drivers in the field.

"My qualifying place all year has been second," he said.

"To keep things interesting we need someone else to step-up between me and Jack."

Nulon Oil driver, David Sieders came in third, his best qualifying result since Clipsal where he took out the Armor All Pole Award on debut.

Ice Break Racing's Gary MacDonald showed his Phillip Island experience and posted the fourth fastest time. MacDonald has raced at Phillip Island twice before (2002/03) in a V8 Ute and both times he held the lap record.

Just behind MacDonald in fifth place is Andrew Fisher in his Jesus Racing's Ford BF. Current New Zealand V8 Ute champion Chris Pither did his usual top ten qualifying result to come home in sixth place, just ahead of Rockstar Energy Drink driver Jeremy Gray, and Queenslander Kurt Wimmer who is making his 2010 debut.

Veteran racing driver Charlie O'Brien posted his best result to date in his rookie year in the V8 Utes qualifying ninth overall. O'Brien is sporting a new livery on his tailgate this weekend in memory of Rodney Howell, former chairman of the Tasmanian Automotive Chamber of Commerce who recently passed away.

SAGE Racing's Gary Baxter is back in fine form after a disappointing Round 4 and closed out the top ten.

Eagle Pro/Bisley driver Nandi Kiss had a great run and placed 11th overall.

Queenslander Ryal Harris had a bad run in Qualifying having to retire after the third lap due to a leaking CV joint but still managed a 14th fastest time.

Wilson Securities Charlie Kovacs was penalised for passing under a red flag resulting in his fastest time being excluded and dropping the moustachioed master to 16th.

Local driver, Kim Jane had one of his worst qualifying results to date. He pitted after 2 laps due to a steering problem the team had been chasing all day.

"We've changed most of the front end of the car and found a stripped bolt in the lower control arm so hopefully we'll be ok for the rest of the round."

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."

A final grid sheet is yet to be determined due to judicial hearings still taking place.

-source: aus v8 utes

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