AUS Utes: Series Sydney preview

Four Drivers up for V8 Utes Championship at the Sydney Grand Finale

The 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series - protected by Armor All is down to the wire with the winner set to pick-up a V8 Supercar test drive through Paul Morris Motorsport, and the decider will come down to last minute points at the Grand Finale, Sydney Telstra 500, 3 - 5 December.

Four drivers are still in contention for the Series title including; Grant Johnson (852 points) and local drivers, Jack Elsegood (766 points), Andrew Fisher (734 points) and David Sieders (730). Only 122 points separate the top four with 149 points up for grabs over the weekend.

Johnson, who has just picked up a last minute partnership deal with international resource recruitment giant Brunel Energy, would have to be dealt a really bad hand not to win the title, but stranger things have happened in the past.

In 2007, Coopers Clear Racing's Elsegood was leading the Series heading into the final round and had the title in the bag until he had issues with the car in the final race, giving Johnson the title. Elsegood was able to redeem himself in 2009 claiming the title after the Sydney Street Race.

Johnson's not about to let that happen again

"We've had a great car all year and I'm feeling confident we'll have a good run in Sydney. We came second there last year and I love the track. I'm not worried about Jack, I'm just going to focus on my own racing and see where we end up at the end of the weekend.

"Now that Brunel Energy is on board it has taken a lot of pressure off and we can now just concentrate on going racing," said Johnson.

Jesus Racing's Andrew Fisher has had a consistent year and he will be aiming for a podium finish, however will have teammate Nulon Oil backed David Sieders hot on his tail with only four points between them in the standings. Fisher has an advantage over Sieders, claiming a podium spot in Sydney in 2009 and will do what he can to keep consistent for the weekend.

"It's very tight at the moment we could come second or fourth. We are obviously looking to beat both Jack and David. We've had a good run in the past, last year we were the second fastest ford and came third for the weekend. We had a shakedown today and I'm really looking forward to it.

"It's also my wife's birthday on the Saturday so I have pressure from everywhere," he said with a laugh.

Sieders already has a title under his belt claiming the V8 Superschool Rookie of the Year, as his points tally cannot be matched by rivals Rockstar Energy Drinks Jeremy Gray and NRW Holding's Rhys McNally.

Marty Miller will return to the field for Homebush, driving James Brock's Holden with backing from Sydney Complete Soda Blasting. Miller drove at Sydney in 2009 and will be looking to do well in front of a home crowd.

Motorsport larrikin, Randy Corners, will join the V8 Ute field for the first time in Scott Jennings' Samboy Racing Ute.

Sydneysider George Elliot will make an appearance this year after missing out on the Round in 2009 due to back surgery.

Craig Dontas will be celebrating his 100th Race and V8 Ute Veteran Charlie "Handlebars" Kovacs will be the first driver to start 250 races. Both drivers will hit their targets in Race 1, Dontas in his Thirsty Cameldore and Kovacs in his Wilson Securities backed Holden.

The V8 Utes will hit the track for practice 1 on Friday, 3 December at 9:55am followed by practice 2 at 3:10pm.

Race 1 and Race 2 will be televised as live as on Network Seven; Race 1, Saturday, 4 December at 12:30pm and Sunday, 5 December also at 12:30pm.

-source: aus v8 utes