AUS Utes: Series Tonwsville Saturday report

Johnson out "Hustles" Elsegood for Townsville V8 Ute Win

It was a fierce battle on the streets of Townsville today (Saturday, 10th July) with Ford driver Jack "The Hustler" Elsegood taking out the Armor All Pole Award and Holden driver Grant Johnson claiming Race 1 of Round 4 of the 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series - protected by Armor All.

The Hi-Tech Motorsport teammates started on the front row with Elsegood taking the lead from the start. After many pressure cooker laps West Aussie Johnson pulled an over-under move on lap 5 and overtook the Coopers Clear Racing driver, holding the lead for one turn until Elsegood pulled the same move to reclaim the top spot.

"He had a stronger racecar, I was driving defensive for most of the Race and at the end I didn't have enough to get him back," said a disappointed Elsegood.

Former NRL star Elsegood held onto the lead until lap 9 when the Regal Transport Group / Holiday Inn Townsville backed driver Johnson made a bold outside passing move and held it until the chequered flags dropped.

"It's the most exciting and fun race I've had in a long time," grinned Grant, "Jack's definitely one of my main rivals, maybe even more so because he is my teammate, I know how the team works and they will always give him a good car."

Johnson has good reason to be wary.

"We have a neutral respect for each other. The last thing we want is Barrel Pachos (Hi Tech Motorsport MD) on our case. We were fortunate to get a good start and give each other enough room," he continued.

After speeding away with the top two drivers in the early minutes, Bob Jane T-Marts driver, Kim Jane faded back several car lengths and had an easy drive for third after Elsegood and Johnson had their own battle at the front.

CAMCO Racing's Ryal Harris and Wilson Racing's Charlie Kovacs had a tussle of their own for fourth, however it wasn't all roses for Kovacs who dropped back and was forced to retire after coming together with Harris on Turn 2 in lap 9.

Queenslander Harris was penalised for the incident and was given a time penalty and an additional grid penalty for Race 2 and will start from 13th position tomorrow.

David "Sideways" Sieders is back in good form and did well to hold Ice Break Racing's Chris Pither (Ice-Break Ice Coffee VEHolden) at bay to claim fifth in the 11lap race.

Queenslander Brad Patton posted one of his best results this year and drove well in the WICKED / Chill XR8 Falcon to hold off the Jesus Racing / Gloria Jean's Coffee Falcon of Andrew Fisher who finished in 8th position.

Rockstar Energy drinks sponsored driver and Rookie, Jeremy Gray posted one of his best results this year with a ninth place finish ahead of Thirsty Camels' Craig Dontas who rounded out the Top Ten.

Race 1 winner Grant Johnson drew number 12 out of the random ballot to determine the amount of reverse grid positions for Race 2 tomorrow.

The result puts Workhorse Collision Repairs driver Ben Kavich on Pole alongside Rookie NRW Holdings Rhys McNally (who coincidentally celebrates his 20th Birthday the same day).

SAGE Racings, Gary Baxter did well to move through the field from 22nd position to 10th.

A few drivers suffered DNF's: Ben Dunn broke his diff early in the race and Charlie O'Brien had brake issues, which saw them, retire early in separate incidents.

"Slamboy" Scott Jennings had an unfortunate end to his race after making contact with debutant, Graham "The Mole" Edwards – the result seeing the Samboy Chips Holden wind up in the wall.

The V8 Utes will be back on track tomorrow, Sunday, 11th July with Race 2 (top 12 reversed grid) at 9:10am and Race 3 at 3:30pm.

-source: aus v8 utes