Utes: Series Bathurst Sunday notes

Crambrook Excluded from V8 Ute Bathurst Round

Championship Contender Layton "Leadfoot" Crambrook who was only leading the Series yesterday, was excluded from Round 7 of the 2009 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series -- protected by Armor All for a technical infringement on the rear springs of his Ford Ute at Mount Panorama, Bathurst, Sunday, 11th October.

Crambrook had just claimed second in the Round for his efforts on the track however he had to hand back the trophy, and all the points following post race inspections.

This unfazed Gary "Macca" MacDonald who won the Round giving Holden its first Bathurst Ute round win since 2003 when Peter Brock and son James took out the first legends race.

This was the Sydneysiders first time in a Ute all year after he stepped into the car for Yanis Derums.

"I didn't expect that when I came here. The Team is just wrapped. I have to thank Yanis for letting me have the drive and Wayne Williams and the crew did such a great job on the car," said MacDonald.

With Miedecke and Johnson on the front row in wet conditions -- the race was shaping up to be a classic with Johnson getting an early break, however the Grove Fruit Juice driver was the first to go when he under-steered over the curb and went sideways spinning the Ute on the slippery curb and hitting the wall at Turn 1. This caused the front suspension to break and ended his day on the mountain.

Kim Jane was then handed the lead at the start of lap 2 when Country Energy driver, George Miedecke who was leading slipped off at Hell Corner. Kim held onto the lead until he also got caught up in the wet conditions when his brakes locked up heading into Murrays Corner. Jane made a chase for the finish line but had to contend with second for the Race and for the Round.

Miedecke was pushed up into third position for the Round and was very pleased with the end result.

"I'm very excited. I'm still disappointed at myself that I didn't win it but it's still great news," said Miedecke.

Miedecke was on full charge to make back his ground to win the race and instead landed in a battle for fourth with Thirsty Camels, Craig Dontas and CAMCO Racings Ryal Harris.

The battle ended with Dontas in 4th, Harris in 5th and Miedecke in 6th.

Jesus All About Life Racings, Andrew Fisher had to contend with 7th. Glenn McNally, Gary Baxter and Jack Elsegood rounded out the top ten.

24 of the 29 drivers who started the Race did well to cross the finish line in such wet and slippery conditions the other 5 weren't so lucky.

Justin Van Twest had a power steering failure in the in lap three at turn 19, which ended his race.

Kurt Wimmer was having issues with his vision "I couldn't see three feet in front of me so thought the safest thing to do was to pull in and had to DNF," he said.

Charlie Kovacs was unlucky when he received a tap from Brad Patton on the third lap, which pushed him into the wall and forced him out of the Race. Patton was given an equivalent of a drive through penalty for the incident the same penalty that Kovacs received for an incident in Race 2.

Rookie Jason Gomersall also went into the gravel at the final turn on Lap 3.

Warren Millet took out the Armor All Best Presented Award for his Wake Up Racing Ute.

Narellen Pools, Brad Patton won the CI Performance Hole Shot award and $500 cash for the best race start in Race 2.

Western Australian, Grant Johnson claimed the SS Inductions Hard Charger Award and $500 cash for passing 10 Utes in Race 2.

To catch the action all over again tune into Network Seven, Saturday, 17th October at 1:30pm (ESDT).

Please note: Points will follow due to post judicial hearings.

-credit: utes