Utes: Series Townsville Saturday notes

Miedecke Monsters the field with slick V8 Ute win in Townsville

In what was an epic day on track for the V8 Utes, Jack "The Hustler" Elsegood took out the Armor All Pole Award after qualifying fastest and pipping George "Slick" Miedecke's time in the last 30 seconds of the session. However, Miedecke fought back to claim Race 1 in Round 5 of the 2009 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by Armor All at the Townsville 400 today (Saturday, 11th July).

Miedecke managed to hold off Gary Baxter and Elsegood going three wide down the straight. Baxter tried to take Elsegood on the first turn however both ran wide and Miedecke saw his opportunity and took it.

"This is my first time winning from Race 1. I have won off reverse grid before but it's such a great feeling to do it, especially coming off such a good qualifying," said Miedecke.

After a hit from behind, Warren Millet ran off the track and broke his power steering rack; only a lap later, Wollongong's Gary Carson went into the back of Noel Edge, which forced him into the pit lane wall watching the race from the sideline.

Queensland Ford driver, Justin Van Twest then had brake failure coming into Turn 12 and went straight into the tyre wall at about 150km/h. Van twest was buried in the tyres, which took some manoeuvring from the track cleanup team to get him out, he was unharmed but due to the extent of damage to his car he will have to sit out for the rest of the weekend.

"I am a little sore but feeling ok. I am just disappointed as I'm not having the best year. I know I will have trouble sleeping tonight as I'll keep visualising that wall."

"The team had put some good preparation into the car so it's a shame that this happened but we will work hard to get it ready for Sandown," said Van Twest.

Following the re-start after the safety car, Miedecke held his spot with Layton Crambrook hot on his tale but had enough to keep the defending champion at bay.

Grant Johnson, Baxter and Elsegood were in their own battle for third for the first two laps but the Western Australian (Johnson), pulled away and claimed third.

Baxter kept the current series leader at bay taking fourth and after the fastest time in qualifying Elsegood was forced to settle for fifth.

Kim Jane started Race 1 from fifth and did well to place sixth in the Race in front of 2008 Rookie of the Year Glenn McNally.

Global Trading Schools, Ryal Harris is back in the game placing 8th in front of old teammate Kurt Wimmer.

Ford driver, Brad Patton is having one of his finest rounds posting his best ever qualifying result, seventh and held his ground to come in tenth for Race 1.

In the battle for the Racer Industries Rookie of the Year, Carson was leading going into Race 1 by 3 points but due to his mishap Williams has forged through and is now leading the point score after placing 5 spots ahead of Carson in qualifying and 16th in Race 1.

"The Rookie title is now my main focus in the Series. I am just going to put my head down and hope it all goes well," said Williams.

Race 2 will commence at 12:25pm Sunday and will be a top 16 reverse grid race. This will be followed by Race 3 at 3:40pm.

To catch all the highlights from Townsville 400 tune into Network Seven Saturday, 25th July at 1:30pm EST.

-credit: utes