Utes: SeriesAdelaide race one report

Baxter Blitzes Adelaide in flag to flag V8 Ute win

Sage Automation's, Gary "Chuckie" Baxter proved his experience on his local track to win the first race in the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series -- powered by DODO at the Clipsal 500.

Starting from pole position and it didn't take him too long to tear away from the crowd to claim the victory in a time of 13.22. 98, six seconds in front of his rivals.

"It was my aim all along to get out in front. I have the quickest reaction time out there and knew that I could do 1:38's every lap. This is my home track and I have raced here since the 80's so know it really well."

"I was lucky to get through at the beginning Wimmer and Miedecke had a bit of a bundle and it made room for me to break away," said Baxter.

Queenslander Kurt Wimmer was forced to retire from the race after the incident and George "Slick" Miedecke moved into a battle with Jack "The Hustler" Elsegood and Grant "Grunta" Johnson for second place.

Johnson was looking comfortable in second until he slid wide in lap 4 on the chicane giving Ryal "The Kid" Harris a chance to overtake him and claim second place.

With the top three spots all but secured, Craig "The Growler" Dontas was looking for fourth place and was very close to chasing down the battle between Coopers Pale Ale Racing's Jack Elsegood and George Miedecke who finished in fourth and fifth respectively.

Jesus all about life Racing's Andrew Fisher (who has been battling with back problems after yesterday's session), toughed it out with Kim Jane for eighth spot and managed to take Jane on one of the final corners in lap 7.

V8 Ute stalwarts Nandi "Mr Damage" Kiss, local Charlie "Handlebars" Kovacs, Steve "Spanna" Hodges and Captain Robert Jarvis did well to finish the first race 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th respectively. Jarvis faced the stewards after the race following an incident with Ben Kavich.

United Oils, Scott "Slippery" Jennings was out after the first lap when he hit the tyre wall at Turn 1 giving the car plenty of air and forcing him out for the race, while reigning champ Layton Crambrook had a diff failure and was forced out.

"I am feeling fine. It was a real shame as I really wanted to drive on but there was too much damage to the front of the car after hitting the tyres," said Jennings.

In post race hearings, Ryal Harris was given a time penalty for passing Jack Elsegood under the yellow flags and Jason Gomersall excluded from race due to a technical brake pad infringement.

As Race Two is a reverse grid of the top 16 from race 1, Greg Willis and Colin Dunn will start on the front row. Race Two will be televised live on the Seven from 1pm Saturday.

-credit: v8utes.com.au