in Turn 8 High Speed V8 Ute CrashGlobal Trading Schools, Ryal “The Kid” Harris won Race Two of the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series – Powered by DODO at the Clipsal 500 this morning, although it was Adelaide’s infamous Turn 8 high speed sweeper that changed the face of the race.
Vietnam veteran Colin Dunn in the Storage King Falcon and Grove Fruit Juices Greg “Freddy” Willis started on the front row and from flag fall, Willis did well to hold position through the first 2 laps however young gun Harris managed to catch him from his 7th position on the grid.
Lap two saw Captain Robert Jarvis turn Brad Patton around who was moving up from his 27th start and ended up passing 10 cars to finish in 17th position following engine failure in yesterday’s race and a rear grid start today.
Reigning Champion Layton Crambrook was another in trouble after running into the back of Justin Van Twest, which caused Crambrooks bonnet to fly open and damaged the front of his car. It’s a tough start to the series for the former sprint car and V8 Supercar driver following diff failure in the Mother Ute during race one yesterday.
Crambrook was sent to the medical centre but was soon cleared with no injury incurred.
2007 V8 Ute champ Grant “Grunta” Johnson wasn’t as lucky after he slammed the wall in turn eight at over 180 kph pushing the concrete barrier back 1metre.
Johnson clipped the Armco fencing on entry to the corner, which speared the Holden into the outside wall at full speed. Johnson, bruised and shaken was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital immediately following the race.
Johnsons Team Manager John Pachos said he is ok and they are just keeping him for observation.
“The car isn’t so good; it’s a total right off. He has a few chest pains but his X-rays were all clear, he has just had a cat scan to be safe,” said Pachos.
Johnson’s incident put the race into safety car mode while the safety barrier was moved back into place; however the Grove Fruit Juice Holden has been withdrawn from the meeting.
After the re-start Harris and Kim “The Assassin” Jane pushed hard for the final 2 laps with Jane almost taking the lead on the final corner of the final lap however the Queenslander managed to hold on and take the win.
“I felt great and it was a good win. I am just trying to get a good result for Global Trading schools and my team,” said Harris.
Colin Dunn showed his experience to take third although he was lucky not to be pipped at the finish by Glenn McNally.
“Freddy Wilis jumped me at the start and after the green flag the two in front of me just got away.”
“I could see Glenn on my tale at the end but just kept on driving,” he said.
Dunn’s top three finish was a career highlight and proved that the veteran is still quick, even though this weekend is a one off drive in the FORD normally driven by his son Ben.
Stephen Robinson finished a solid 5th, from Adelaide’s Charlie Kovacs and Race 1 winner Gary Baxter, with George Miedecke, Jack Elsegood and Andrew Fisher rounding out the top 10.
Sydney panel beater Nandi Kiss made a late race move on Charlie Kovacs, however locked up and broke the front steering, forcing him out.
Gary Baxter, Ryal Harris and Kim Jane will set up a Holden trifecta at the front of the grid for tomorrow’s Race 3 final, with Jack Elsegood the first of the Fords starting from position four.
Race Three commences at 11:20am tomorrow and will be televised on the Seven Network at 1pm EST.
The Top Ten from Race One are as Follows:
Car # / Driver / Team / Time58 Ryal Harris Global Trading Schools 1:39.8027 Kim Jane Bob Jane T-Marts/Trading Post 1:39.9299 Colin Dunn Storage King/Wilson Fabrics 1:41.90 12 Glenn McNally West Coast Racing/NRW Holdings 1:41.18 2 Stephen Robinson Tusker Beer/Air Vanuatu 1:41.04 69 Charlie Kovacs Red Racing/Red Express Deliveries 1:41.233 Gary Baxter Sage Automation/NHP Electric 1:41.42 7 George Miedecke Country Energy/Lubrimaxx 1:39.7011 Jack Elsegood Coopers Pale Ale 1:40.339 Andrew Fisher Jesus All About Life 1:40.15
