David Sieders claimed the Armor All Pole Award for the third year in a row at Round 1 of the 2012 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series - protected by Armor All at the Clipsal 500 today (Thursday, 1 March).
Sieders drove his Australian Industrial Supplies backed Ford FG to claim the title and $1000 cash after a total of three laps running, following electrical gremlins in practice. The Sydneysider didn't post a top ten for the first three laps, pulling out the winning time in a tough effort to take his third Pole at the Clipsal 500.
"We couldn't have done it any tougher, building a brand new car. The boys and myself have lived on 2 - 3 hours sleep the last few weeks trying to get it here, including last night! I'm ready to pass out, this is awesome," said an elated Sieders.Coopers Clear Racing's Jack Elsegood came in second, also in a new Ford FG, posting an early time and pipping Ryal Harris in his Ford BF by less than one thousandth of a second.
Reigning champion Chris Pither was the first Holden over the line in the Ice Break VE, ahead of Monster Energy backed Nathan Pretty in fifth.
Rookie Kris Walton impressed placing sixth fastest in the Rentco Ford, ahead of Jesus Racing's Andrew Fisher in seventh and West Aussie Rhys McNally in eighth.
Auto One Wildcard driver and former V8 Ute Champion Warren Luff was quickly back on the pace, rounding out the top ten just behind Bundaberg Racing's Cameron McConville, who was unlucky after posting the second fastest time in the start of the session only to hit a tyre bundle on turn 1, bending the steering arm and moving the lower arm and tyre rod.
McConville went into the session full of confidence after topping the time sheets in the combined practice session.
"We were really happy with our practice result, and was hoping to repeat it in Qualifying, I'm a bit disappointed, but will just work hard to get the Bundaberg Ute to the front tomorrow," said McConville.
In combined practice times, just over two thousands of a second separated the top three with McConville in his Holden VE in the lead, Elsegood in his Ford FG in second and Harris in his Ford BF in third.
19 year old Josh Burdon had his first drive in a V8 Ute today and claimed 17th overall ahead of fellow Rookie Troy Dontas, who had both an unlucky stint in practice and Qualifying.
Adelaide's Charlie Kovacs Jnr was penalised along with Jeremy Gray when their cars came in underweight on the scales, both were excluded from qualifying and will start from the rear of the Grid for Race 1.
The V8 Utes are back on track tomorrow for their one and only session at 5:25pm followed by Race 2 on Saturday, 3 March, which will be televised LIVE as on Network Seven at 1:30pm (AEDST), along with Race 3 televised LIVE as on Sunday, 4 March at 1pm (AEDST).
