No Kidding around as Harris sets V8 Ute Pole time in Tasmania

Ryal "The Kid" Harris claimed the Armor All Pole Award and $1000 cash today (Friday, 30th March) at Round 2 of the 2012 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series - protected by Armor All at the Tasmanian Challenge, Symmons Plains.

Harris posted his time early in the session driving the Rexcel Ford, breaking the Qualifying record in a time of 1:02.91.

"I didn't know I broke the record, that's good. The new Fords are really good. Where looking for a good result, I'm not going to be out tussling with anyone we're just out to get point's points, points and just start thinking about that last round at Homebush," said Harris.

David Sieders (Tradequip Ford) was second early in the session, but was pipped by Nathan Pretty a few laps later in the Monster Energy Holden. Pretty posted a time only four hundredths of a second slower than Harris, also under the record.

Sieders (who had issues in practice 1) fell back to fourth in the session after teammate Andrew Fisher put in the third fastest time, only one hundredth of a second faster. The in -form Jesus for Life driver posted the quickest time in the combined practice sessions earlier in the day.

Fifth fastest in Qualifying was Bundaberg Racing's Cameron McConville, who was three 10ths of a second behind Harris, and was followed over the line by Series leader Kris Walton in the Rentco Ford. McConville damaged a wheel early in the session, and didn't get the opportunity to post a faster time.

Stratco Racing's Rhys McNally was seventh fastest, followed by Ryan Hansford.  Veteran Kim Jane in the Bob Jane T-Marts Holden took out ninth fastest ahead of Craig Dontas in the Thirsty Camel Holden.

Newcomer Daniel Kennedy posted a great result in 11th overall. The New South Welshman is steering former V8 Ute Champion Jack Elsegood's Ford FG this round. This is only the second Round Elsegood has missed since he started in 2002; however he expects to be back in for the rest of the season. Kennedy hopes he can do as well as his mentor.

"I'm feeling pretty good, just getting use to the car the way it drives and brakes, it's different to where I've come from. I go out and get quicker and quicker every time; so as it comes to me I push a little bit harder. It's great to have Jack around. I'm pretty fortunate to have him as a mentor, he's been telling me all the little tricks to know and it's been going a long way in my mind," said Kennedy.

Iseek Racing's backed Jason Gomersall achieved one of his best results, placing ninth fastest in the combined practice, and 15th overall in Qualifying. Gomersall is debuting his Ford FG at this round and is really excited about it.

"I think this car agrees with my style of driving more. I'm really enjoying it, I was a little disappointed with our qualifying result, I was hoping to do as well as Practice but looking forward to the race tomorrow," said Gomersall.

Young-gun Jesse Dixon also put in a great effort in his first V8 Ute appearance. The Chris Pither - powered by Ice Break Scholarship benefactor claimed 16th fastest ahead of three time Commodore Cup champion and local Adam Beechy in 17th. Local drivers Joshua Burdon, Sam Walter and Greg Crick finished back in the field. After some gearbox issues in practice Burdon finished 23rd overall, ahead of Walter in 24th and Auto One Wildcard driver Crick in 26th.

Red Ass Mexican Foods driver Ben Dunn will celebrate his 100th Race start tomorrow, when he hits the track for Race 1 at 11:30am. Dunn debuted at Symmons Plains back in 2007 and will be looking to improve on his 19th placed result today.

The drivers will then hit the track for Race 2 at 2:35pm, which will be replayed on Network Seven at 3:45pm (AEDST).

The rest of the weekends schedule is as follows: Sunday, 1st April     Race 3        11amSunday, 1st April     Race 4     2:05pm

See below top ten results from combined practice.

 1   9 Jesus Racing  Andrew Fisher   Ford FG  1:03.09  2   58 Big Gun Racing      Ryal Harris   Ford FG  1:03.12   3   56 Monster Energy Nathan Pretty  Holden SS  1:03.16  4   4 68 Rentco Racing  1   Kris Walton   Ford FG 1:03.22  5   5 61 Bundaberg Racing   Cameron McConville   Holden SS   1:03.37   6  26 STRATCO Racing  Rhys McNally   Holden SS   1:03.49   7  22 Thirsty Camel Racing  Craig Dontas  Holden SS   1:03.52  8  8 Sieders Racing Team   David Sieders   Ford FG  1:03.63  9  37 iseek Racing/ Nesco   Jason Gomersall   FordFG   1:03.77  10   6 Truckline Racing   Ryan Hansford   FordFG   1:03.83  .

See below results from Qualifying

 1  58 Big Gun Racing    Ryal Harris   FordFG  1:02.9142R   2  56 Monster Energy    Nathan Pretty  Holden SS  1:02.9613r  3  9 Jesus Racing   Andrew Fisher   Ford FG 1:02.97  4  8 Sieders Racing Team S David Sieders Ford FG 1:02.98  5  61 Bundaberg Racing   Cameron McConville  Holden SS   1:03.24  6  68 Rentco Racing  Kris Walton  Ford FG  1:03.25   7  26 STRATCO Racing (WA)    Rhys McNally   Holden SS 1:03.65  8  6 Truckline Racing  Ryan Hansford   Ford FG  1:03.66  9    9 27 Bob Jane T-Marts   Kim Jane   Holden SS  1:03.67   10  22 Thirsty Camel Racing  Craig Dontas   Holden SS  1:03.68 


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