Volvo Racing Enduro driver Chris Pither made a stunning return to the V8 Ute paddock in Darwin today, by claiming an easy win in Race 1, Round 3 of the East Coast Bullbars Australian V8 Ute Racing Series.
The 2011 V8 Ute Champ started on the front row alongside Matt Stone Racing teammate George Miedecke however it was series leader Ryal Harris that led the field away for the first few laps.
Miedecke fired off at Turn 1, after Hansford and Pither made contact, David Sieders, Nathan Pretty and Craig Dontas were all involved in the first corner carve up. Kim Jane was the big winner in the Bob Jane T Marts Holden, running as high as 3rd after starting 11th on the grid, before being taken by Kris Walton, Adam Marjoram and Rhys McNally.
All Purpose Pest Control racer Pither, pressured Harris all the way, taking the dual Champ under brakes into Turn 5, and then paced himself to the flag.
Jesus Racing’s Andrew Fisher had an early pit stop to replace a broken wheel, after the Turn 1 melee, and Leigh Nicolaou also pitted early due to a leaking fuel cap.
Gold Coaster Cam Wilson went off at Turn 4, while running in the Top 10 and Dontas also had late race drama’s in the Just Cars Insurance Holden, with engine failure in the last few laps.
“It’s great to be back in the V8 Ute’s, it’s a fantastic category and this is the first time I’ve been a back in a Ford Ute for a while. Surprising, they push a little more than the Holden I drove last time, however the drive off the corner is much better. It’s nice to get one in the bag for the weekend, so full credit to Matt Stone ad Michael O’Dare for giving me the opportunity to drive,” said Pither.
Newcomer Ashley Jarvis finished 15th on his V8 Ute debut, while Multispares racer Hansford clawed his way back to finish 12th, after the Turn 1 incident dropped him to last.
Pither drew Position eight for tomorrow’s reverse grid Race 2, which will put Jeremy Gray and Gerard McLeod on the front row, just ahead of Kim Jane and Adam Marjoram.
Race 2 will go to air live on Fox Sports at 11:40 am, with Race 3 scheduled for 4:40pm.
See below top ten results from Race 11 33 All Purpose Pest Control Chris Pither Ford Falcon FG 1:20.2701R 2 58 Holiday For Life Ryal Harris Ford Falcon FG 1:20.5833r 3 68 Rentco Racing Kris Walton Ford Falcon FG 1:20.4914r 4 26 Stratco Racing Rhys McNally Holden Commodore VE 1:20.6133r 5 5 Auto One/Erebus Motorsport Adam Marjoram Holden Commodore VE 1:21.0053r 6 27 Bob Jane T-Marts/Altenzo Performance Kim Jane Holden Commodore VE 1:21.3540r 7 50 RYCO 24-7/Transco MFG Gerard McLeod Holden Commodore VE 1:21.1239r 8 67 JMG Racing Jeremy Gray Ford Falcon FG 1:21.1191r 9 3 Mango Credit David Sieders Holden Commodore VE 1:20.8021r 10 25 Slideways/Go Karting Australia Cam Wilson Ford Falcon FG 1:21.0665r
