Holden driver James Brock has his eyes firmly fixed on the first place trophy for next weekend's Round 7 of the Yokohama V8 Ute Series, part of the Lexmark Indy 300 on the Gold Coast.

The Melbourne ace returned to form with a great 3rd place during last year's event, but would like to take the main prize next weekend in honour of his father.

"I would ideally like to win this round as a tribute to my dad, he taught me everything about driving so no doubt when racing my Holden Ute I'll definitely be thinking of him" said Brock.

The Brock Race Engineering Commodore was on the pace during the last round and Brock's vast experience around the Indy track will no doubt have him on the money from the first session.

Series leader Melbourne's Marcus "Mayhem" Zukanovic only has two rounds left to secure the title, however with five other drivers all within a hundred points ! of the lead, the pressure is mounting for a spectacular Indy showdown.

Coopers Pale Ale driver Jack "The Hustler" Elsegood is feeling the second place shudders, after being runner up at Queensland Raceway during Round 6 of the Series, second at Indy in 2005 and currently sitting at second in the series overall.

After 5 years of competing in the V8 Ute Racing Series and with only 2 rounds left, Elsegood has high hopes of taking out the title of overall series champion.

"I finished runner up in the 2004 series, but would love to take the championship. Marcus is a tough competitor, but as Indy proved last year anything can happen. Thunderstorms, red flags, the reverse of the top 10 in race 2, you just need the right roll of the dice and Indy can turn the championship around for you ? one way or another." Elsegood said.

Grove Fruit Juice driver Grant Johnson will return to the S! urfers Paradise Street Circuit with an advantage after setting last year's fastest lap time of 1:21.38. If last year is anything to go by, there'll be plenty of close competition, with seven other drivers all within one second of Johnson's 2005 lap time. The Perth driver is running 3rd in the series, just ahead of Gary Baxter and Kerry Wade.

Rookie to the V8 Utes, Ben "The Bull" Kavich will need to muster up all his courage to take on the unforgiving concrete corners of Indy, hopefully using his by name by nature rough and tumble attitude to finish through to the chequered flag. Kavich will line up in the brand new Allan Grice Racing BF Ford, debuting for the first time this season.

Bathurst and V8 Ute veteran Denis Cribbin has stripped out of his Holden race suit and will suit up in a brand new suit for the Indy event. The former Holden dealer has taken over a new BF Ford Falcon XR8 for the Gold Coast event and is looking forward to the change of marque. 

"I have been a Holden dealer for many years, but recently sold the Moss Vale dealership, which has given me the opportunity to try the new Ford. The BF is well developed, and has been strong all year so I am hoping for a significant move up the grid."

Cribbin's Commodore has been leased by Wollongong Performance Racing for Ashley Cooper to race following the signing of NZ driver Dean "Wildman" Perkins for the Gold Coast event in the 2nd Team IMB Ford. Perkins who starred with Damien White in the V8 Ute Trans Tasman Challenge at Manfeild earlier in the year, comes off a 9th placing in the NZ V8 Touring Car Championship. The "Wildman" and the "Iceman" should be a great combo in helping to maximise the reigning Champ's point haul. Perkins Indy appearance is a one off, however he has the pace to spring a surprise.

Returning to the series for the Indy event is Adelaide driver Craig Dontas, in the Adam Brand BF Ford, while local Gold Coasters hungry for success include Brendon Tucker (Holden), Matt Moorehead (Ford) and Ryal Harris (Holden).

The Yokohama V8 Ute's will compete in 3 races over the Indy weekend, with the final on Saturday afternoon. The final round of the series will be at Eastern Creek November 25/26.

To parallel the sensational high octane on track antics of the V8 Ute Racing Series, there is bea-ute-iful off track entertainment in the inaugural V8 Supermodel International Final.

Finalists will travel from all states of Australia and New Zealand to compete for the prestigious title of V8 Ute Grid Girl of the Year, being judged on Sunday October 22 at Shooters Saloon Bar.

The stunning finalists will be based at Gold Coast International Hotel, the home of V8 Ute Racing during the Lexmark Indy 300.

Lexmark Indy 300 - V8 Ute Racing - Schedule

THURSDAY October 19 2006

8:40am Practice 1 20 mins

11:10pm Qualifying 20 mins

1:35pm Race 1 6 laps

FRIDAY October 20 2006

4:45pm Race 2 6 laps

SATURDAY October 21 2006

5.15pm Race 3 6 laps

Entry List

CAR # DRIVERS NAME VEHICLE 1 Damien White          BF Falcon XR8 2 Ashley Cooper         Holden SS 3 Gary Baxter             Holden SS 5 Craig Dontas           BF Falcon XR8 6 Ian McAlister            BF Falcon XR8 8 Scott Jennings        BF Falcon XR8 10 Brendon Tucker    Holden SS 11 Jack Elsegood      BF Falcon XR8 15 Dean Lillie             Holden SS 17 Robert Jarvis         BF Falcon XR8 18 Matthew O'Grady Holden SS 22 James Brock         Holden SS 24 Nandi Kiss             Holden SS 27 Kim Jane                Holden SS 28 Warren Millett         Holden SS 33 Denis Cribbin        BF Falcon XR8 41 Yanis Derums       Holden SS 43 Steve Hodges        Holden SS 44 Greg Willis             BF Falcon XR8 45 Darren Palmer      BF Falcon XR8 47 Grant Johnson      Holden SS 55 George Elliot     Holden SS 58 Ryal Harris            Holden SS 70 Ben Kavich            BF Falcon XR8 71 Marcus Zukanovic  BF Falcon XR8 75 Dean Perkins          Holden SS 77 Matt Moorhead      BF Falcon XR8 88 Kerry Wade           BF Falcon XR8 98 Ben Dunn              BF Falcon XR8 99 Colin Dunn             BF Falcon XR8