Race One V8 Ute win continues Series reign in rain for Johnson
Reigning Series champion Grant Johnson took out the first race of the year and set a new lap record today for Race One of the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series at the Clipsal 500.
“I am stoked to win the first race of the year, especially in the stunning new VE, it’s the best looking race car out there and with Hi-Tech Motorsport putting together such a good race package we’re sure to win every other race we start in as well.”
After no rain for a month the Adelaide skies opened up and poured down from the green to the chequered flag causing all kinds of turmoil and some amazing drives by George Miedecke of Port Macquarie, Gold Coaster Ryal Harris and Darwinian Layton Crambrook.
Grant Johnson got off to an early start, but was certainly not holding onto the lead with ease, as Gold Coast gun Matt Kingsley in the Action Tyres and More Holden VE had a scorcher putting constant pressure on the Perth talent.
Johnson qualified on pole with a new lap record, smashing that of former record holder Chris Pither with a new time of 1:38.02. Kingsley qualified only one one-hundredth of a second behind with Corkery, Crambrook and Harris rounding out the top five fastest times. Colin Corkery had his best ever qualifying result, but celebrations were short lived when soon after he had a major collision with the wall.
“I was happy with the time but wanted more and with only half a tenth away from Johnson, I thought that pole was achievable. I went out and tried again but drove too hard and crashed at turn eight. I’m obviously disappointed with the damage but the problems were fixed with only my pride left in pieces.”
The car was sorted in time for race one but mid race he again faced bad luck when the accelerator pedal of the Supercharge Batteries Ford BF broke hindering the New Zealander from another stellar performance.
“I reckon if I could be fast here I could be fast everywhere else” explained Corkery of Wollongong Performance Racing “with the experience I’ve gained from last years’ series I think that I can be a real shot at the title this year.”
Adelaide’s Gary Baxter unfortunately faced the same fate as last year, forcing him unable to finish the race, unlike his blown engine in 07 today Baxter broke a tie rod in his Holden VE after making contact with Stephen Robinson.
Fellow local Charlie Kovacs also suffered mechanical issues when he broke a shifter on the last lap, but thankfully still managed to finish the race.
Nandi Kiss put in one of his best drives of his career finishing ninth in the Veolia Environmental Solutions Holden.
V8 Ute rookie Michael Bartsch aquaplaned into the wall on turn eight lap five bringing out the yellow flag and ending his race debut early.
The safety flag conditions gave the field a chance to catch Grove Juice Racing’s Johnson over the next two laps.
The race restarted with one lap left, Perth talent Johnson proved why he is the reigning Series champion taking out the race win and smashing Chris Pither’s lap record with a new time of 1:38.02.
Andrew Fisher of Jesus Racing was going well in the wet, up to 10th position but with one lap to go he over shot the corner, went down the safety stretch and re joined the pack. The Ford BF driver finished in 15th putting him on the front row for tomorrows top sixteen reverse grid race alongside V8 Supercar star Gary MacDonald.
Hodges started rear of grid after failing to qualify because of a battery cable coming loose. The Sydneysider still managed a huge feat starting from the rear of grid in his stand out ISRI Truck Seats VE and finishing in 14th.
