Reigning Series Champion and current 08 Series leader Grant Johnson topped the time sheets for both practice sessions today at Eastern Creek during Round Two of the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series.

Finishing second overall fastest today was Gold Coaster Ryal Harris.  Harris has more to celebrate about than just his result with the announcement of new naming rights sponsor Global Trading Technologies now secure for the year.

Grant Johnson’s nemesis Jack Elsegood in the Coopers Pale Ale Racing Ford finished in third overall fastest for the day.

The Kanga Loaders team of Gary MacDonald and Yanis Derums were also quick in the new VE Holden from Ford driver’s Layton Crambrook and  George Miedecke.

Veteran ute star Charlie Kovacs who faced a massive rebuild following the recent Clipsal 500 round in Adelaide was also fast in practise, however missed the second session due to a gearbox change.

Sydney’s Ben Dunn who missed the first round of the Series due to a wedding in the family is now out of storage and back in the game putting the Storage King Ford BF into 16th fastest in the first practice and 10th fastest in the second session.

2008 V8 Ute Rookie Michael Bartsch running under the WPR Racing banner is improving his times at a remarkable speed working his way up the field from the bottom of the time sheets with his best result at 20th fastest in practice one.

Fellow Rookie Rhys Hansford is also working his way up the time sheets with his best result of 21st fastest in practice one, proving he may be one to watch throughout the year as his on track experience grows.

Before Qualifying tomorrow morning, V8 Ute Racing Drivers are going to participate in a memorial tribute lead by Chaplain Garry Coleman at Eastern Creek Raceway. Prior to Race Three on Sunday, the V8 Utes – all sporting Ash stickers – will drive the warm up lap with their headlights on as a tribute to Ashley Cooper the 2006 V8 Utes Rookie of the Year, who passed away recently following a V8 Supercar crash at the Clipsal 500.

Qualifying takes place at 10:30am this morning with Race One at 2:25pm.

Combined Top Ten TimesGrant Johnson       H     1:50.50Ryal Harris            H     1:51.02Jack Elsegood       F     1:51.18Gary MacDonald    H     1:51.51Yanis Derums        H     1:51.61Layton Crambrook  F     1:51.64George Miedecke   F     1:51.67Charlie Kovacs       H     1:51.79Kim Jane               H     1:52.02Colin Corkery         F     1:52.55

Practice 1Grant Johnson       Holden VERyal Harris            Holden VUJack Elsegood       Ford BFGary MacDonald    Holden VEYanis Derums        Holden VELayton Crambrook  Ford BFCharlie Kovacs       Holden VUKim Jane               Holden VEGeorge Miedecke   Ford BF Colin Corkery         Ford BF

Practice 2Grant Johnson        Holden VEGeorge Miedecke   Ford BFRyal Harris             Holden VUKim Jane               Holden VEJack Elsegood       Ford BFColin Corkery         Ford BFYanis Derums        Holden VEGary MacDonald    Holden VELayton Crambrook  Ford BFBen Dunn              Ford BF