in V8 Ute Western Showdown
Round Three of the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series kicked off today at Perth’s Barbagallo Raceway with two practice sessions lead by combined fastest time setter Kim "The Assassin" Jane.“It’s great to start the weekend on a high” explained Jane in the Trading Post/Bob Jane Commodore. “We’re just having a ball and with the team and car in good stead we will hopefully continue the success through to a podium win.”
Perth favourite and reigning V8 Ute Champion Grant Johnson was the first to bite the dust when coming in to the main straight he locked up the inside right front brakes, bunkering the Grove Fruit Juice Holden VE in the gravel trap.
Team mate Greg Willis enjoyed the rare occasion of finishing practice with a time almost 6 seconds faster than Johnson. The “Grunta” bounced back in practice two to be second fastest overall for the day.
V8 Ute Rookie and sandgroper Clint Harvey was quick, finishing fourth fastest in the practice session the morning and tenth fastest overall for the day. Fellow rookie Paul Williams competing in the Charlie O’Brien run Ford BF also had a good day finishing mid pack in the combined fastest times.
George Miedecke, son of veteran touring car star Andrew Miedecke lost time in the first session after scoring a flat tyre and was drilled from behind by rookie Michael Bartsch in P2 as he entered the track from pit lane. Bartsch copped a visit to the stewards and a $1,000 fine as a result.
Steve Hodges stopped in the run off at turn one during practice two causing a red flag and cutting the session short.
Current Series leader Layton Crambrook topped the times in practice one however failed to start the second practice session due to breaking an axle on the out lap. The Ute has been repaired and will be starting for the qualifying session tomorrow.
The smiles couldn’t be wiped off the faces of commercial partners Yokohama, Penrite and Century Batteries after they experienced the pace of the brutal V8 Utes during a hot lap session this afternoon. The only ones with broader grins were Make-A-Wish Foundation raffle winners Lee, Damien, Chris and Chad.
Overall Jane, Johnson and Crambrook were less than a 10th of a second apart, with.Sydneysider Scott Jennings putting his new VE Holden in the top 4. NZ’s Colin Corkery, Yanis Derums, Ryal Harris, Jack Elsegood, Nandi Kiss and newcomer Clint Harvey rounded out the top 10 with only 7/10ths of a second separating the top 10. Top Ten Fastest Overall Practice Times
1 Kim Jane Holden VE2 Grant Johnson Holden VE3 Layton Crambrook Ford BF4 Scott Jennings Holden VE5 Colin Corkery Ford BF6 Yanis Derums Holden VE7 Ryal Harris Holden VE8 Jack Elsegood Ford BF9 Nandi Kiss Holden VE10 Clint Harvey Holden VU
