for a V8 Ute Round Three Home Town Win
Reigning Series Champion Grant Johnson celebrated a home town win after taking out Round Three of the Yokohama V8 Ute Series at Barbagallo Raceway in Perth yesterday.
Perth local and V8 Ute Rookie Paul Williams lead the top sixteen reverse grid race two this morning for almost the entire 18 laps, until Australian NASCAR Champion Kim Jane made a pass in his Trading Post/Bob Jane T-Marts Holden VE to take the lead to chequered flag. Adelaide Ford driver Craig Dontas was roaring through the field until an unfortunate spin off the circuit left the South Australian at the back of the pack, to finish in 21st. Suffering total brake failure at the end of the back straight, Townsvillle driver Wayne Lamont steered off the track to avoid major carnage but became a passenger in his own Ute and flew airborne into the side of George Elliot, taking both into the sand trap and out of the race. Elliot’s Ute suffered major damage and was out for the weekend. The major collision sparked yellow flag conditions with the safety car entering onto the circuit to remove Elliot and Lamont from the sand. Wheel studs problems on George Miedecke’s Lubrimaxx Ford caused him to lose the left rear and retire from the race after putting in a solid performance, while Kim Jane won over Paul Williams and Gary MacDonald. Johnson and Kim Jane made it an all Holden front row for the final this afternoon with championship leader Layton Crambrook back in 5th spot on the grid. Johnson got on the juice to put his Grove Juice Racing Holden VE ahead of the pack and was unchallenged for the final race win. Ryal Harris, Layton Crambrook and Kim Jane battled it out the entire race for a spot on the podium, with Melbournian Jane deservedly earning second place ahead of Gold Coaster Harris’s Holden in a close third. V8 Ute Rookie Paul Williams rubbed panels with fellow Perth local Clint Harvey, putting Williams into an unforgiving fish tail along the main straight until ploughing off the circuit and retiring as a result. Former NRL Roosters play Jack Elsegood had his worst round yet after being caught up in a three car pile up with Ben Dunn and Yanis Derums. Sydneysider Elsegood was unable to finish the race due to damage sustained in the incident. Kanga Loaders driver Yanis Derums was charged with two drive through penalties today for turning Nandi Kiss around in race two and Ben Dunn in race three. Following three successful races, the Holden VE claimed a Round Three podium washout with Johnson of Hi Tech Motorsport earning his place as the overall winner on 103 points, Bob Jane’s nephew Kim Jane close behind on 94 points and Ryal Harris in the Global Trader Technologies entry in third for the round on 88 points. Shanan Sidebottom of GP Racing in the newly liveried camouflage Holden VE won the Sonax Best Presented Award. Sage Racing’s Gary Baxter started from position 24 on the grid to finish in 11th place, for his stellar effort of passing 13 cars he was awarded the SS Inductions Hard Charger. Sydney Kanga Loaders steerer Gary MacDonald took out the Clutch Industries Hole Shot Award for his start in race two. Darwin driver Layton Crambrook is still leading the series on 251 points, with Kim Jane in second overall on 223 points and reigning series champion Grant Johnson rounding out the top three on 207 points. Glenn McNally is currently heading the charge for V8 Ute Rookie of the Year on 127 points. Round Four of the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series takes place at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway on July 4 – 6. All the action of this weekend will be aired on the Seven Network on May 24 in a V8 Ute stand alone one hour show from 1:30 – 2:30pm. For further information contactYokohama V8 Ute Racing SeriesBianca Wisebianca@v8utes.com.au(07) 55 356 900 Top Ten Race 3 Results1 Grant Johnson Holden VE2 Kim Jane Holden VE3 Ryal Harris Holden VE4 Layton Crambrook Ford BF5 Gary Baxter Holden VE6 Gary MacDonald Holden VE7 Andrew Fisher Ford BF8 Clint Harvey Holden VU9 Scott Jennings Holden VE10 Glenn McNally Holden VU Top Ten Race 2 Results1 Kim Jane Holden VE2 Paul Williams Ford BF3 Gary MacDonald Holden VE4 Gary Baxter Holden VE5 Ryal Harris Holden VE6 Scott Jennings Holden VE7 Layton Crambrook Ford BF8 Grant Johnson Holden VE9 Colin Corkery Ford BF10 Andrew Fisher Ford BF Top Ten Overall Series Standings1 Layton Crambrook 2512 Kim Jane 2233 Grant Johnson 2074 Andrew Fisher 1985 Colin Corkery 1936 Ryal Harris 1897 Scott Jennings 1718 Craig Dontas 1719 Gary MacDonald 17010 George Miedecke 170
