A fierce battle will continue for the series title of the 2009 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by Armor All when 32 Utes head to the famous Mount Panorama circuit 8 – 11th October for round seven.

Current series leader, Jack “The Hustler” Elsegood is only 10 points ahead of 2008 Champion Layton Crambrook who won the Bathurst round last year and is looking to take control of the lead.

“I should have had him (Elsegood) last round but I lost the lead when I made a silly mistake.”

“We’ve done a few laps and have enough experience there now and we are looking to be faster this year,” said Crambrook.

Elsegood who has come within a whisker of winning the title a few years in a row is eager to keep hold of his lead but knows how unpredictable motorsport can be.

“I’ve just been taking it a round at a time you can never be too sure in motorsport. I’ve looked like I’ve had it in the bag a few times, but you can’t predict what’s going to happen on the day,” said Elsegood.

South Australian, Gary Baxter has been dealt a similar card as Elsegood and has been so close but is yet to clinch a title. 

“Bathurst isn’t one of my favourite tracks. It’s one of those tracks where you have to be careful. I’m just going to try and stay out of trouble like I’ve done all year and keep putting points on the board,” said Baxter.

Last round winner, Kim Jane, is looking forward to reigniting the lap record battle with Grant Johnson.

The two popular drivers swapped Bathurst lap records several times throughout last years Bathurst round. 

Jane who came runner up at the 2008 round holds the current lap record in a time of 2:35.71, which he stole off Grant Johnson who held it in Race 1 and 2 in a time of 2:36.23, previous to that Elsegood held the record, which was set in 2006 in a time of 2:39.17.

George Miedecke hasn’t had the luckiest year after a big hit at Hidden Valley, Townsville and then again at Sandown, which has seen him drop from third earlier in the season to sixth but this isn’t going to stop the Port Macquarie young-gun.

“The cars looking good now, Ronnie (head mechanic) has been working hard on it since Sandown and its good to go. I’m feeling confident about the Bathurst track I had a good year last year and it’s helped with dad’s (Andrew Miedecke’) experience,” explained Miedecke.

Returning to the track is Allan Letcher who will continue to drive Ray Sidebottoms, Holden VE Commodore. Former V8 Ute drive Gary MacDonald will also be making a comeback to the Series following an absence since the end of the 2008 season. 

It’s Ben Dunn’s turn to get behind the wheel of the #99 Storage King Ford BF, trading places with dad, Colin who raced at Sandown Raceway.

Marshal Brewer will be driving for George Elliot who is recovering from back surgery, which saw him laid up in hospital for the past 6 weeks.

Marshal has driven in the Series a few times in the past and is happy to step in for his friend but wished it was under different circumstances.

“I love Bathurst and I love the utes, but frankly I would rather George wasn’t in this predicament, but hopefully I will do his car justice and give him something to cheer for on the sidelines.”

Stephen Robinson will be back on track in his Tusker Beer/ Air Vanuatu  Ford BF after his incident at Sandown Raceway where Glenn McNally came in contact forcing Robinson’s car to roll.

Race 2 and Race 3 will be televised live on Network Seven, Saturday 10th October and Sunday 11th October consecutively. Race 2 will be televised in the 12pm telecast at 3pm and Race 3 within the 7am telecast.

Below are the top ten Series Standing:

 1 Jack Elsegood  Coopers Pale Ale Racing  11  633 2  Layton Crambrook  Maxibon/Mother Energy Drink  1  623 3  Gary Baxter  SAGE Automation Racing  3  605 4  Grant Johnson  Grove Fruit Juice Racing  47  585 5  Kim Jane  Bob Jane T-Marts/Trading Post  27  553 6  George Miedecke  Country Energy/Lubrimaxx Racing  7  539 7  Glenn McNally  West Coast Racing/NRW Holdings   12  538 8  Stephen Robinson  Tusker Beer / Air Vanuatu  2  527 9  Craig Dontas  Thirsty Camel Racing  45  487 10  Charlie Kovacs  RED Express Racing  69  478

Below are the top three Racer Industries Rookie of the Year standings:

 1  Paul Williams  Brock Race Engineering / GBF Underground Mining  25  311 2  Gary Carson  WPR Racing/Select TV   13  291 3  Jason Gomersall  Velocity Motorport/ iseek Motorsport  37  147