Sieders set for cross-continent challenge

Australian Industrial Supplies’ David Sieders will be looking to extend his Championship lead in the 2011 Auto One V8 Ute Series – protected by Armor All when Round Two of the competition heads to Barbagallo Raceway in Western Australia this weekend, 29th April - 1st May.

The 2010 V8 Ute Series' Rookie of the Year leads the Championship after the opening round in Adelaide, for the second time in as many attempts, but Sieders is keen to break last year's hoodoo to not only hold onto, but grow, his two-point advantage.

"It's great to come out of the opening round with the Championship lead again, but we're a very long way from lifting that Championship Trophy,” said David Sieders.

"Last year we were in a similar position, but some engine issues towards the end of the second round, that carried over into the third in Darwin, saw us quickly fall from the top spot, and it's not easy to climb back up, especially with the new points system this year."

With Sieders' Round One win coming from a dramatic three-wheeled Race Four finish, the Western Sydney-based team has been working overtime just to get the car prepared to hit the track.

"Our car was sensational in Adelaide after we gave it a complete rebirth over the Summer,” said Sieders, “after hitting the wall on that final lap we've effectively had to have the car rebuilt again...this time in only four weeks."

"Unfortunately for us, our usual panel beaters weren't available, so we're really grateful to [fellow V8 Ute Competitor] Nandi Kiss and the work of his panel beating shop in Bankstown, who were able to fit us in, and straighten our car out."

Having suffered significant structural damage, as well as most of the componentry and engine needing attention from the crash, the Sieders Racing Team were able to get the car ready for a one day shakedown and test at Goulburn, just days before loading it on the truck for the cross-continent journey.

"We had planned to have two test days between the Adelaide and Perth rounds, but we only had the chance to complete one on the 18th of April, before we had to load and send the car to Perth on the 22nd."

"Thankfully, the results from the test day were awesome...the car was a rocket, and looks good for the next round."

This weekend is only the second time that the V8 Ute Series has held a championship round at the West Australian track, and Sieders joins more than half the field who did not compete in the 2008 meeting.

"It's been a while since I actually raced at Barbagallo...with some pretty mixed results in both the Formula Ford and Lotus Championships,” said Sieders.

“I have only done a few corporate drive days there recently, which won’t really help with racing, and, with 16 other drivers who didn't race in the Utes at this track previously, it should be an interesting round."

Although local driver and reigning V8 Ute Series Champion, Grant Johnson, is widely tipped to back up his previous Perth round win with another strong result, David Sieders knows that his current Championship lead will come under attack from all angles.

"Not only is Grant (Johnson) on his home circuit, but he holds the lap record, won two of the three races, and the round, when the Utes last raced at Barbagallo...and, he is also only 19 points away from the championship lead [currently in fourth position], after Adelaide."

"[Ryal] Harris also finished on the podium in 2008, and he's already shown that he's going to be one of the toughest guys to beat all year," said Sieders, "you've also got the McNally brothers from the region, and not to mention 27 other drivers who all want to win the Championship, and you really can’t discount anyone”.

The Auto One V8 Ute Series resumes the three-race format for Round Two this weekend, with two practice sessions on Friday, Qualifying and Race One on Saturday (08:45 and 11:20am), finishing with Races Two and Three on Sunday (12:35 and 16:45pm).

Channel Seven will broadcast the opening race of the round live during the V8 Supercars support race telecast, starting at 2pm on Saturday 30th April, with a full one hour replay special scheduled for 28th May 2011 at 12:30pm – times are Australian Eastern Standard Time, check local guides.

“The parity between the two makes is so spot on, and there's so much talent between the drivers this year...and, with the Utes filling the final session for the weekend, I think