V8 Ute Rookies Rick Gill and Ryan Hansford have topped the timesheets in Friday practice for Round 2 of the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series- protectedby Armor All.
In an uneventful first session, the Rick Gill Motorcycles Ford driven by the local veteran surprised everyone as he used new tyres to clock the fastesttime around the Barbagallo circuit, ahead of V8 Utes reigning champion GrantJohnson.
Series leader David Sieders continued his strong season in theAustralian Industrial Supplies Falcon finishing third while Cameron McConville looked strong early in the Bundaberg Ute taking fourth.
Ben Kavich was the first driver of the weekend to hit trouble as a mechanical problem resulted in the Workhorse Truck Collision Repairs Falcon only completing three laps. The Auto One Wildcard driven by V8 Supercardriver Marcus Marshall was immediately on the pace, impressing to finish12th.
Unfortunately veteran touring car ace Charlie O'Brien was left stranded on the exit of turn two due to a hub failure on the newly sponsored Auto Master's Falcon. This was the first session for all teams using the new Motec ECU, with Motec specialists' trackside to help teams adjust to the system.
Practice two was GO instantly with the GO! Channel Ford of Gary Carsonrunning through Barbagallo's notorious turn one sand trap managing to continue on after driving out the other side. Minutes later the Red Flag was shown as the Coopers Clear Falcon of Jack Elsegood attempted the same feat only to be beached in the sand.
As the session resumed, drivers began to look for track position with Charlie O'Brien and Kim Jane in the Bob Jane T-Marts Holden making contacton the front straight as they both pushed to set a quick lap.
Jane ended uprunning wide into the dirt at Western Australian Sporting Club Corner. For Charlie it has been 29 years since he last raced around Barbagallo. On that day he was in a RALT Formula Atlantic, while in 1976 he completed his firs tlaps around Barbagallo in a Holden Torana SLR 5000.
In the end it was Rookie of the Year leader Ryan Hansford who finished practice two top of the timesheets, with Cameron McConville backing up his strong performance earlier in the day to finish second.
O'Brien was third from local Rick Gill, newly crowned NZ champ Chris Pither fourth, Fisher,Gray, Elsegood, Jane and Johnson rounding out the top 10. Local Nathan Callaghan was 12th with the next WA based driver being Rhys McNally who finished 14th in the Stratco Holden.
In other V8 Ute News, Grant Johnson will be going for a hot lap with JamieWhincup in the Vodafone Commodore after winning a Simulator competition.With Grant's local knowledge of the Barbagallo Circuit, the former V8Supercar Champion will no doubt be looking to gain some Barbagallo secrets from the current V8 Utes Champion.
