Local driver to start on V8 Utes front row in Townsville

V.I.P. Petfoods racer Ryal Harris cleaned up the field today after claiming the Armor All Pole Award and Race 1, where he set a new lap record in a time of 1:28.29, for Round Four of the 2011 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series - protected by Armor All at the Sucrogen Townsville 400, Saturday, 9th July.

The Gold Coaster's Ford was just 8/100ths of a second faster than Chris Pither's Ice Break Holden in qualifying, with David Sieders, Ryan Hansford, Grant Johnson, Kim Jane, Nathan Pretty, Cameron McConville, Charlie O'Brien and Andrew Fisher rounding out the top 10.

Series veteran Jack Elsegood had his fastest time removed from qualifying for crossing the blend line when joining the circuit from pit lane and finished 16th overall. Six Holden's and six Fords filled out the top twelve qualifying positions.In Race 1 Harris led off the start and was untouchable by the second lap increasing his lead by almost three car lengths.

"I'm really happy with my result today, it was great to get some extra points on the board and hopefully by the end of the weekend my V.I.P. Petfood's Ford will be leading the Series. Having my girlfriend Casey here is great, she's my lucky charm," said Harris.

The battle was on for second with Ice Break Racing's Chris Pither leading David Sieders (Australian Industrial Supplies) off the line until Pither had braking issues and slowly drifted back through the field to end in sixth. Sieders held on to his spot to finish the race in second.

Monster Energy backed driver Nathan Pretty drove well to come home in third from seventh on the grid passing Grant Johnson and Bob Jane T-Marts driver Kim Jane, both ended the race in fourth and fifth respectively.

Cameron McConville's extra track time in the Fujitsu Supercar Series this weekend is paying off; the Bundaberg Racing driver posted seventh for the race ahead of Auto One Wildcard driver Dean Canto in eighth.

Rhys McNally tried to give himself an early birthday present (21 on Monday, 11th July) moving through the field from 14th to end in ninth, however the Stratco Racing backed driver was hit with an 11 series point penalty for spinning Andrew Fisher around. Fisher had his Jesus Racing Ford in eighth at the time.

Truckline Racing's Ryan Hansford started on grid position four, however struggled with gear box issues, which dropped the Rookie back to tenth.

Only Juice Racing's Greg Willis went to tackle teammate Peter Burnitt off the sweeper but unfortunately the two had a coming together and Burnitt spun around in his CNW Electrical Ford. Willis was given a drive through penalty for the incident.

Charlie O'Brien was an unfortunate non finisher along with Sage Automation/Roof Seal backed Gary Baxter after a coming together with Nandi Kiss. O'Brien suffered battery damage and Baxter radiator issues. The two will be back on track for the top 18 reversed grid Race two tomorrow (Sunday, 10th July), which will be televised as live as on Seven Mate from 2pm.

Two Queenslanders will be on the front row with Jason Gomersall taking Pole in his iseek Racing Ford and local Graham Edwards alongside him in his fightweb.com.au Holden.

The drivers will then hit the track for Race 3 at 2pm to round out Round 4 of the Series.

Top ten results for combined practice:

1 58 VIP Petfoods Ryal Harris Ford Falcon XR8 1:27.68 2 42 Ice Break Racing Chris Pither Holden SS 1:27.77 3 8 Australian Industrial Supplies David Sieders Ford Falcon XR8 1:27.88 4 6 Truckline Racing Ryan Hansford Ford Falcon XR8 1:28.19 5 1 Holiday Inn/ Core Staff Grant Johnson Holden SS 1:28.22 6 27 Bob Jane T-Marts Kim Jane Holden SS 1:28.27 7 56 Monster Energy Nathan Pretty Holden SS 1:28.33 8 61 Bundaberg Racing Cameron McConville Holden SS 1:28.35 9 15 Rentco Charlie O'Brien Ford Falcon XR8 1:28.48 10 9 Jesus Racing Andrew Fisher Ford Falcon XR8 1:28.51

Top ten results from Race 11 58 VIP Petfoods Ryal Harris Ford Falcon XR8 1:28.29R 2 8 Australian Industrial Supplies David Sieders Ford Falcon XR8 1:28.44r 3 56 Monster Energy Nathan Pretty Holden SS 1:29.21 4 1 Holiday Inn/ Core Staff Grant Johnson Holden SS 1:29.28 5 27 Bob Jane T-Marts Kim Jane Holden SS 1:28.78 6 42 Ice Break Racing Chris Pither Holden SS 1:29.07 7 61 Bundaberg Racing Cameron McConville Holden SS 1:29.26 8 10 Auto One Wildcard Dean Canto Holden SS 1:29.31 9 26 STRATCO Racing Rhys McNally Holden SS 1:29.40 10 6 Truckline Racing Ryan Hansford Ford Falcon XR8 1:29.22