Cameron “Conkers” McConville had the fastest combined practice time today (Friday, 18th November) at Round 7 of the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series –protected by Armor All at Sandown Raceway.
McConville’s Bundaberg Holden was the fastest V8 Ute in both sessions, with his best time a 1:25.02. The motorsport veteran has a lot of mileage around this track and he’s feeling quietly confident of a good result this weekend.
“I’ve been coming here for a long time. The first time I raced here was at the 1993 Sandown Challenge with John Bowe and Dick Johnson. I suppose I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve actually been coming here but I would definitely call this my home circuit along with Winton.”
“I really enjoy this circuit; we come out here all the time for the HSV drive days, so I know my way around it really well. We are just going to try and go out there and finish the year on a high.”
Australian Industrial Supplies backed David Sieders claimed second fastest for Ford over the line with V8 Ute Rookie Ryan Hansford in third by 2 tenths of a second.
Ryal Harris claimed fourth fastest and will be looking to improve as he trails current series leader Chris Pither by 18 points in the ENZED Drivers Championship. Pither was sixth fastest for the combined sessions.
The surprise of the day was newcomer Kris Walton who posted a time of 1:25.88 to be fifth fastest. Walton has stepped up from Saloon cars and is feeling confident in the Ute.
“I’ve only done 20 laps in the Ute before coming here. It’s very similar to what I was driving in Saloon Cars so it didn’t take much to get use to it. I’ve raced here three times before so we are definitely confident we can run up the front, although it’s a different story in the pack with the reverse races. It’s easy when you’re up the front, you can stay there but I’m definitely looking forward to racing tomorrow,” said Walton.
Reigning Champion Grant Johnson pipped Monster Energy backed Nathan Pretty by only three thousandths of a second for 7th and 8th overall, while West Aussie Rhys McNally claimed ninth fastest ahead of Jesus Racing’s Andrew Fisher who rounded out the top ten.
Thirsty Camel’s Craig Dontas lost oil pressure and has taken the Holden back to the workshop for an overnight fix. Young-gun Jake McNally, who was plagued with issues at the Gold Coast, was forced to retire in session two due to a wiring issue.
All drivers will be vying for the Armor All Pole Award and $1000 cash when they take to the track for Qualifying at 9:05am tomorrow followed by Race 1 at 12:15pm which will be Peter Burnitt’s 100th Race.
See below full scheduleSunday, 19th November 9:05am Race 2Sunday, 19th November 12:05pm Race 3
See below Top Ten results from the combined practice sessions.
1 61 Bundaberg Racing Cameron McConville Holden SS VE 1:25.20* 2 8 Australia Industrial Supplies Racing David Sieders Ford Falcon XR8 BF 1:25.21 3 6 Truckline Racing Ryan Hansford Ford Falcon XR8 BF 1:25.41 4 58 VIP Petfoods Ryal Harris Ford Falcon XR8 BF 1:25.83 5 68 Talbrace Steel Fixing /V8 Race Kris Walton Ford Falcon XR8 BF 1:25.88 6 42 Ice Break Racing Chris Pither Holden SS VE 1:25.97 7 1 Hi-Tech Motor Sport Grant Johnson Holden SS VE 1:25.99 8 56 Monster Energy Nathan Pretty Holden SS VE 1:25.99 9 26 STRATCO Racing Rhys McNally Holden SS VE 1:26.14 10 9 Jesus Racing Andrew Fisher Ford Falcon XR8 BF 1:26.17
