for Ice Break Racing

Reigning New Zealand V8 Ute Champion Chris Pither added another prestigious title to his impressive racing resume by winning the 2011 Auto One V8 Ute Series - protected by Armor All at Sydney's Telstra 500 today (Sunday, 4th December).

The 24 year old Palmerston North native claimed the series win in Race 2 after rival Ryal Harris broke a front upright while leading the second race, and did not finish in the V.I.P. Petfoods Ford.Mentored by Ice Break Racing's Team Owner Darren Park, Pither has played the points game all year in a smart strategy that delivered him his 5th National series win, claiming two New Zealand HQ series, before taking two NZ V8 Ute crowns. At 16 years of age, Pither was the youngest ever driver to hold a racing licence in NZ, and won the prestigious Bruce McLaren scholarship which included a trip to the U.K to the McLaren factory."This is a great result for all the hard work Darren and the Ice Break team has put in. We did three engine changes over the weekend, and when we were back in 13th while Ryal was running away in Race 2, I was starting to think it might all go pear shaped. This is a tough series to win, and I am very proud to have taken the trophy, especially with my long time NZ supporter Ash Cairns, who gave me my first break in HQ's, watching on from pit lane."David Sieders wrapped up second in the Championship, with Harris finishing 3rd."We had the speed this year, but Sandown cost us dearly last round, so the Championship was always a tough ask. However to take the round win in front of our home crowd was a nice reward for the team, and to overtake Ryal for the runner up podium spot in the series was well deserved for the team."

Harris was the fastest overall driver for the season, claiming the most race wins, however didn't deliver the points consistency needed to take the title."Darwin and Sandown cost us dearly, and also a broken axle in Townsville, however the wins at Bathurst and the Gold Coast were very special and proved we had the fastest package. It was always a long shot coming into this round to take the title, and I would just like to thank Peter Burnitt, Cam, Joe, the Big Gun Team and V.I.P. Petfoods for giving me the opportunity."Perth's Rhys McNally also starred this weekend, claiming a win in Race 2 with an extremely polished drive. McNally started on the front row alongside Charlie O'Brien, and led the field away, until Harris moved past mid race. McNally regained the lead after Harris headed for pit lane, and was pushed hard by McConville and Sieders over the final laps. Sieders made the move on McConville for second, and then set after the 21 year old, closing in over the final two laps. McNally held his nerve, and despite losing second gear on the last 4 corners, claimed his second race win. Sieders and McConville finished 2nd and 3rd, from Elsegood, Pither, Jane, Fisher, Hansford, Baxter and Gary Carson in the FG.Reigning Champ Grant Johnson was black flagged mid race for a trailing bumper ending any chance of a series podium, along with Monster energy driver Nathan Pretty, while Rare Spares driver Kris Walton ended up in the wall after toughing it out with Andrew Fisher on lap 8.

Adam Macrow picked up the SS Inductions Hard Charger Award passing 15 utes in the Auto One Wildcard Holden.Rain poured down just as Sieders and McNally lined up on the front row for the final, forcing officials to start the race under safety car. McNally, Pither, Fisher all speared down the escape road at Turn 1, while Sieders jumped to an early lead, however was another to be served up by the conditions later in the lap. Kim Jane locked up and hit Elsegood, while Carson, Johnson and Gomersall also paid the penalty in the downpour.Officials declared the race due to the dangerous conditions, which gave Cameron McConville his second race win of the season, from Baxter, Sieders, Harris, Walton, Gary MacDonald, Ben Kavich, Nandi Kiss, George Elliot and Charlie O'Brien. Sieders, McConville and Pither rounded out the top 3 for the round.Elliot's top 8 backed up a great 13th in Race 2, and showed there was still plenty of caffeine left in the Vittoria Coffee backed veteran, the most senior driver in the field who claimed the Masters Award for the weekend.

Ryan Hansford in the Truckline Ford won the Rookie of the Year title from Jake McNally."I would like to acknowledge Rod Dawson, who has put his faith in my ability for a number of years, so it is great to reward Rod and the Truckline team with the Rookie title."Craig Dontas won the Champion Spark Plugs Hole Shot Award and $500 cash, and Andrew Fisher the Armor All Best Presented Award.Round 8 of the 2011 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series - protected by Armor All will be telecast on Saturday 17th December on 7Mate at 12 Noon - check local guides.Below top ten results from Race 21 26 STRATCO Racing Rhys McNally Holden SS

1:47.76 2 8 Australian Industrial Supplies David Sieders Ford Falcon XR8 1:46.92 3 3 61 Bundaberg Racing Cameron McConville Holden SS 1:47.91 4 11 Coopers Clear Racing Jack Elsegood Ford Falcon XR8 1:47.97 5 42 Ice Break Racing Chris Pither Holden SS 1:48.27 6 27 Bob Jane T-Marts

Kim Jane Holden SS 1:48.69 7 9 Jesus Racing Andrew Fisher Ford Falcon XR8 1:48.52 8 6 Truckline Racing Ryan Hansford Ford Falcon XR8 1:48.73 9 3 Sage Automation / Roof Seal Gary Baxter Holden SS 1:48.93 10 13 Go! Channel Gary Carson Ford Falcon XR8 1:49.08

Click here <http://login.ireach.com.au/ch/16769/2d7ypz3/1571708/16a23d1qq.html> to download full results from Race 2Below full results for Race 3

1 61 Bundaberg Racing Cameron McConville Holden SS 2:06.19* 2 3 Sage Automation / Roof Seal Gary Baxter Holden SS 2:10.90 3 8 Australian Industrial Supplies David Sieders Ford Falcon XR8 2:13.98 4 58 VIP Petfoods Ryal Harris Ford Falcon XR8 2:10.34 5 68 Rare Spares Kris Walton Ford Falcon XR8 2:08.58 6 45 Interior Logistics Gary MacDonald Ford Falcon XR8 2:14.73 7 23 Workhorse Truck Collision Repairs Ben Kavich Ford Falcon XR8 2:14.85 8 24 Eagle Pro Racing Nandi Kiss Holden SS 2:14.44 9 55 Vittoria Coffee / DIC Australia George Elliot Holden SS 2:14.46 10 15 Future Assist Group Charlie O'Brien Ford Falcon XR8 2:14.65

See below top four results from the ENZED drivers championship

1 Chris Pither 935 2 Ryal Harris 908 3 David Sieders 882 4 Grant Johnson 851