The Penultimate Round of the 2012 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Seriesprotected by Armor All will take place at Winton Raceway, 1719 November, and with 140 of the final 280 points up for grabs - the weekend will see the fierce battle for Series contention continue.
There are still 11 drivers in with a fighting chance including Ryal Harris, David Sieders, Nathan Pretty, Andrew Fisher, Rhys McNally, Kris Walton, Ryan Hansford, Cameron McConville, Craig Dontas, Kim Jane and Gary Baxter.
Gold Coaster Ryal Harris leads the ENZED Drivers Championship by 38 points over David Sieders and 65 points ahead of local Nathan Pretty in third, although Andrew Fisher in fourth and Gary Baxter, currently sitting in 11th, have the best track record at Winton. Fisher placed 2nd at Winton in 2010 and with a lap record and two podiums under his belt for the year hes definitely going to give it everything hes got.
To win, thats the only strategy. Weve been on the podium two rounds already. I really love racing at Winton, its a technical track so were hoping to do well there and finish well at Sydney. If we win both rounds well be in for a chance of the championship, so thats the plan, said Fisher.
Baxter is the most successful driver there with three podiums under his belt from 2008, 2009 and 2010. He considers Winton his home-track outside South Australia having raced there on two and four wheels, Clockwise and Anti-clockwise and on the old and the new circuit
We are really struggling with the qualifying set-up. If we can sort out the qualifying issues then it should be a good weekend. We were out there a month ago in the rain and I was the fastest out there. It would be better for me if it rains, you just have to concentrate more, said Baxter.
Although theyre yet to steer a V8 Ute around Winton Raceway, a couple of drivers whove clocked up a lot of laps around the track are Cameron McConville, Pretty and also Auto One Wildcard driver Jason Bargwanna.
Pretty, who only dropped out of the Series lead after Bathurst, is hoping to have a turn-around at his home-track.
I raced there a fair while ago now. We had a lot of success in the Monaro, so hopefully we can try and replicate that. I was disappointed we had a mechanical failure at the Gold Coast, but weve put that behind us and looking to the next 6 races, we just have to make sure were up the front for all of them, explained the Monster Energy sponsored driver.
Phonsy Mullan, who had commitments to the Australian Jet Boat Titles, and Peter Burnitt will both make a return to the field after sitting the last round out, Jason Gomersall and Yanis Derums will also make a come-back. Gomersall has sat out since Perth after selling his ute to Jeremy Gray and Derums last had a run at Darwin. Gomersall will steer the Sieders racing prepared FG that was driven by Steven Charman in the last two rounds. Charman is stepping out of the Series this year to make a return in 2013.
The V8 Utes will hit the track for two practice sessions on Friday, 17th November, Qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday, 18th and Race 2 and 3 on Sunday. Race 1 will be televised live on Network Seven.
