Dave “Sideways” Sieders has recorded a pair of top five placings in today’s practice sessions of the Auto One V8 Ute Series – protected by Armor All at Winton Motor Raceway for the penultimate round of the season.
Finishing fourth in the first session, and third in the second, Sieders was happy with his pace and improvements whilst on old tyres, which has added some confidence ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying session and opening race.
“We were the fastest car out there on old tyres,” said Sieders, “the track was a little slower in the second session, but we managed to improve our times and the car is feeling good”.
“Cam [McConville] topped both sessions on some good tyres, and so did the other Ford guys around us, so I can’t wait to see what we can bank on a new set of tyres for qualifying tomorrow.”
Currently placed second in the Championship, Sieders needs to score five or more points in each of the eight remaining points sessions over current leader Ryal Harris to bridge the 38 point deficit, and if today’s results are anything to go by, it will be a fight to the end.
“I’m really focussed on just doing my best and banking as many points as possible, as I can’t control anything more than that,” said Sieders, “it’s only early days for this round, and we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves, but it is certainly nice to have that gap in practice, but we have to see if we can keep that buffer when places equal points tomorrow.”
Although the V8 Ute Series hasn’t competed on the track since Sieders’ rookie season, the 2006 Ford Performance Racing Test and Development Driver is hoping that all the miles on track in previous years may help to pay dividends this weekend.
“I’ve definitely done my fair share of laps at Winton,” said Sieders, “it’s a good racing track, but with such a tough field, it probably won’t give me any real benefit...but I’ll take every little bit I can get at this point in the season”.
The V8 Utes will be back on track for qualifying at 11:00am before the first race at 3:15pm, with races two and three at 10:30am and 12:15pm on Sunday. You can catch the live action from Race One on Network Seven during the Raceday Xtra programme from 3pm.
“The Championship is coming down to the wire, and we are definitely ‘eyes forward’ and focussed on cutting down that gap to number one this weekend.”
