Local Adelaide stunt driver Gary Baxter topped the time sheets today in the combined practice sessions, kicking off Round 1 of the 2013 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Seriesprotected by Armor All at the Clipsal 500, Thursday, 28th February.
Baxter, (Chucky) is gearing up to celebrate his 300th V8 Ute race start tomorrow in the Sage Automation/Roof Seal Holden, and is hoping for continued success in front of his home-crowd.
I was the fastest at our test day at Mallala the other day, and I was feeling confident coming into the round. We just need to produce the same result for the rest of the weekend and well be doing well, said Baxter.
Another local, Craig Dontas, was second fastest in the second session and claimed third fastest overall in the combined session.
There was a fair bit of pressure going on but it was good to get it under control and get out there instead of worrying about everything else. Id be happy to qualify somewhere in the top six or seven and that will help us put the weekend together, it would be good to be somewhere in the mix for race 3. Its all about the championship this year, said Dontas.
Only 2/100ths of a second separated Dontas from HT Racings Ryan Hansford who was lucky to come in second overall after a clout with the wall in session 2, damaging the diff and rear-end, however the Ute will be ready for Qualifying in the morning.
2012 Clipsal podium finisher Andrew Fisher clocked a good time to bring the Jesus Racing Ford home in sixth, ahead of 2012 Clipsal winner Kris Walton in seventh in the Rentco Ford.
Bob Jane T-Marts Racings Kim Jane was only 3/100ths of a second behind 2013 Rookie contender Elliot Barbour, who did a great job to come home 9th fastest, in his first V8 Ute outing.
I think we should be good tomorrow, the cars definitely got the speed, its just finding a clear track. We were running in the top three most of the session and Im hoping for a top 3 tomorrow.
The young gun is looking for a podium on debut following in his teammates (David Sieders) footsteps.
Im going off Dave, hes the guru in the team and you always challenge yourself off your teammates. Hes an experienced driver and been doing it for a long time. I was only a couple of tenths off him so Im pretty happy with that, said Barbour.
Barbour held out reigning champ Ryal Harris in his Tapout Ford who came home in tenth. Phonsy Mullan had an issue with his bonnet flying up coming into the Turn 8 sweeper, smashing his windscreen.
It certainly got the heart rate up thats for sure, especially where it happened before the notorious turn 8. We have a new bonnet and windscreen, theres still just a bit of damage to the roof, but the cars all good to go, said Mullan.
Grant Bromley also ran into a few issues with his HTA/Isuzu Utes/ Iseek Ford and was unable to make it out to the second session.
At a place like this you need as many laps as possible, but the boys have done a magic job - theyve worked their bums off changing the gearbox, but unfortunately we missed it by about 5 minutes. Well take our time now, go over it and get ready for qualifying, said Bromley.
Gold Coast driver Cam Wilson was down on power in his Ford, and will do an engine change overnight.
The Utes will hit the track tomorrow morning for Qualifying at 8:30am and Race 1 at 4:55pm, which will be televised LIVE on Network Seven. Race 3 on Sunday will also be televised live as on Network Seven.
