V8 Ute Rookie of the Year contender, Rhett Rev Head Noonan, is pumped for action on home turf when he takes to the track for Round 3 of the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Seriesprotected by Armor All at Barbagallo Raceway, Perth, 3May.
The former Formula Ford driver is hoping his home-round wont be the end of his 2013 V8 Ute Season campaign.
Im looking for a bit more help to get me through the rest of the year. Ben (Dunn) said I can continue in his Ute if I can support myself. Accuweigh and Jaypak have been great supporters since my Formula Ford career and if we keep going for the season we will continue to run them on our car, we just need a few more dollars to get us over the line, explained Noonan.
The Piara Waters local is currently steering V8 Ute Veteran and former Waratahs Rugby Union Player Ben Dunns Ford, and although the V8 Ute Board Member would love to race this season hed be happy to keep the Ute available to the youngster.
Rhetts only starting his career and it would be great to see him continue to fight for the Rookie title. He showed a lot of potential in his first round at Clipsal and hopefully he can persist through the season, said Dunn.
Noonans car is run by Sieders Racing, who have a long-line of Rookie champions in the team including; 2012 runner-up David Sieders (2010 Rookie), Andrew Fisher (2007 Rookie) and the team will also be joined by 2008 Rookie of the Year, Glenn McNally for the Perth Round.
The 19 year old is the youngest driver in the Series, 3 months shy of fellow Rookie and West Aussie Adam Marjoram and is currently running 5th in the V8 Ute Rookie fight, only 66 points behind current leader and Sieders Racing Teammate Elliot Barbour.
Noonan was unlucky to have a DNF in Race 3 at Adelaide, due to contact from Noel Edge at turn 1 off the start. Richard Bloomfield was also caught up in the incident and was unlucky to clip Noonan, damaging the front end.
I was tagged by Bloomfield (Richard) and someone else whilst I was going backwards so that was a bit of a scary moment. I broke the diff in it, drove it back to the pits and the boys said it was all over, he said post-race.
The young-gun is not going to let the incident faze him though.
It will be business as usual. Ive only raced at Barbagallo twice in the Formula Ford State Series. Ive never driven a sedan there, but Ive done heaps of laps in an open wheeler. Were just looking to build on where we were at Clipsal and aim for those top 10, top 15 finishes, I cant wait, he said.
Noonan is testing with the rest of his Sieders Racing Team tomorrow at Sydney Motorsport Park and will hit his home track on Friday, 3 May for two practice sessions before kicking into the races over the weekend.
Rookie Leader Board: Elliot Barbour 108Jesse Dixon 93Cam Wilson 60Adam Marjoram 47Rhett Noonan 42Grant Bromley 21Matt Nolan 17
Holdens Nathan Pretty leads the ENZED Drivers Championship outright, from Jesus Racings Andrew Fisher and Perth young gun Rhys McNally in the Stratco Holden.
The V8 Utes Series is managed by SPHERIX, and consists of a 32 Ute field made up of 16 Ford and 16 Holdens. The Series has been in action since 2001 and is televised nationally through Network Seven.
Ronald McDonald HouseSouth East QLD is the Official Charity to Australian V8 Ute Racing. Ronald McDonald House is dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families and provided vital help to over 75,000 families through a wide range of programs.
