Redcliffe ute racer, Kris Killa Walton, made the trip to the land of the long white cloud over the weekend to compete in the UDC New Zealand V8 Ute Series, a support to the ITM 400 V8 Supercar Round at Pukekohe, and although taking out two races, he narrowly missed out on the round win by finishing second to Series leader Chris Hanley.
Walton started off the weekend in great fashion, setting the second fastest time in Qualifying, only 3/tenths of a second shy of Hanley who claimed the Pole Award.
The Queenslander had a great run in Race 1, steaming through the field from the back of the grid (where he started after a ballot draw decided the grid line-up). He made it home in fourth after avoiding a few incidents on the way, and said it felt good to be back in a BF for the first time since his debut in the Australian Series in 2011.
It was good to be driving the old BF again; its where it all started for me in the Aussie series. It was an exciting fight and I was still happy with the result, said Walton.
Walton started Race 2 on the front-row as a result of the reverse marble grid draw, and held firm on the outside through Turn 1 going head to head with fellow front row sitter Geoff Spencer. By the exit of Turn 3, however, Walton had emerged in front and went on to win the race by over 7 seconds. Hanley steamed through the field finishing second behind Walton, scooping up more points for the weekend.
It was a good feeling getting my first race win across the Tasman. It was a nice easy race and thanks to the team, the ute was in great form, said Walton.
Both Hanley and Walton started down the back again for Race 3 and the Aussie had the better charge through the field, taking his Truckline/Rentco BF all the way to the front.
Hanley found it harder to make his way through from the back of the grid, and was locked in behind Peter Robb and Geoff Spencer. However the youngster made a move late in the race to move up another spot into third ahead of Spencer in fourth.
With two-race wins under his belt it wasnt enough to take out the Round, which Hanley won by a mere 3 points.
Its not normal for me to get a good start, but I got three. Therell be a few surprised at that. It was a little disappointing to not take the round, but I still ended the weekend on a high with the win, said Walton.
Walton is hoping to compete in his Truckline Racing Ford BF in more of the New Zealand Rounds.
The weekend has been awesome, everyone has welcomed us and weve enjoyed the hospitality. Theyre good to race with too. Id love to come back. Well get home and sit down with the team and work out what they are going to do with the utesId love to drive one again in New Zealand.
Both Race 2 and Race 3 from Pukekohe were televised live into Australia through the SEVEN Network.
Walton currently sits in 8th position in the 2013 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Seriesprotected by Armor All, which is led by Nathan Pretty and will be looking for a good result in his Rentco Ford FG at the next Round of the Aussie Series in a few weeks time (35 May) after taking out Race 2 there last year.
We had a pretty good run there last year, the ute was quick at Clipsal and if we just keep doing what we did there, we should be in for a good round, said Walton.
