Series front-runner Nathan Pretty’s championship title hopes are looking a little bleak after breaking his toe whilst on holidays this week, only two weeks out from the pinnacle event on the V8 Utes Calendar, Round 6 of the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by ARMOR ALL at Mount Panorama, Bathurst 10 – 13 October.

Pretty gained 36 points on ENZED Drivers Championship Leader Ryal Harris moving into second position after claiming the Round at Sandown earlier in the month and only trails the lead by a mere 11 points and the Bathurst veteran would be utterly disappointed if his injury took him out of the running for the title.

“It would be devastating to not race at Bathurst. It’s my clutch foot, so I’m hoping it won’t be too much of an issue,” said Pretty.

If Pretty can make it to the track he is in the running to become the first V8 Ute driver to win three consecutive V8 Ute Rounds.

“That would be great to add to my list. I’m pumped and would love to take out that title; it would mean I’ve had an amazing weekend at Bathurst and walked away (or hobbled) with a lot of points in my pocked. I’m feeling confident my foot will hold out for the weekend,” he said.

The Victorian has plenty of lap experience around Mount Panorama racing in 13 Bathurst 1000 races with 6 top ten finishes including 4th overall with Rick Kelly in 2002 he also won the inaugural Bathurst 24 hour race with Gary Rogers Motorsport and raced alongside sister Nicole in the Bob Jane T-Marts 99 in a Holden placing 5th overall.

“Yes I’ve done a lot of laps around Bathurst and to win there again and in a V8 Ute is definitely on my hit list,” he said.

Gold Coaster, Harris has claimed four V8 Ute races over the past two years at Mount Panorama and isn’t about to let any more points go.

“I’m feeling really confident coming into Bathurst. We’ve always done really well there and I know where to push myself where other drivers don’t. I’m not too worried about Nathan,” said Harris. Pretty is hoping to hit the track with the rest of the drivers on Thursday, 10th October for two practice sessions.

See bellow full schedule for the weekend:

Thursday, 10th October Practice 1 11:25amThursday, 10th October Practice 2 5:15pmFriday, 11th October Qualifying 4:30pmSaturday, 12th October Race 1 9:30amSaturday, 12th October Race 2 2:10pmSunday, 13th October Race 3 8:00am

Race 2 and Race 3 will be televised Live on Network Seven as part of the Bathurst 1000 program.

See below Pretty’s overall Bathurst 1000 Results:

2010 – 26th Mark Noske Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 10002009 – 20th Ben Collins, Jack Daniels Racing, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 2008 – 8th Jack Perkins, Jack Daniels Racing, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 10002007 – 11th Glenn Seton, Holden Racing Team, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 10002006 – 8th P Weel, Supercheap Auto Racing, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 10002005 – 6th, Owen Kelly, Supercheap Auto Racing, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 10002004 – 10th Allan Simonsen, Repco Valvoline Cummins Team, Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 2003 – DNF, Garry Rogers Motorsport, Bob Jane T-Marts 10002002 – 4th, Rick Kelly, Holden Racing Team Bob Jane T-Marts 10002001 –14th Rick Kelly, K-Mart Racing, Shell 1000 (14th) 2000 –5th Todd Kelly, Holden Racing Team, FIA 1000 Classic1999 – 21st , A Fawcet, Pretty Motorsport, FIA 1000 Classic1998 – 39th Grant Johnson, Pretty Motorsport, FIA 1000 Classic

See below top 5 ENZED Drivers Championship Standings Ryal Harris 612

Nathan Pretty 601David Sieders 586Rhys McNally 553Kris Walton 530