Dave “Sideways” Sieders will line up for his 100th start in the Australian V8 Ute Racing Series when he returns to the Clipsal 500 event to start his fifth season next weekend, 29 February – 2 March 2014.
As a two time round winner, the current track lap record holder, and the only driver to claim three consecutive pole positions at the Adelaide Parklands circuit, there are few other places more fitting for the 29 year-old from Londonderry, in Sydney’s West, to make this milestone.
“It’s hard to believe I’m already coming up to 100 races in the Utes,” said Sieders, “my first round back in 2010 was half expected to be one of only a handful that year, butwe managed to secure support at that debut round and ended up racing the full season, and now we’re lining up for season number five”.
“Adelaide is definitely one of my favourite tracks, and probably one track I’ve been most successful at, not just in the Utes,” said Sieders, “the track takes a lot of commitment to go fast, a lot of hard braking, and it’s always just suited my driving”.Sieders exploded onto the Ute racing scene back in 2010, taking out pole position, a race win and the series lead on debut, before going on to win the Rookie of the Year in fifth place, and has continued to challenge for the Series title, with two runner-ups (2011, 2012) and third outright in 2013.
“The Sieders Racing Team has had one of their cars finish on the Series podium each year since 2010, and it’s about time we manage to take home the title,” said Sieders, “the competition has been getting tougher each year, and you really can’t afford to make any mistakes if you want a shot at winning it”.With 98 V8 Ute races under his belt, Sieders strength has come from his undeniable pace, having reset track lap records on twelve occasions and claiming 41% of available pole positions, which has seen him finishing each of the last three seasons with the best qualifying results by any driver in the Series.
“Apart from winning, and bringing the car back straight, one of my main goals has always been to finish each session as the fastest Ford, if not fastest overall,” said Sieders.
Sieders will have an opportunity to get behind the wheel prior to the first event of the year, with the Sieders Racing Team heading to Wakefield Park, Goulburn, on Thursday 20th February.
“We’re looking forward to getting all of the cars we’re looking after this year out on the track together for a bit of a run as we build up to the season opener next week.”
The Australian V8 Ute Racing Series will kick off 2014, and the Clipsal event, on the Adelaide Parklands street circuit with two practice sessions on Thursday 27th February 2014, before qualifying at 5:20pm, with one race each day from Friday to Sunday at 2:45pm, 9:25am and 10:50am.“Just like every year, I really can’t wait to get back to racing...we’ll be out to for a strong performance for the first round of the year, and hopefully get another title chase off in the right direction.”
Dave Sieders V8 Ute Series statistics
D. SIEDERS
Round Wins = Adelaide (2010, 2011), Perth (2013), Bathurst (2010, 2013), Gold Coast (2012), Homebush (2011)Pole Positions = Adelaide (2010, 2011, 2012), Perth (2013), Darwin (2011, 2012), Bathurst (2013), Gold Coast (2010, 2012, 2013), Sandown (2011), Homebush (2011, 2013)Race wins = Adelaide (2010, 2011x2), Perth (2013), Darwin (2011, 2012x2), Bathurst (2010x2, 2011, 2013), Gold Coast (2012x2, 2013), Homebush (2011, 2013)Race Lap Records = Adelaide (2011, 2013), Darwin (2011, 2013), Bathurst (2012), Gold Coast (2012), Homebush (2011)Prac/Qual Records = Darwin (2012), Gold Coast (2010, 2012, 2013), Homebush (2013)
