David “Sieders” claimed his 16th career ARMOR ALL Pole Award (and $1000 cash in the process) in the three session Qualifying shootout moving him into equal first place on the Championship leader-board at Round 4 of the 2014 Australian V8 Ute Racing Series – fuelled by Hogs Breath Café at the Townsville 500, Friday, 4 July.
Sieders was understandably ecstatic with the result and will start on the grid alongside equal leader Kris Walton tomorrow for Race 1.
“It’s definitely been my hunting ground in the Ute Series is the Pole position I’ve almost got half the poles I’ve raced in in the Utes. I think the best I’ve ever been here in qualifying is P3, so I’ve got Pole now but the biggest tick in the box will be on podium here, it’s really eluded me here in racing. We’re tight on points now so this is great,” he said with a grin.
Walton however disappointed with the second place result is keen to keep the fight going over the weekend.
“The car was good, we obviously wanted to beat one person to get more points and obviously didn’t’ get it that time, he got us again but we’ll keep fighting and go for the round win now and get back to the lead of the championship with a few points in front,” said Walton.
Ryan Hansford put in a great effort in the final minute of the session posting his best time and pushing him into 3rd overall ahead of two-time champion Ryal Harris and Hayman Reese Racing’s Jesse Dixon who was the first of the Holdens.
The hot shot of the day was unquestionably lanky livewire West Aussie Rhys McNally – his eventual fifth placing in qualifying and subsequent third row start tomorrow in Race One was hardly a reflection on his outright speed.
McNally was the one to watch in his Stratco Holden coming into the Session after dominating the time-sheets in Combined Practice and the first Qualifying session, however even though the West Aussie did well to stay in the top ten he wasn’t able to retain his top spot relinquishing it to teammate Sieders.
“We’ve never been a good qualifier we always struggle but we usually have good race pace obviously practice was a good sign but qualifying didn’t go to plan, but never really does for us but not too fussed we are a pretty good race car so not too worried,” said McNally.
Tim “The Toolman” Blanchard put in a stellar performance bringing his CPS Products/ Fightweb Holden home in 7th (his first time in a race car in six months) whilst West Aussie Adam Marjoram came home in 8th ahead of Queenslander Wayne Wakefield in 9th and Victorian Elliot Barbour who closed out the top ten in his Just Car Insurance Holden.
Grant Johnson was the surprise of the day not even making it through to the second session.
“We had a chat before I went out and thought cut off would be a high .28 and we went out cruised around and looked after the tyres and did a mid- 28 and I thought that would be enough and John (Pachos, Team Manager), said I was 21st so I went back out there did a better time still not at 100% effort but it still wasn’t enough, at least we have the best tyres in the paddock for Race 1,” said Johnson.
The V8 Utes will be back on the track tomorrow at 8:15am for Race 1, which will be telecast later in the day at 12:30pm on 7Mate.
