The Sieders Racing Team has locked out the front row for the opening race of the Australian V8 Ute Racing Series - fuelled by Hog's Breath Cafe at Mount Panorama Bathurst today, 10th October 2014.
Following Parc Ferme penalties that saw seven drivers have their fastest times invalidated from this morning's session, Dave Sieders' Sterling Automotive Equipment FG Ford was promoted to its fourth pole position of the season, whilst Rhys McNally's Stratco VE Holden was moved from fourth to second.
"It's Bathurst, and there's nowhere you'd want pole more than here, and for the team to end up with the front row with both a Ford and a Holden is an awesome result," said Sieders, "it feels like a bit of a hollow victory, but for me that's now four front row starts in five years, with two poles and one third, so I am pretty happy about that for a track record at Bathurst."
"I think we held pole for about 10 minutes during qualifying, and have consistently been the fastest Holden this weekend," said McNally, "I haven't qualified better than seventh here before, so to be on the front row is great, and to only be beaten by one of my teammates makes it a little more bearable, but I need to get one over Dave by the end of the year".
After Nathan Pretty was excluded from qualifying last year, the penalty to the Armor All Series Leader at Bathurst has again been to the benefit of Sieders, although the penalty to Kris Walton only sees him drop six points, going to fourth from Pole.
"I might not agree with the penalty, but we're chasing 39 points, so it's definitely something we needed to get things going," said Sieders, "I'm totally focussed on staying in front of Kris, and after Sandown, I think he knows I mean business and won't give away any spot to him".
Sieders will look to extend his race one winning form when the V8 Utes hit the track at 7.45am on the Mount Panorama street circuit tomorrow.
"13 of my race wins have been in the opening race, with 11 of those off pole, and I've only missed one race one win at Bathurst in four years, so I'll be looking to make that four opening race wins from five starts tomorrow."
