Miedecke takes V8 Ute Sydney Win to close the gap on Series Leader

iSeek Racing’s George Miedecke continues to keep his championship fight alive after claiming Race 1 of the final round of the 2015 East Coast Bullbars Australian V8 Ute Racing Series, two spots ahead of teammate and series leader Ryal Harris, who claimed third for the race at the Coates Hire Sydney 500, Saturday, 5th December.

Only 80 points separates Matt Stone Racing teammates Miedecke and Harris who both started alongside each other on the front row, with Harris taking an early lead into turn 1. However by turn 3 Miedecke passed him and held onto the lead to take his third Sydney victory and inched closer to take out the ARMOR ALL Drivers Championship.

“It has to rely on his misfortune (winning the Championship). Without Townsville, we would have been a bit closer but Ryal has driven well all year and if he wins the championship he deserves it. I’m not here to get in his way but I’m not going to hold back and if the opportunity presents itself I will take it,” said Miedecke.

Ticketsandtours backed Harris is still feeling confident, playing a conservative race in third with mounted pressure from 2014 Champion Kris Walton in the final laps.

“Obviously our aim is to stay out of trouble in the next one and bring it home, and hopefully finish somewhere in the top ten. Obviously I would have loved to have won it, George got me on the over and under and I was happy to settle for third,” explained Harris.

Multispares Racing’s Ryan Hansford drove well to overtake Harris on the second lap to come home in second for the race, putting pressure on Miedecke in the final laps but not able to take the win.

It was Peters Motorsport versus Matt Stone Racing with Hansford’s teammate Walton walking away with fourth for the Race, ahead of David Sieders in fifth, Craig Dontas in sixth, Rhys McNally in seventh and Burbank Racing’s Nathan Pretty in eighth. Gerard McLeod made a great pass on Andrew Fisher to claim 9th with Fisher rounding out the top ten.

McLeod made the pass just after the restart; a safety car was called after the second lap when Rookies, Tyler Greenbury and Leigh Nicolaou came together at the exit of turn 1. The former Go Karting rivals, both a little unsure of what happened.

“When I was passing for another spot on the exit of turn 1, I got turned into half way down the straight, I managed to get going again and get back to 18th,” said Greenbury.

Nicolaou suffered most of the damage unable to finish the race.

“I started 19th got up to 15th on lap two and coming down the back straight, Tyler was behind me and he had a better run and I moved to the middle and then I got spun, looks like he caught my rear tail light and spun me into the fence, I moved over to defend my line. The car should be repairable I just broke a steering arm and rim, I might not make the next race with the tight turn-around but we will definitely be on-track for Race 3 tomorrow,” explained the Shamick Racing driver.

The event was deemed a racing incident.

Danny Buzadzic also kissed the wall after overshooting into turn 11, ending his race. The General Western Body Works owner shouldn’t have an issue buffing out the damage. Michael Almond also finished in Pit Lane after he broke a clutch pedal.

Sydneysider Steve Hodges had a great run from 22nd to end his race in 16th overall.

There are 140 points left for the taking this weekend with Kim Jane knocked out of the championship race, there are six drivers remaining in contention including;

Drivers still remain in the hunt for the ARMOR ALL Drivers Championship including;1 Ryal Harris 58 Ticketsandtours.com.au 10922 George Miedecke 35 iSeek Racing/ Miedecke Motorgroup 10123 Adam Marjoram 5 Auto One Racing / Erebus Motorsport 9744 Kris Walton 68 Rentco Transport Equipment Rentals 9705 Gerard McLeod 50 Ryco 24-7/ Transco MFG Australia 9476 David Sieders 3 Mango Credit 946


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