Chris Pither in the ENZED Falcon. Photo: SportProMedia.com
It may be nearly Christmas but expect fireworks when the NZV8 Utes hit Pukekohe Park Raceway for Round 2 of their 2009/2010 championship this weekend.
The V8 Utes are never dull but the South Auckland circuit seems to bring out some of the best action in this exciting category. This weekend they are part of the action as the IRC Summer Of Thunder Tour brings “Thunder In The Park’ to Pukekohe Park Raceway.
The big question as the series prepares for its second stoush of the year is whether “The Doctor”, Round 1 winner Chris Pither of Palmerston North, can be beaten at Pukekohe. At the opening round held at Taupo over Labour Weekend Pither was unbeatable in the ENZED Falcon. Pole position and three race wins there sees the 22-year-old arrive at Pukekohe with a 26 point lead over defending champion, Caine Lobb of Whangarei.
While Lobb left Taupo second in the series it was not the best of weekend’s for the defending champion. “Taupo wasn’t our weekend,” said the “Ginja Ninja” as he contemplated the upcoming round recently. “We’re looking forward to this weekend, Pukekohe has always favoured the VE (Commodore). I haven’t even sat in the Mark Cromie Holden since Taupo. We have had a couple of test days cancelled. Still Pukekohe is just two corners really. It’s very quick and it’s not my worst track.”
Rookie Simon Grace will be looking to build on his great debut in the category this weekend. Third at Taupo, a result he confesses surprised even himself, he would be happy to match that effort this weekend. Grace, of Christchurch, has never raced at Pukekohe before but has been there a few times and has had a good look at the circuit. “There’s a couple of corners I’ll need to get my head around. We’ve asked a few questions and we have got an idea on set-up. Grace reiterates Lobb’s thoughts on Pukekohe being a Holden circuit. “I’m told the Holdens have gone well here in the past and that will be good, Taupo seemed to favour the Fords.
While these three were the top trio at Taupo there will plenty of close quarter tussles throughout the field. Geoff Spencer (Spence), “Dirty” David Kernohan, Mike Pero “The Loan Ranger”, James “Huggi” Urquhart, Steve “Rusty” Elliott, Peter Robb and Graham “Snr Burner” Beirne are only seperated by a mere 19 points in the championship standings so expect a massive battle. Beirne actually qualified second fastest at Taupo so there is no questioning his speed in the John Jones Steel Falcon.
While Bob ‘Sly & Dirty’ Grove languishes on just 78 points he took a fine third place in one of the races at Taupo, problems in other races preventing him from adding a more substantial points haul to his tally.
The NZV8 Utes Series enjoys support from corporate partners, ENZED, Radio Hauraki, Yokohama and Penrite for this season while the NZV8 Utes are managed by category manager, Jamie Kett of Event 1.
ends
POINTS (After Round 1)
Pither – 156; Lobb – 130; Grace – 120; Spencer – 109; Robb – 108; Kernohan – 106; Pero – 102; Urquhart – 100; Beirne – 93; Elliott – 90; Grove – 78;
NZV8 Utes Calendar 2009/2010:
- Round 1: Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo – 23-25 October 2009 “V8 Attack”
- Round 2: Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland – 4-6 December 2009 “Thunder In The Park”
- Round 3: Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Meremere – 5-7 February 2010 “TRS International”
- Round 4: Powerbuilt Tools Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch – 19 – 21 March 2010 “Powerbuilt Tools”
- Round 5: Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels, Timaru – 26-28 March 2010 “Truck & Ute Finals”
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Last 5 posts in V8 Utes
- Chris Pither Continues Winning Run - December 7th, 2009
- Pither Makes Strong Start To NZV8 Utes Series - October 31st, 2009
- Caine Lobb Second at Tough Opener - October 29th, 2009
- Pither Starts NZV8 Ute Series With Clean Sweep - October 26th, 2009
- Pither Makes Great Start To Ute Series - October 25th, 2009
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