Holden Takes First Blood In New Zealand V8 Ute Opener

V8 Supercar drivers Jason Richards and Simon Wills gave Holden a strong victory in the first 2 V8 Ute International Races at Manfeild Park
today.

After strong qualifying performances in which Holden dominated the first 5 positions, Richards in the Supercheap Auto/Sage Racing Commodore started Race 1 from pole and was never headed. Adelaide's Charlie Kovacs launched from 3rd on the grid and chased Richards all the way, while reigning V8 Ute Champion Damien White moved strongly from his 3rd row grid spot through the pack to finish on the podium in the IMB Ford.

Holden hero James Brock was also a podium chance until clutch failure forced the Melbourne driver to finish with his ute in 4th gear.

"We can not believe our luck. The team did such a great job to fix the car after the differential went in qualifying and to have something so aggravating happen is just a shame for the team." Brock said.

It was also smiles in the Kovacs camp with Charlie returning to the podium after a long absence. "We are so happy with the way things are going this weekend, I know the car is good and I know I can drive it and finally it's all coming together for us." Kovacs said with a smile (we
think).

Race victor Jason Richards was delighted with how things went for him. "I was feeling the pressure a little before the race. The expectations were high but, we tried a few little set up changes for the race that paid great dividends. It's great to return home and finish with the race
win."

Kim Jane, New Zealand's Michael Bristow, Nick Ross and Former World Superbike hero Aaron Slight all had strong runs to finish in the top 10.

The second qualifying session saw the alternate New Zealand and Australian drivers with New Zealand star Chris Pither setting the pole time, from Simon Wills, Ford's Jack Elsegood and Marcus Zukanovic.

Race 2 lived up to the expected Ute persona in no uncertain terms. Right from the start of the race the action was tough and hard fought.

Simon Wills took and lead until Zukanovic made a move under brakes mid race into turn 1, grabbing the lead with a locked brake, but running
wide on the exit handing the lead back to Wills.

"The main aim was to bring the car home in one piece. The main tomorrow
is the big one for us and were keen for a win." Wills said.

Zukanovic hang on for second but all the talk in the race was for the
battle for 3rd spot taken out by New Zealander Chris Pither.

Jack Elsegood and Pither traded blows from the flag fall changing position a number of times until Elsegood was black flagged after stewards deemed that he pushed Chris Pither off the track twice.

"I never touched him. All the damage on my car came from him pushing me. I'm irate and have asked the officials to take another look at the
incident." Elsegood said.

Irrespective of what the officials response, the strong Saturday crowd here in Manfield New Zealand witnessed some great racing and guaranteed
a strong attendance for the final three races on Sunday.

Tomorrow's first races will be reverse grids of today's race results, with a 24 lap Trans Tasman final complete with a driver change to wrap up the weekend. Qualifying 1 1 3 Jason Richards NZ Holden 2 22 James Brock AUST Holden 3 69 Charlie Kovacs AUST Holden 4 18 Michael Bristow NZ Holden 5 27 Kim Jane AUST Holden Qualifying 2 1 41 Chris Pither NZ Holden 2 69 Simon Wills NZ Holden 3 11 Jack Elsegood AUST Ford 4 71 Marcus Zukanovic AUST Ford 5 3 Garry Baxter AUST Holden Race 1 1 3 Jason Richards NZ Holden 2 69 Charlie Kovacs AUST Holden 3 1 Damien White AUST Ford 4 27 Kim Jane AUST Holden 5 18 Michael Bristow NZ Holden 6 55 Nick Ross NZ Holden 7 71 Aaron Slight NZ Ford 8 40 James Harrigan AUST Ford 9 88 Mike Eady NZ Ford 10 6 Kirk Stoneman NZ Ford Race 2 1 69 Simon Wills NZ Holden 2 71 Marcus Zukanovic AUST Ford 3 41 Chris Pither NZ Holden 4 18 Matt O'Grady AUST Holden 5 3 Garry Baxter AUST Holden 6 27 Rhys McKay NZ Holden 7 40 Brady Kennet NZ Ford 8 1 Dean Perkins NZ Ford 9 22 Wade Henshaw NZ Holden 10 7 Yanis Derums AUST Ford
SCHEDULE

Sunday 5th February 2006- V8 UTE INTERNATIONAL 11.20am R13 V8 Utes - NZ / AUS Team One Drivers (10 Lap race) 13.15pm R18 V8 Utes -NZ / AUS Team Two Drivers (10 Lap race)
14.15pm V8 Ute International (24 Laps)

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