V8 Utes Triple The Grunt On Day One Of Agp

A non-championship round of the Australian V8 Ute Racing Series hit the streets of Melbourne three separate times on the opening day of the
Australian Grand Prix.

A steaming line of 27 Holden and Ford V8 Machines revved up the morning crowd for the first spectacle of the day, officially opening Australia's
biggest motor racing event with a bang.

It was a bump and grind start in practice with the recently crowned Clipsal 500 champ, Grant "Grunta" Johnson setting the fastest lap squeezing out the competition in his Grove Fruit Juice Holden SS.

Practice was not without its drama as the drivers put a heavy foot on the pedal to set the pace on the fresh tarmac with Denis Cribbin, Ian McAlister and Andrew Flynn all facing electrical and engine troubles
early on in the day.

Andrew "In Like" Flynn's Four Season Condom Ute had a complete engine failure mid practice session and will not be appearing again in the
event.

Qualifying, started mid afternoon, saw the drivers facing some serious issues, with the Utes truly feeling the pace of the AGP track.

"It is a very smooth and fast circuit that seems to suite the new Ford BF's and the Holden Commodores, but easily the fastest- the older model Falcons- proves Team IMB will be a threat for the Championship ahead," said last years Series Champion, Damien White after Qualifying.

The top four drivers of the qualifying session came in exactly the same as the top four that qualified first for race one at the Clipsal 500
only six days ago.

Race one grid was set with Wade in pole, Clipsal champ Johnson in second
followed by Elsegood, White and then Jane.

It was a long day in the Ute paddock with mechanics still working on the
dummy grid only moments before race one began.

As the sun set on the V8 Utes eight laps of glory, the Western Australians came out victorious, once again, with Kerry Wade first and
Grant Johnson close behind.

It was however the battle between Kim Jane and Jack Elsegood on the final lap of the race that really put the crowd on their feet.

"That was great fun, Jane put on the pressure and in the last few laps there was some exceptionally tight racing without ever touching - that's
how the Utes should race," said Elsegood.

Jane was impressed by the sportsmanship of the ex-Roosters player saying "what a good race, I was patient, patient, patient, just trying to suck Jack into making a mistake and when it did happen it was a drag race to
the chequered flag."

The V8 Utes will hit the track for race two the (reverse grid) tomorrow afternoon with the four front runners put back into row four and five making for some crowd pleasing action for day two of the Australian
Grand Prix.

Marcus Zukanovic, who had a very ordinary day, coming home 9th will
start alongside Rod Wilson on the front row.

Race 1 Top Ten:
Kerry Wade
Grant Johnson
Jack Elsegood
Kim Jane
Damien White
James Small
Gary Baxter
James Brock
Marcus Zukanovic
Rod Wilson

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