MEDIA RELEASE
5 DECEMBER 2009
 
PITHER CONTINUES WINNING STREAK
 
Palmerston North driver, 'The Doctor' Chris Pither, continued his winning streak in the 2009/2010 NZV8 Ute Series at Pukekohe Park Raceway, south of Auckland today. Pither, was the fastest driver in qualifying at the 2.841 kilometre track before going on to win the first race of the round late this afternoon. Pither had already picked up maximum points at the opening round at Taupo over Labour Weekend and with points at stake for both qualifying and today's race he has made a powerful start in the championship.
 
Pither only needed two flying laps in today's qualifying session to record the fastest lap in the ENZED Falcon despite brake problems. Defending champion the 'Ginja Ninja', Caine Lobb of Whangarei recorded the second fastest time in his Mark Cromie Holden while third fastest was Bob 'Sly & Dirty' Grove of Albany in his Ford. Grove had started the opening round at Taupo strongly but suffered a non-finish that dented his points tally there. Simon Grace of Christchurch who made a strong category debut at Taupo qualified fourth fastest today in his Wunderfloor Commodore.
 
While all important points are at stake in qualifying they do not establish grid positions in the NZV8 Ute category. Instead a marble draw decides the order for the first of the three races at each round.
 
Today's draw gave pole to 'Dirty Dave' Kernohan of Turangi. Grace took second on the grid ahead of Ward and Pither. Mike Pero, 'The Loan Ranger' was fifth with fellow Cantabrian Graham 'Snr Burner' Beirne alongside. Lobb was near the back of the field with plenty of work to do.
 
When the start lights were extinguished to start the opening race Pither was immediately on the move, taking the lead as the field completed their second lap. Despite the return of the brake pad problems he had suffered earlier he was able to ease off to bring the ENZED Falcon home for his fourth successive win in the series. Two seconds behind him at the flag was Grace, the Christchurch driver continuing his impressive debut season on his first appearance at Pukekohe. Graham Beirne brought the John Jones Steel Falcon home in third after a great dice with Lobb who had come through the field. The 'Ginja Ninja' managed to get in front of 'Snr Burner' at one point but Beirne regained the position. They crossed the line virtually side by side with Beirne third and Lobb fourth.
 
The remainder of the field featured in a close race with Peter Robb fifth at the line ahead of Geoff Spencer, Mike Pero and Peter Ward. Bob Grove was next followed by James 'Huggi' Urquhart, Kernohan and Steve 'Rusty' Elliott.
 
Tomorrow will bring two more races for the NZV8 Utes as they form part of the programme at the 'Thunder In The Park'  round of the IRC Summer Of Thunder Tour at Pukekohe Park Raceway.
 
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.
 
Lindsay Beer
on behalf of NZV8 Utes
021 351 499
 
For more information please utilise the following:
www.nzv8uteracing.co.nz
Jamie Kett       Category Manager      jamie@nzv8uteracing.co.nz       027 443 0800

QUALIFYING
1 - Chris Pither (Ford): 2 - Caine Lobb (Holden); 3 - Bob Grove (Ford); 4 - Simon Grace (Holden); 5 - Peter Robb (Holden); 6 - Peter Ward (Holden) 7 - Graham Beirne (Ford); 8 - Geoff Spencer (Holden); 9 - James Urquhart (Holden); 10 - Mike Pero (Holden); 11 - David Kernohan (Ford); 12 - Steve Elliott (Holden);
RACE 1 (8 LAPS)
1 - Pither; 2 - Grace; 3 - Beirne; 4 - Lobb;  5 - Robb; 6 - Spencer; 7 - Pero; 8 - Ward; 9 - Grove; 10 - Urquhart; 11 - Kernohan;  12 - Elliott;     

POINTS (As at 5/12/09)
Pither - 234; Lobb - 194; Grace - 184; Robb - 164; Spencer - 161; Pero - 151; Beirne - 150; Kernohan - 150; Urquhart - 147; Grove - 133;  Elliott - 132; Ward - 52