David Sieders takes Utes lead

David Sieders is the new series leader in the Auto One V8 Utes – Protected By Armor All after taking out Round 6 at Mount Panorama.

It was Kim Jane, however, who collected line honours in the final race of the weekend in a lights-to-flag effort, despite the close attention of first Stephen White and then Sieders.

Jane was fastest away from the front row and managed to keep White at bay until the Erebus Commodore driver, at that stage on track for the round win, ran straight on and clouted the Forrest’s Elbow wall on Lap 5.

While Jane was afforded temporary respite, he soon had Sieders all over the rear of the Bob Jane T-Marts machine but managed to hold on to win by barely two tenths of a second.

Despite the previous series leader being well back, Sieders was in no mood to play conservatively.

Earlier, he executed a heart-stopping pass of Ryan Hansford around the outside of The Chase’s right-hand sweep to take second on Lap 5, perhaps motivated by the double-waved yellows for the stricken Warren Millett at the left-hander.

“Happy’s an understatement,” enthused Sieders of the series lead change.

“Hopefully I can remain as strong as I have been over the last two events.

“I’ve been on the podium at both tracks we’re going to a couple of times now, so I think I should be strong there.”

Hansford remained in third to finish runner-up for the round, from Jane.

Nathan Pretty’s title aspirations took yet another hit – literally and metaphorically – when he was forced to pit for a new tyre after being caught in a first corner melee, and ultimately finished the race in 20th.

Jesse Dixon, who had been enjoying a fruitful weekend to that point, was an even bigger victim, failing to finish having been tagged by Craig Dontas then unhelpfully ‘straightened up’ by Kris Walton, who had nowhere to go with the Hayman Reese Commodore in his path.

The V8 Utes series continues with Round 7 at the Armor All Gold Coast 600 in a fortnight.

Full results Race 3