David Sieders admits he is in for a tough battle against the season’s star performer, Kris Walton, heading into the Bathurst round of the V8 Ute Racing Series.

Sieders is searching for consecutive Bathurst round wins, but concedes that Walton’s form is cause for concern, with the latter sitting on 623 points to Sieiders’ 584.

The enviable record of having clinched podium positions every year he has raced at the mountain track since 2010 will be tough for Sieders to keep intact.

Sieders managed to take the lead in the series following his victory at Bathurst last year although repeating that will rely on Walton having a rare below par round.

“It would be ideal if we could do that, but the way Kris has shattered his own records at his bad tracks, he is on fire,” Sieders said.

“If we do what we’ve done in the past and get no worse than second, then hopefully he might falter sometime and we might be able to grab the lead.”

Nathan Pretty, third in points on 506, dropped from the points lead at Bathurst last year but is hoping his 100th start next week will be cause for celebration.

“I didn’t realise I had done so many Ute races. To celebrate at Bathurst will be awesome,” Pretty said.

“I’ve raced there many times over the years and let’s hope I can come away with a win.”

Two-time V8 Ute series winner Ryal Harris moved up the leaderboard after a strong performance at Sandown when he claiming the round win.

Harris is fifth, one place behind Jesse Dixon, as he looks forward to a crammed weekend after being confirmed in the Matt Stone Racing Falcon for the Dunlop Development Series 250.

The V8 Ute Racing Series joins the Dunlop Series, Carrera Cup Australia and Aussie Racing Cars on the Bathurst support program.

V8 Utes Bathurst schedule