Rhys McNally has claimed a maiden round victory after another race win in Round Six of the Australian V8 Ute Racing Series – Fuelled by Hog’s Breath Café at Bathurst.
While McNally enjoyed a career first, Kris Walton extended his series lead as David Sieders failed to finish.
McNally beat fellow front-row starter Nathan Pretty out of the first corner and pulled clear of the argy-bargy which ensued behind.
“It’s an incredible feeling to finally get my first round win in the V8 Ute Series,” McNally said.
“It’s definitely been a long time coming. We made a good start in the race and from there we could pull away, putting down consistent lap times which is a great feeling.”
Pretty was first to strike trouble when tipped off at the end of Lap 1 by Ryan Hansford, who had bought into George Miedecke’s challenge to the Race 2 winner.
Sieders scattered an angry pack when he slid off Forrest’s Elbow on Lap 4, coming together with Elliot Barbour and Ryal Harris at The Chase.
While Harris saved a big slide, he limped home to tenth, with Pretty 15th and Sieders and Hansford non-finishers.
Miedecke and Jesse Dixon completed the race podium ahead of Kris Walton, who reset the lap record on the final lap.
The V8 Utes’ penultimate round will be held at the Castrol Edge Gold Coast 600 from October 24-26.
Touring Car Masters
Greg Crick won Race 3 on his way to taking out the Mountain Masters round as series leader John Bowe blew a tyre and finished well down the order.
Crick, starting from pole by virtue of the earlier race results, took an early lead before conceding top spot to Bowe on Lap 2.
The Charger driver led again by lap’s end when Bowe blew a tyre into The Chase, necessitating a long pit stop for the Mustang
Crick made the best of his fellow Tasmanian’s misfortune to drive on to a comfortable race win.
It was his second in as many meetings and his first round win since returning in August after suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning in the Bathurst 12 Hour in February.
“It’s a big breakthrough after my illness after the [Bathurst] 12 Hour, being told I would never race again,” said Crick.
“We couldn’t be happier if we won the Bathurst 1000 today.”
Kim Jane passed Jim Richards for second into The Chase on the final lap after stalking car #1 for much of the race, while Bowe finished two laps down in 23rd and fellow title contender Andrew Miedecke failed to take the start after damage the day prior.
The TCM concludes its 2014 season with the Southern 90 at Phillip Island from November 14-16.
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