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WAITE TAKES TIMARU IN UDC V8 UTES |
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Sunday, 22 January 2012 22:31 |
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Andrew 'DJ48' Waite bounced back from his troubled round at Teretonga just seven days ago to claim the spoils at Round 4 of the UDC V8 Ute Championship at Timaru International Motor Raceway this weekend. Waite's Valvoline/Hydraulink Falcon developed major engine problems at Teretonga and consequently the young Aucklander was forced into a borrowed vehicle at Timaru. However the change did little to blunt his championship challenge as he won his third round of the four held to date. Fellow Aucklander Mike 'Buzz' Lightfoot was second for the round after another excellent showing while Geoff 'SOS' Spencer of Palmerston North backed up his first ever UDC V8 Ute race win on Saturday with third place overall.
All three races were tense affairs and for the second weekend in succession the category produced three different race winners.
Spencer won Saturdays race, his first in over eighty starts in the class, after he fended off an intense attack from Waite with Lightfoot third.
The second race of the round on Sunday morning took place on a wet track with Lightfoot on pole and Peter 'Rocketman' Robb alongside. While the class has a reputation for ferocious racing everyone was on their best behaviour in the difficult conditions that had claimed several victims in earlier races. Robb led early in the Hill Country Helicopters Holden until both Lightfoot and Chris 'Hammer Time' Hanley, who relishes the wet, got by on lap two. While they pulled away Robb held off Waite until lap 6. Lightfoot and Hanley produced a stirring battle similar to the one between Spencer and Waite the day before, Lightfoot hanging on to notch his second race victory in as many weeks. Waite was third with Peter 'Kaos' Ward snatching fourth from Robb near the end with James 'Huggi' Urquhart sixth.
Lightfoot said conditions were the worst he had ever encountered, particularly at the sweeper onto the front straight. 'The car sledges and then bites. It's scary. I am almost forgetting to breathe. You just never know if you are going to stay on track." Many others reiterated those comments including Waite. "I had a massive moment there once in a Toyota Racing Series car. The corner scares me!"
The finale saw Waite on pole with Lightfoot next to him. On a track that was now dry It was Lightfoot who got away best. He led until the third lap when Waite blasted past. Spencer followed him through although Lightfoot repassed him the next time around. That was the order at the finish, Waite winning from Lightfoot who withstood a lunge by Spencer right on the line. However Lightfoot received a 5 second penalty for a false start which dropped him to fifth, promoting Spencer, Ward and Hanley ahead of him.
Waite was "very happy" but admitted it had not been plain sailing. "I had an engine miss from about 3/4 distance in the last race and just wanted to bring it home. When that happened a win was not at the top of the priority list." Understandably Lightfoot too was pleased. He praised his crew - Wayne, Kev and Dan. "The BSL Buckley Systems Falcon performed brilliantly. I'm over the moon." Spencer took third on a circuit considered to better suit the Fords. "I'm glad I could foot it with those guys. This week in, week out racing has got us in the groove. It's like a coming of age. Once you get these utes within a window they are good to drive. It's a good class to be in."
The UDC V8 Ute Championship now returns to the North Island where Round 5 will take place at Manfeild Park in Feilding from 10-12 February.
Support for the V8 Ute category comes from UDC Finance, Armorall, Xtreme Race Clutches, Nulon Oils, Radio Hauraki, Yokohama, Woodstock, BMC Air Filters, SCT, EFILive, Holden, Ford and Espresso Cafe.
For further information visit the series website - www.v8utes.co.nz or contact Craig Lord (Brand and Communications Manager) - Ph 0272 734 156/email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lindsay Beer
03 217 4288
021 351 499
SERIES POINTS (AFTER ROUND 4)
A Waite - 1018; C Hanley - 940; M Lightfoot - 888; P Ward - 814; G Spencer - 767; D Stewart - 644; J Urquhart - 634; S McKelvie - 603; D Kernohan - 586; B Rudd - 575; J Kernohan - 555; P Robb - 422; S Taylor - 180; H Gardiner - 146; G Beirne - 120;
Photograph - Round winner Andrew 'DJ48' Waite in his Valvoline/Hydraulink Falcon races door to door with Peter 'Kaos' Ward in the Ward Demolition Holden during the action at Round 4 of the UDC V8 Ute Championship at Timaru International Motor Raceway today - please credit Geoff Ridder
QUALIFYING
1st: Andrew Waite (Auckland) Ford - 1.13.525 seconds
2nd: Mike Lightfoot (Auckland) Ford - 1.13.863
3rd: Geoff Spencer (Palmerston North) Holden - 1.14.361
4th: Chris Hanley (Auckland) Holden - 1 14.378
5th: Peter Ward (Auckland) Holden - 1 14.451
6th: Scott McKelvie (Auckland) Holden - 1.14.562
7th: James Urquhart (Karaka) Holden - 1.14.667
8th: Dave Stewart (Wellington) Holden - 1.14.723
9th: David Kernohan (Turangi) Ford - 1.14.963
10th: Jeff Kernohan (Turangi) Ford - 1.15.384
11th: Brett Rudd (Auckland) Holden - 1.15.853
12th: Peter Robb (Wanganui) Holden - 1.16.113
RACE 1 - 8 LAPS (MARBLE DRAW GRID)
1st: Geoff Spencer
2nd: Andrew Waite
3rd: Mike Lightfoot
4th: Jeff Kernohan
5th: Scott McKelvie
6th: Chris Hanley
7th: David Kernohan
8th: James Urquhart
9th: Peter Ward
10th: Brett Rudd
11th: Peter Robb
12th: Dave Stewart
RACE 2 - 8 LAPS (REVERSE MARBLE DRAW GRID)
1st: Mike Lightfoot
2nd: Chris Hanley
3rd: Andrew Waite
4th: Peter Ward
5th: Peter Robb
6th: James Urquhart
7th: Dave Stewart
8th: Geoff Spencer
9th: Jeff Kernohan
10th: David Kernohan
11th: Brett Rudd
12th: Scott McKelvie
RACE 3 - 12 LAPS (GRID BASED ON ROUND POINTS)
1st: Andrew Waite
2nd: Geoff Spencer
3rd: Peter Ward
4th: Chris Hanley
5th: Mike Lightfoot
6th: Dave Stewart
7th: James Urquhart
8th: Jeff Kernohan
9th: Brett Rudd
10th: Scott McKelvie
11th: Peter Robb
12th: David Kernohan
2011/2012 UDC V8 UTE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 1 - 4-6 November 2011: Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland
Round 2 - 9-11 December 2011: Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch
Round 3 - 13-15 January 2012: Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 4 - 20-22 January 2012: Timaru International Motor Raceway, Timaru
Round 5 - 10-12 February 2012: Manfeild Park, Feilding
Round 6 - 9-11 March 2012: Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo
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WISE HEADS PREVAILING IN UDC V8 UTE CHAMPIONSHIP |
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Thursday, 19 January 2012 21:04 |
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A couple of wise heads are having a lot of influence in this seasons UDC V8 Ute Championship as the category prepares for its next stoush at Timaru International Motor Raceway this weekend.
Father and son Kirk and Jake Stoneman have varying degrees of involvement with the first four utes in the point standings of the championship after three rounds. The Western Motor Group team crew for championship leader Andrew 'DJ48' Waite in the Valvoline/Hydraulink Falcon, have carried out work on the PB Technologies Holden of second placed Chris 'Hammer Time' Hanley and are assisting and mentoring third and fourth placed Mike 'Buzz' Lightfoot (BSL Buckley Systems Falcon) and Peter 'Kaos' Ward (Ward Demolition Holden).
The Stonemans have a wealth of experience and success in motor racing themselves and are passing that knowledge on with great results. Previously they have guided Matt Lockwood to a V8 Ute title and Chris Pither to two as well as helping Pither to an Australian V8 Ute title last year.
Most notable this year is how much their presence has added to Lightfoot and Ward's campaigns. Both drivers took their maiden race wins at Teretonga Park and are the only drivers aside from Waite and Hanley to grace the top step of the podium this season. Both are enjoying their best ever season in the category and it is no coincidence that they have now broken into the winners circle and sit where they do in the championship.
Lightfoot is going great guns this season and he credits Jake Stoneman for much of this. 'I'm 47 years old and I am pretty proud of what I have achieved this season. My driving style has changed under Jakes influence. He talks to me before every race and my engineer gives me comments via Jake during a race. I think the fact he has taken Chris Pither to both the New Zealand and Australian titles says a lot about the guy."
Ward also attributes much of his success to Kirks input. "I call him the car whisperer." "They (the Stonemans) have given me a car I can drive. I have always had a good solid mechanical package but they have given me something I can drive and turn. They are very clever. They give me little tips like at Teretonga they were telling me where to start and to stay off the white lines - that type of thing. When I was chasing Geoff (Spencer) at Teretonga they were telling me to calm down. They will cast an eye and help anyone in the right direction."
Kirk Stoneman has been involved in motorsport for 35 years and says Jake was brought up to it. "Jake could jump in one of these and be a frontrunner and he can engineer them as well. That is rare. We also have an understanding of suspension, the importance of which is not always appreciated. Basically we are just passing on the things we have learnt the hard way."
Hanley won the round at Teretonga last weekend while Lightfoot and Ward both took their maiden race wins. The result means Hanley has closed to within 21 points of championship leader Waite as the two young guns of the category come to Timaru. The one disadvantage Hanley has this weekend is that he has never competed at Timaru before - a mishap on a Queenstown adventure activity ended his season prior to the South Canterbury round last season.
Support for the V8 Ute category comes from UDC Finance, Armorall, Xtreme Race Clutches, Nulon Oils, Radio Hauraki, Yokohama, Woodstock, BMC Air Filters, SCT and EFILive.
For further information visit the series website - www.v8utes.co.nz or contact Craig Lord (Brand and Communications Manager) - Ph 0272 734 156/email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lindsay Beer
03 217 4288
021 351 499
Photograph - Round winner Chris 'Hammer Time' Hanley of Auckland leads the second and third placegetters from Round 3 of the UDC V8 Ute Championship Peter 'Kaos' Ward and Mike "Buzz' Lightfoot at Teretonga Park in Invercargill - please credit Geoff Ridder
SERIES POINTS (AFTER ROUND 3)
A Waite - 741; C Hanley - 720; M Lightfoot - 637; P Ward - 615; G Spencer - 526; D Stewart - 490; J Urquhart - 466; S McKelvie - 448; D Kernohan - 447; B Rudd - 446; J Kernohan - 393; P Robb - 285; S Taylor - 180; H Gardiner - 146; G Beirne - 120;
2011/2012 UDC V8 UTE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 1 - 4-6 November 2011: Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland
Round 2 - 9-11 December 2011: Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch
Round 3 - 13-15 January 2012: Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 4 - 20-22 January 2012: Timaru International Motor Raceway, Timaru
Round 5 - 10-12 February 2012: Manfeild Park, Feilding
Round 6 - 9-11 March 2012: Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo
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UDC V8 UTE CHAMPIONSHIP CLOSES UP |
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Sunday, 15 January 2012 00:00 |
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It is all on in the UDC V8 Ute Championship after a weekend of exciting action and changing fortunes at Teretonga Park in Invercargill.
The southernmost round of the championship produced three different winners and saw the points margin of championship leader Andrew 'DJ48' Waite slashed from 94 points to a mere 21.
Chris 'Hammer Time' Hanley of Auckland won the round after qualifying fastest and then carding a fifth, a second and then a race win in his PB Technologies Holden in a variety of trying conditions. Fellow race winners Peter 'Kaos' Ward and Mike 'Buzz' Lightfoot, also of Auckland, were second and third overall for the weekend respectively.
Ward and Lightfoot were both first time race winners in the championship while Hanley scored a breakthrough round victory in a weekend that produced some fantastic racing.
While the top three exponents of the weekend had a lot to celebrate, for championship leader Waite the weekend was a disaster. A serious engine problem developed in the Valvoline/Hydraulink Falcon on Sunday and he cruised at the rear of the field all day to collect points to minimise the harm to his championship prospects.
Hanley was "rapt" with his first ever round win. "I seemed to have an advantage in the wet conditions. I struggled in the dry. It has been a good weekend. We have made a huge gain in the championship." Ward described a round that contained his first race win and best ever round result as "awesome." "I love the wet," he said after qualifying fourth and recording race results of seventh, first and second in his Ward Demolition Holden.
Lightfoot was happy with third place overall, citing the second race where he came from twelfth on the grid to third as a highlight along with his first race win. "The BSL Buckley Systems Falcon is unscathed and unmarked. Best of all I have created a gap back to the fourth placed runner in the championship. I owe a big thanks to the Stoneman boys and my crew."
Meanwhile Waite said "that is the bad one out of the way. I was able to build a big lead at the first two rounds so we will work to do it again."
Lightfoot won the opening race of the round on Saturday afternoon in the dry after an exciting battle with Wellington driver Dave 'The Boss' Stewart who finished second with Waite of Auckland, third.
Both of Sundays races were held in wet conditions. The first saw a great battle at the front of the field between Geoff 'SOS' Spencer of Palmerston North, Ward and Stewart while Hanley and Lightfoot were carving their way through the field from the back. With the chequered flag in sight Spencer speared off at the elbow while Stewart went off near the end of the race as well. That left Ward, on the occasion of his 80th start, to take his first victory
from Hanley, Lightfoot and impressive rookie Brett 'The Scud' Rudd of Manakau City who pointed out, "the wet suits my driving style." Had Spencer held on it would have been his maiden victory. "I lived up to my nickname - 'SOS - Silly Old Spence,' he said.
The finale was again held in wet conditions and proved to be another cracker. Hanley, Ward and Lightfoot ran at the front of the field all the way. Behind them there was a huge battle as the bulk of the field fought it out, Spencer eventually prevailing from a train of cars.
The UDC V8 Ute Championship continues at Timaru International Motor Raceway next weekend and after this weekends action it will be keenly anticipated.
Support for the V8 Ute category comes from UDC Finance, Armorall, Xtreme Race Clutches, Nulon Oils, Radio Hauraki, Yokohama, Woodstock, BMC Air Filters, SCT and EFILive.
For further information visit the series website - www.v8utes.co.nz or contact Craig Lord (Brand and Communications Manager) - Ph 0272 734 156/email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lindsay Beer
03 217 4288
021 351 499
Photograph - Round winner Chris 'Hammer Time' Hanley of Auckland leads the second and third placegetters from Round 3 of the UDC V8 Ute Championship Peter 'Kaos' Ward and Mike "Buzz' Lightfoot at Teretonga Park in Invercargill - please credit Geoff Ridder
SERIES POINTS (AFTER ROUND 3)
A Waite - 741; C Hanley - 720; M Lightfoot - 637; P Ward - 615; G Spencer - 526; D Stewart - 490; J Urquhart - 466; S McKelvie - 448; D Kernohan - 447; B Rudd - 446; J Kernohan - 393; P Robb - 285; S Taylor - 180; H Gardiner - 146; G Beirne - 120;
QUALIFYING
1st: Chris Hanley (Auckland) Holden - 1minute 19.071 seconds
2nd: Andrew Waite (Auckland) Ford - 1.19.220
3rd: Scott McKelvie (Auckland) Holden - 1.19.401
4th: Peter Ward (Auckland) Holden - 1.19.754
5th: Dave Stewart (Wellington) Holden - 1.20.304
6th: Brett Rudd (Auckland) Holden - 1.20.318
7th: James Urquhart (Karaka) Holden - 1.20.806
8th: Mike Lightfoot (Auckland) Ford - 1.20.885
9th: David Kernohan (Turangi) Ford - 1.21.201
10th: Geoff Spencer (Palmerston North) Holden - 1.21.356
11th: Jeff Kernohan (Turangi) Ford - 1.21.865
12th: Peter Robb (Wanganui) Holden - 1.22.718
RACE 1 - 8 LAPS (MARBLE DRAW GRID)
1st: Mike Lightfoot
2nd: Dave Stewart
3rd: Andrew Waite
4th: James Urquhart
5th: Chris Hanley
6th: Geoff Spencer
7th: Peter Ward
8th: Brett Rudd
9th: David Kernohan
10th: Peter Robb
11th: Jeff Kernohan
12th: Scott McKelvie
RACE 2 - 8 LAPS (REVERSE MARBLE DRAW GRID)
1st: Peter Ward
2nd: Chris Hanley
3rd: Mike Lightfoot
4th: Brett Rudd
5th: Jeff Kernohan
6th: James Urquhart
7th: David Kernohan
8th: Scott McKelvie
9th: Peter Robb
10th: Andrew Waite
DNF: Dave Stewart
DNF: Geoff Spencer
RACE 3 - 12 LAPS (GRID BASED ON ROUND POINTS)
1st: Chris Hanley
2nd: Peter Ward
3rd: Mike Lightfoot
4th: Geoff Spencer
5th: James Urquhart
6th: Brett Rudd
7th: David Kernohan
8th: Scott McKelvie
9th: Peter Robb
10th: Jeff Kernohan
11th: Andrew Waite
12th: Dave Stewart
2011/2012 UDC V8 UTE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 1 - 4-6 November 2011: Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland
Round 2 - 9-11 December 2011: Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch
Round 3 - 13-15 January 2012: Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 4 - 20-22 January 2012: Timaru International Motor Raceway, Timaru
Round 5 - 10-12 February 2012: Manfeild Park, Feilding
Round 6 - 9-11 March 2012: Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo
Round 7 - 20-22 April 2012: Hamilton Street Circuit, Hamilton
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WAITE A HUNTED MAN IN UDC V8 UTE CHAMPIONSHIP |
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Friday, 13 January 2012 00:00 |
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Auckland driver Andrew 'DJ48' Waite will be a hunted man as the next rounds of the UDC V8 Ute Championship are fought out over the next two weekends in the south of the South Island.
The highly charged field will be gunning for championship leader Waite as they battle it out in Round 3 of their series at Teretonga Park near Invercargill this weekend before a very short turnaround to Round 4 at Timaru International Motor Raceway the following weekend.
Waite has a healthy points lead as he ventures south but his good friend and rival, fellow Aucklander Chris Hanley, has matched his number of race wins. Both have won three each, the only two drivers to stand atop the podium. While Waite has backed up his wins with solid placings Hanley has not been so lucky amid the hurly burly of UDC V8 Ute action and the trench warfare in the pack has cost him dearly on several occasions.
The two mates will resume battle at Teretonga this weekend. Waite in his Valvoline/Hydraulink Falcon and Hanley in his PB Technologies Holden will be going all out for victory, but the UDC V8 Ute Championship is not that clearcut. Behind them are a bunch of desperate drivers all keen to knock them over to advance their own championship claims.
Mike 'Buzz' Lightfoot is on fire at the moment, third in the points in his BSL Buckley Systems Falcon, while fourth placed Geoff 'SOS' Spencer of Palmerston North so often stays clear of the inevitable 'biff' in his TWL/The Barn Company Holden. Another Aucklander, Peter 'Kaos' Ward, is a hard charger in his Ward Demolition Holden as is fellow Holden driver Dave 'The Boss' Stewart of Wellington and they will never die wondering. Father and son 'Dirty Dave' and Jeff 'Ripples' Kernohan of Turangi manage to produce good results while James 'Huggi' Urquhart of Karaka has been strong but without luck in his Mitre 10 Trade Holden. Last years Rookie Of The Year Scott 'Precious' McKelvie has had a horror start to the season in his ICOM Holden and simply must make up ground at Teretonga. Meanwhile the man who may well become the Rookie Of The Year this season, Brett 'The Skud' Rudd of Manukau City, continues to compile good results in his Pallet Supplies Holden.
A format of marble draw and reverse grids make racing in this championship some of the most exciting on the New Zealand motorsport scene as drivers do what it takes to battle their way through traffic.
Support for the V8 Ute category comes from UDC Finance, Armorall, Xtreme Race Clutches, Nulon Oils, Radio Hauraki, Yokohama, Woodstock, BMC Air Filters, SCT and EFILive.
For further information visit the series website - www.v8utes.co.nz or contact Craig Lord (Brand and Communications Manager) - Ph 0272 734 156/email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lindsay Beer
03 217 4288
021 351 499
Photograph - Round winner and UDC V8 Ute Championship leader Andrew 'DJ48' Waite of Auckland leads the train in the Hydraulink/Valvoline Falcon at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna in Christchurch - please credit - Geoff Ridder
SERIES POINTS (AFTER ROUND 2)
A Waite - 548; C Hanley - 454; M Lightfoot - 403; G Spencer - 394; P Ward - 377; D Stewart - 346; D Kernohan - 288; J Urquhart - 288;
S McKelvie - 279; B Rudd - 263; J Kernohan - 251; S Taylor - 180; P Robb - 149; H Gardiner - 146; G Beirne - 120;
2011/2012 UDC V8 UTE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 1 - 4-6 November 2011: Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland
Round 2 - 9-11 December 2011: Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch
Round 3 - 13-15 January 2012: Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 4 - 20-22 January 2012: Timaru International Motor Raceway, Timaru
Round 5 - 10-12 February 2012: Manfeild Park, Feilding
Round 6 - 9-11 March 2012: Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo
Round 7 - 20-22 April 2012: Hamilton Street Circuit, Hamilton
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Last Updated on Sunday, 15 January 2012 21:02 |
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