Chris 'Hammer Time' Hanley lived up to his nickname as he hammered the opposition in the opening race at Round 2 of the UDC V8 Ute Championship at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway in Christchurch today.

Aucklander Hanley scored a comfortable win over Palmerston North driver Geoff 'SOS' Spencer with another Aucklander Andrew 'DJ48' Waite third after battling his way from sixth on the grid.

Debutant Hugh 'Ace' Gardiner of Blenheim had set the fastest time in qualifying this morning while Waite was second fastest ahead of Hanley. However the grid order after the marble draw saw Hanley on pole with Spencer alongside. Peter 'Kaos' Ward of Auckland was on the second row while Waite was sixth with Gardiner behind in eighth. Hanley took the lead from Spencer at the off and they enjoyed a serene run to the flag while trench warfare erupted behind them. Gardiner was shuffled back in the early skirmishes while Ward, Dave 'The Boss' Stewart of Wellington and Waite settled into battle with Gardiner joining in the fun after recovering from his 'introductory' V8 Ute racing lap.

Waite eventually decided to use the hairpin to dispense with his rivals, going around the outside of Stewart on lap 5 and down the inside of Ward a lap later. However Hanley and Spencer were gone and third was his lot.

Hanley was elated after taking his PB Technologies Holden to victory. He has now won three of the first four races in the championship. Spencer celebrated his 80th (race start) with second in the TWL/The Barn Company Holden. "I kept a wee eye in the mirror. I must remember to thank Kaos," he said of Ward who kept the chasers at bay. Only twice in his eighty starts has Spencer failed to finish and his fellow drivers presented him with a cake to mark the milestone.

Waite said it was hard work getting through the traffic in his Hydraulink/Valvoline Falcon. "I have to remember I've got guards around me now," joked the former open wheeler star.

After an impressive start to the round Hugh 'Ace' Gardiner discovered the "racing culture" of UDC V8 Ute racing in the Protecta Insurance Falcon today. "The gloves are off," he said after receiving a hit that ended his race on the final lap. Other casualties were James 'Huggi' Urquhart of Karaka who had to pit his Mitre 10 Trade Holden after some 'biff' while Scott 'Precious' McKelvie of Auckland struggled after a rim was damaged on his ICOM Holden after more 'rubbing'.

Mike 'Buzz' Lightfoot of Auckland took the fastest lap as he scorched from last on the grid to sixth in the BSL Buckley Systems Falcon.

A reverse marble grid race will kick off tomorrows action for the category followed by the finale tomorrow afternoon.