Glen Collinson wins UDC V8 Utes title in Hampton Downs blockbuster

Photo credit: @dillonphotonz

After an intense 5-round season, Glen Collinson claimed the title in the UDC V8 Utes series. Close behind was Brad Kroef in 2nd with Greg Kroef third after some spirited racing in the final round at Hampton Downs. Yet this series decider not only resulted in close racing - it unearthed some exciting new talents after several newcomers made their mark in this tribal Ford vs Holden battle.

New to the series, karting & Super Sixers racer Brad Wenzlick topped Sunday morning’s qualifying ahead of Brad Kroef & Glen Collinson. But a gentleman’s agreement saw Brad Wenzlick opt to start Race One way back in 12th to allow the series leaders to scrap it out unhindered. But he didn’t remain there for long.

Cam Vernon however had a power steering issue and his qualifying session ended early in a puff of smoke. Fortunately Cam and his team rectified the issue in time for Race One.

Glen Collinson lined up on the grid in 2nd and managed to get around Brad Kroef coming into the first corner. But Brad Kroef wasn’t relenting. Lap after lap the dogfight continued with Brad Kroef ultimately hitting the front. Then around lap nine, Brad Wenzlick was looming large in their rear view mirrors in 3rd . At the chequered flag, just .6 seconds separated the front three, resulting in a close Kroef, Collinson Wenzlick 1-2-3 finish.

“I didn’t want to ruin it for them (Glen & Brad) up front,” Brad confessed after the race. “But if I had another lap I’d have given it a crack.” He said with a wry smile.

Greg Kroef was hampered by a misfire relegating him to 14th. But engineer Vince Gee promptly sorted the Heron Construction ute afterwards ensuring it was fully-fit for Race Two.

The day’s racing prior to Race Two had created a log jam in the points race with Daniel Ludlam, Phill Ross and Greg Kroef separated by just two points fighting for 3rd.  So the final reverse-grid, 60-minute enduro was to be the decider.

Jeremy Hunt and Greg Kroef started on the front row, but it wasn’t long before Brad Wenzlick, Brad Kroef and Glen Collinson began muscling their way up from the back of the field.

By late in the race, Glen Collinson was firmly in control, but just behind him drama was unfolding. Brad Wenzlick was the big surprise. He continued his clinical overtaking to finish Race Two a close 2nd . He even slid off into the sandpit along the way but recovered quickly and continued his way to the front. Brad Kroef was near the front for much of the race, but one of his tyres couldn’t keep up, forcing a pit stop late in the race.

The day’s racing not only capped off an outstanding series with a win for Glen Collinson, Brad Kroef 2nd while Greg Kroef secured the hotly-contested 3rd in the series. It also saw the biggest field of the season in action; a promising indicator that the UDC V8 Utes are growing from strength to strength.

	QUALIFYING	UTE	BEST LAP
1st	Brad Wenzlick	Ford	1.14.464
2nd	Brad Kroef	Ford	1.14.703
3rd	Glen Collinson	Ford	1.14.901
4th	Alex Fougere	Ford	1.16.074
5th	Simon Ussher	Ford	1.16.113
6th	Mitch Sparrow	Holden	1.16.153
7th	Paul Fougere	Holden	1.16.471
8th	Daniel Ludlam	Holden	1.16.596
9th	Phill Ross	Holden	1.16.609
10TH	Stu Monteith	Holden	1.17.009
11TH	Geoff Spencer	Holden	1.17.184
12TH	Tyler Ward	Holden	1.17.840
13TH	Jeremy Hunt	Holden	1.18.714
14TH	Greg Kroef	Ford	1.19.360
15TH	Dave Robb	Ford	1.21.650
16TH	Cam Vernon	Ford	No time

	RACE ONE	UTE	MARGIN
1st	Brad Kroef	Ford
2nd	Glen Collinson	Ford	+0.508
3rd	Brad Wenzlick	Ford	+0.655
4th	Alex Fougere	Ford	+5.885
5th	Simon Ussher	Ford	+6.516
6th	Mitch Sparrow	Holden	+7.745
7th	Daniel Ludlam	Holden	+14.466
8th	Stu Monteith	Holden	+15.501
9th	Tyler Ward	Holden	+17.392
10TH	Geoff Spencer	Holden	+23.347
11TH	Paul Fougere	Holden	+23.662
12TH	Phill Ross	Holden	+35.621
13TH	Jeremy Hunt	Holden	+37.695
14TH	Greg Kroef	Ford	+55.195
15TH	Dave Robb	Ford	+1.04.638
16TH	Cam Vernon	Ford	DNF

	RACE TWO	UTE	MARGIN
1st	Glen Collinson	Ford
2nd	Brad Wenzlick	Ford	+0.246
3rd	Greg Kroef	Ford	+9.426
4th	Mitch Sparrow	Holden	+10.069
5th	Daniel Ludlam	Holden	+17.009
6th	Paul Fougere	Holden	+17.203
7th	Alexx Fougere	Ford	+22.341
8th	Tyler Ward	Holden	+25.855
9th	Geoff Spencer	Holden	+39.432
10TH	Simon Ussher	Ford	+1 lap
11TH	Brad Kroef	Ford	+1 lap
12TH	Jeremy Hunt	Holden	+1 lap
13TH	Stu Monteith	Holden	+1 lap
14TH	Dave Robb	Ford	+1 lap
15TH	Phill Ross	Holden	DNF
16TH	Cam Vernon	Ford	DNF