Rhys McNally Storms to V8 Ute Bathurst Victory

Perth based Rhys “Stormin” McNally claimed his first Bathurst win, taking out Race 1 at Round 6 of the 2014 Australian V8 Ute Racing Series – fuelled by Hogs Breath Café at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Mount Panorama, Saturday, 11 October.

McNally’s Holden started on the front row, alongside teammate David Sieders. The Stratco Holden grabbed the lead by the first turn and despite a wild slide through McPhillamy Park with all 4 wheels in the dirt, held it together to claim his first win for the year.

“It was great, a Sieders Racing one/ two starting off the front is pretty awesome, it’s a shame Dave couldn’t hang in for second but I’m really happy for the team. They’ve worked hard all year and full credit to Luke, Brad and all the Sieders racing guys. It’s been a massive effort, it’s taken us all year and what better place than Bathurst to get our first win,” said McNally

With mounting pressure from Ryal Harris, Sieders looked like he’d hold second for the race, however Harris locked up going into the Chase, turning Sieders’ Sterling Automotive Ford around, this gave Series leader Kris Walton a chance to fly into second, also setting a new lap record in a time of 2:31290. Although apologetic, Harris was penalised 15 positions for the incident, while Sieders managed to recover and come home eighth overall however losing valuable championship points.

“It’s very disappointing but we’ve got two more races to go, anything can happen and usually does, so we just need to keep looking forward and not give up,” said an optimistic Sieders.

Ryan Hansford avoided drama and drove well to come home in third ahead of Harris who also returned to the track claiming fourth.

GoPro Racer Nathan Pretty celebrated his 100th Race, finishing just behind Dixon’s Hayman Reese Holden in 6th.

George Miedecke and Elliot Barbour put on some spectacular racing, Miedecke came home 7th in the race, one of his better results this season following an engine change yesterday. Barbour’s Just Car Insurance Holden finished 8th and will start from the front row for Race 2 for the top 8 inverted grid.

Jeremy Gray did well to round out the top ten, fending off teammate Andrew Fisher in 11th.

Auto One’s Adam Marjoram was lucky to finish up 12th, after a coming together with Gerard McLeod’s Macmahon Mining Holden early in the race. McLeod moved across on Marjoram going up Mountain Straight, ending up in the wall and out for the rest of the weekend.

“The car is going back to Melbourne; it has significant damage, so we are out for the weekend. We’ll go back, re-group and have a good run at the Gold Coast,” said McLeod.

Allan Letcher had mechanical issues in the final lap of the race retiring in the pits.
Craig Dontas and Sam Barry received a 5 second penalty for a jumped start.

The top 8 will be reversed for Race 2, which will put Sieders on pole with Elliot Barbour on the front row, with series rival Walton’s Rentco Ford back in 7th on the grid.

The V8 Utes will be back on track at 4:30pm later today for Race 2, which will also be televised LIVE on Network Seven. Race 3 tomorrow will decide the round winner and will also be televised LIVE at 8:20am (check local guides).
 See below top ten results from Race 1
 

1	26 STRATCO Racing	Rhys McNally	Holden VE	2:31.3504r
2	68 Rentco Transport Equipment Rentals	Kris Walton	Ford FG	2:31.2907R
3	6 Multispares	Ryan Hansford	Ford FG	2:31.8761r
4	1 All Purpose Pest Racing	Ryal Harris	Ford FG	2:31.6723r
5	9 Hayman Reese Racing	Jesse Dixon	Holden VE	2:32.5225r
6	56 GoPro Racing	Nathan Pretty	Holden VE	2:32.6877r
7	88 iSeek Racing/Wake Up	George Miedecke	Holden VE	2:32.8299r
8	57 Just Car Insurance	Elliot Barbour	Holden VE	2:32.2135r
9	8 Sterling Automotive Equipment	David Sieders	Ford FG	2:31.9557r
10	67 JMG Racing/IXL	Jeremy Gray	Ford FG	2:32.5059r

Click here to download full results from Race 1