Post Event Penalty For V8 Ute Series Leader

After a post-podium hearing ENZED Drivers Championship Leader Ryal Harris was penalised 26 seconds in Race Two for contact with Gerard McLeod’s Macmahon Mining’s Holden, moving West Aussie Rhys McNally into third overall for Round Five of the 2013 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by ARMOR ALL. 

Stratco Racing’s McNally was pleased with the extra points and although claiming Race Two he was disappointed with his Race Three results, where he started alongside Nathan Pretty on the front row and after a brilliant start locked up into turn one, forcing his Holden off the track and back seven positions, handing Pretty the lead. 

“Obviously after Race Three I wanted to shoot myself, I was really disappointed with the last race. My win on Sunday morning was good, and we still scored some good points, which is key for the championship. We need to make every round count now so there will be a lot of pressure coming into the final rounds, we have to make sure don’t stuff up or make a mistake,” he said. 

The 23-year old is looking forward to the remaining rounds, especially Bathurst. 

“The last three rounds are my more favourable tracks, I was fast last year at Bathurst but I struggled with the drive, I’ll hopefully have time to get a test day in before Bathurst, I definitely have more confidence now, here (Sandown Raceway) we were relatively quick but I still need more time in the car,” said McNally.

McNally is now only 15 points behind third placed David Sieders in the ENZED Drivers Championship. Round winner Nathan Pretty has moved into second only 11 points behind Harris who is still leading the series. 

The drivers will head to the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama for Round six of the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by ARMOR ALL – from October 10-13. Tickets are still available for the big race – the V8 Utes are just one of a number of categories supporting the V8 Supercars.