Auto One V8 Utes Series front-runner Ryal Harris says that winning races will be the only way to take this year's title.
Harris currently sits second in the popular V8 Utes ladder, just eight points behind the ever-consistent Chris Pither.
The eight point gap, though, might be extended to 18 if an appeal against a Race 2 accident is turned down.
Harris dominated proceedings at the Armor All Gold Coast 600 last weekend, narrowing the title gap to Pither and ensuring the final two rounds at Sandown and Sydney will be closely fought.
After qualifying on pole and taking all three wins – including the reverse grid heat, Harris says that his success on the Surfers streets has put him on the front foot – but he'll need to keep winning.
“Taking maximum points is always my goal, but it's so hard to do it in V8 Utes with the second race reverse grid,” Harris said.
“But we're on a roll now. It's a great feeling when you can run at the front in every qualifying session and every race.
“We need to keep the momentum going at Sandown and Homebush to have a chance of winning the series, though. Chris has been incredibly consistent as well as quick, so unless he has a bad round it will be a struggle to overcome our zero result in the second race at Townsville.”
The next event on the V8 Utes calendar is at Sandown International Raceway on November 18-20.
See below for V8 Utes points after six of eight rounds.
Pos | Name | Car | Team | Points |
1 | Chris Pither | 42 | Ice Break Racing | 728 |
2 | Ryal Harris | 58 | VIP Petfoods | 710 |
3 | David Sieders | 8 | Australia Industrial Supplies Racing | 681 |
4 | Nathan Pretty | 56 | Monster Energy | 664 |
5 | Grant Johnson | 1 | Core Staff/Holiday Inn | 663 |
6 | Kim Jane | 27 | Bob Jane T-Mart | 575 |
7 | Jack Elsegood | 11 | Coopers Clear Racing | 572 |
8 | Cameron McConville | 61 | Bundaberg Racing | 568 |
9 | Ryan Hansford | 6 | Truckline Racing | 559 |
10 | Craig Dontas | 22 | Thirsty Camel Racing | 539 |
11 | Gary Baxter | 3 | Sage Automation/ Roof Seal | 515 |
12 | Charlie O'Brien | 15 | Rentco | 510 |
13 | Andrew Fisher | 9 | Jesus Racing | 491 |
14 | Rhys McNally | 26 | Stratco Racing | 414 |
15 | Brad Patton | 14 | VIP Petfoods | 388 |
16 | Ben Kavich | 23 | Workhorse Truck Collision Repairs | 385 |
17 | Ben Dunn | 99 | Red Ass Mexican Food/ BP Botany | 384 |
18 | Jeremy Gray | 7 | Tinkler Motorsports | 333 |
19 | Nandi Kiss | 24 | Eagle Pro Racing | 313 |
20 | Warren Millett | 88 | Wake-Up Backpackers Racing | 293 |
21 | George Elliot | 55 | Vittoria Coffee/DIC Australia | 254 |
22 | Peter Burnitt | 4 | CNW Electrical/Kanga Racing | 239 |
23 | Greg Willis | 44 | Only Juice Racing | 236 |
24 | Graham Edwards | 30 | Fightweb.com.au | 200 |
25 | Gary Carson | 13 | GO! Channel | 193 |
26 | Jason Gomersall | 37 | iseek Racing | 189 |
27 | Jake McNally | 92 | West Coast Racing | 176 |
28 | Rick Gill | 51 | Rick Gill Motorcycles | 170 |
29 | Brendan Cook | 25 | Transquip Hire/ECR Group | 148 |
30 | Allan Letcher | 21 | Revolution Roofing | 118 |
31 | Dean Canto | 10 | Auto One Wildcard | 98 |
32 | Noel Edge | 2 | SEW – Eurodrive Racing | 97 |
33 | Tim Blanchard | 18 | Auto One Wildcard | 94 |
34 | Marcus Marshall | 77 | Auto One Wildcard | 89 |
35 | Marcus Zukanovic | 71 | Auto One Wildcard | 70 |
36 | Stephen White | 19 | Stephen White Racing | 67 |
37 | Yanis Derums | 66 | Mangomedia | 58 |
38 | Nathan Callaghan | 29 | Calmack Smash Repairs | 53 |
39 | Rohan Barry | 97 | Sieders Racing | 53 |
40 | David Besnard | 84 | Auto One Wildcard | 52 |
41 | Garry Hills | 76 | Williams Race Tech | 47 |
42 | Kosi Kalaitzidis | 5 | Priority Engineering Services | 46 |
43 | Sean Carter | 28 | No Limit Energy Drink | 34 |
44 | Charlie Kovacs | 69 | Red Express Racing | 27 |
45 | Denis Cribbin | 33 | Cribbin Blencowe Estate Agents | 27 |
46 | Tim Boyle | 48 | Giddyup horsey production racing | 26 |
47 | Nathan Tinkler | 33 | Tinkler Motorsports | 20 |