Jane secures Utes pole amid penalty drama

Erebus Motorsport’s Kim Jane has claimed pole position for the V8 Utes Barbagallo Raceway opener despite receiving a reprimand for a pitlane infringement.

Jane topped Friday’s Top 10 Shootout at the Perth circuit with an impressive 1:06.65s effort, but his pole position was put in doubt for a breach of the pitlane regulations.

The Holden driver returned to his pit bay instead of going directly to Parc Ferme following the completion of qualifying.

A stewards inquiry was launched resulting in Jane retaining his pole position despite being issued with a reprimand for his actions.

“It’s great to get pole, it’s our first one in 75 races and we all know how competitive this series is,” said Jane.

“I’m not getting any younger so to get one is great, I was driving down pit lane yelling and celebrating and I was getting ready to get out of the car and give everyone a big hug.

“I pulled into pit lane and it was a breach, we went to the stewards and pleaded our case, and we got let off so we’ve still got pole.”

New South Wales driver David Sieders will start alongside Jane having trailed the Erebus Ute by just 0.2516s.

Ryan Hansford emerged as the best of the Fords in third with Grant Johnson, who topped the first part of qualifying, in fourth just 0.4s adrift of the poleman.

However, it proved to be a difficult session for the championship pacesetters Ryal Harris and Kris Walton as the pair both failed to secure a place in the Top 10 Shootout.

Harris will start Saturday’s Round 2 opener from 11th with Walton a lowly 17th on the grid.

Race 1 set is due to begin at 10:05am (local time).

Result: V8 Utes Racing Series Top 10 Shootout

Position	Team	Driver	Ute	Time	Gap
1	Bob Jane T-Marts / Altenzo	Kim Jane (VIC)	Holden Commodore VE	1:06.6557*
2	Mango Credit	David Sieders (NSW)	Holden Commodore VE	1:06.9073	00.2516
3	Multispares Racing	Ryan Hansford (QLD)	Ford Falcon FG	1:06.9805	00.3248
4	All Purpose Pest Control	Grant Johnson (WA)	Ford Falcon FG	1:07.1307	00.4750
5	Stratco Racing	Rhys McNally (WA)	Holden Commodore VE	1:07.1557	00.5000
6	Auto One / Erebus Motorsport	Adam Marjoram (WA)	Holden Commodore VE	1:07.2001	00.5444
7	Peters Motorsport	Mason Barbera (QLD)	Ford Falcon FG	1:07.2244	00.5687
8	McLeod Racing / RYCO 24-7	Gerard McLeod (VIC)	Holden Commodore VE	1:07.3025	00.6468
9	Jesus Racing	Andrew Fisher (NSW)	Ford Falcon FG	1:07.4035	00.7478
10	Just Car Insurance / Kitten	Craig Dontas (SA)	Holden Commodore VE	1:07.5491	00.8934