Kris ‘Killa’ Walton carried on with his winning ways in his Multispares backed Ford Falcon – coming through the field to win the first race of the weekend for the UDC V8 Utes at the TR Group V8 Festival.
Pole sitter via the marble draw Brett ‘The Scud’ Rudd led impressively early on in his Pallet Supplies Holden, holding off a charging Sam ‘Bazza’ Barry and gapping the chasing pack which was led initially by Glen ‘Coyote’ Collinson.
Collinson and the Panorama Motorsport team have really got to grips with their NZ-built Ford Falcon ute in the last couple of rounds, solving braking issues and giving the experienced Collinson the confidence to push the car very, very hard. The result was third fastest time behind Aussies Walton and Barbera in practice, and he matched this with a third row starting position in the marble draw. Unfortunately for the fans at the event who thought they were going to get a great last four laps, Walton tagged Collinson at the tricky downhill corkscrew at Turn 9 and turned him into the pack.
A cat-like Peter ‘Kaos’ Ward reacted took to the grass and the rest somehow found a way around the Ford without contact, but the spin left Glenn at the tail of the field and Walton with a clear run to Rudd and Barry up front.
This was the decisive point of the race and it didn’t take Walton long to close the gap on the leaders. He made quick work of Barry, but had to work slightly harder to find a way by a determined Rudd. Once by, however, he made the race his own as he has done so often this season – and this on his circuit debut at Hampton Downs.
Rudd got home in second, with Barry third and a hugely impressive Mason ‘Chuey’ Barbera in fourth. Another karting graduate revelling in the ability to transfer his skills set successfully from a kart weighing less that 100kgs to a V8 brute ute weighing over 1800kg, Barbera streaked through the field from a lowly marble grid position to climb up to an impressive fourth. This complemented his second fastest time in qualifying in the morning and marks his out as a youngster to watch not only in the UDC V8 Utes, but also in the wider Australasian motorsport community.
Mike ‘Buzz’ Lightfoot had a quiet race to fifth, but amassed more valuable points chase for the series. Geoff ‘SOS’ Spencer came home in sixth, while James ‘Huggi’ Urquart survived a couple of wild moments to take seventh in the immaculate rebuilt Mitre Ten Trade Holden. Collinson recovered to eighth while Kaos Ward loo0ked out of sorts in ninth. Newbie Matt Spratt completed the field in his first race in the UDC V8 Utes aboard the ex-Chris Hanley series-winning Holden.
UDC V8 Utes Round 5 – Hampton Downs TR Group V8 Festival
1. Kris ‘Killa’ Walton – Ford Falcon
2. Brett ‘The Scud’ Rudd – Holden
3. Sam ‘Bazza’ Barry – Ford Falcon
4. Mason ‘Chuey’ Barbera – Ford Falcon
5. Mike ‘Buzz’ Lightfoot – Ford Falcon
6. Geoff ‘SOS’ Spencer – Holden Commodore
7. James ‘Huggi’ Urquhart – Holden Commodore
8. Glen ‘Coyote’ Collinson – Ford Falcon
9. Peter ‘Kaos’ Ward – Holden Commodore
10. Matt ‘Stinger’ Spratt – Holden Commodore
HUGGI TAKES OUT RACE 2 TO RECORD FIRST SERIES WIN
A minute’s silence before the start in remembrance of Peter ‘Rocketman’ Robb heralded Race 2 of the UDC V8 Utes and James ‘Huggi’ Urquart followed that up with one of his best ever drives to take out the race ahead of a hard charging Kris ‘Killa’ Walton.
Urquhart made a demon start to out-drag Lightfoot and the rest to Turn 1 and got his head down for the first six laps. He then turned on a defence the Rocketman would have been proud of over the final two laps to hold off Walton, who had got past Lightfoot at half way but was unable to catch and passed the Mitre Ten Trade Holden. The series leader was gracious in defeat and full of praise for Urquhart. “There was nothing I could do in the time I had, he drove a very good race and deserved the win. He was fair, and he was fast.”
Urquhart was a popular winner and afterwards revealed a complete change in direction on set-up recommended by the experienced racer Paul Manuel.
“We’ve changed the set-up of the Mitre Ten Trade Holden significantly, and I didn’t actually like how it felt. Paul said it needed a change in my driving style and I’ve been trying to adapt and it’s great to see the results of that so quickly. I’m absolutely stoked for the crew and myself with that win – it’s been a tough year.”
Lightfoot drove a strong race to third, amassing more points in the battle for second in the championship, while Barbera looked in the mix early on but fell back, albeit to a solid fourth place in only his fifth car race.
Some rubbing early on caused a suspension failure for Peter ‘Kaos’ Ward and there was plenty of contact as his car slewed out of control, particularly to series rival Geoff ‘SOS’ Spencer. The mechanics for both cars poured over them as they arrived back in the paddock with plenty to do before they could go out and race again later in the day. It meant a DNF for Kaos and last place for SOS, who somehow managed to bring the wounded car home, but at a snail’s pace. What it did mean was that at the time of writing, results were provisional.
UDC V8 Utes Round 5 – Hampton Downs TR Group V8 Festival Race 2
1. James ‘Huggi’ Urquhart – Holden Commodore
2. Kris ‘Killa’ Walton – Ford Falcon
3. Mike ‘Buzz’ Lightfoot – Ford Falcon
4. Mason ‘Chuey’ Barbera – Ford Falcon
5. Sam ‘Bazza’ Barry – Ford Falcon
6. Glen ‘Coyote’ Collinson – Ford Falcon
7. Brett ‘The Scud’ Rudd – Holden
8. Matt ‘Stinger’ Spratt – Holden Commodore
9. Geoff ‘SOS’ Spencer – Holden Commodore
DNF: Peter ‘Kaos’ Ward – Holden Commodore
WALTON WALKS RACE 3
Kris ‘Killa’ Walton converted a pole position to a dominant Race 3 win at the fifth round of the UDC V8 Ute series at Hampton Downs today.
Walton secured pole on points for the weekend, and secured the spot despite being docked 12 points on Saturday after causing an avoidable incident. Class is class, however, and he put all that behind him and drove a faultless race from lights to flag. The win moved him one step closer to the UDC V8 Utes title.
Race 2 winner James ‘Huggi’ Urquhart made another lightning getaway from the second row of the grid and passed front row sitter Mason ‘Chuey’ Barbera into Turn 1. With Walton disappearing into the distance, Urquhart focussed on defence of second position and looked to have it sewn up until the closing stages of the race when he clashed with Glen ‘Coyote’ Collinson and bent the front suspension which hobbled him badly and saw him drop rapidly down the order on the last lap, a disappointment after a great day when he took huis first ever series race win.
Collinson was able to retain second and match his best result of the season in the Betta Autoparts Ford, while Mason ‘Chuey’ Barbera took third after a race long battle with Sam ‘Bazza’ Barry, who brought a battle-scarred Bel Group Ford into fourth. Barbera looked like a seasoned pro throughout the meeting even though it was only his fourth, fifth and sixth race in a car.
Praise also for Geoff ‘SOS’ Spencer’s crew led by Trevor Jackson who had the number 22 Holden looking (almost) as good as new despite heavy contact earlier in the day in Race 2. With no reference on set up Spencer did exceptionally well to circulate quickly. He stayed out of trouble too, and a fifth place finish was a great reward for the hard trying team.
Ward, Lightfoot, Spratt, Rudd and Urquhart rounded out the field.
UDC V8 Utes Round 5 – Hampton Downs TR Group V8 Festival Race 3
1. Kris ‘Killa’ Walton – Ford Falcon
2. Glen ‘Coyote’ Collinson – Ford Falcon FG
3. Mason ‘Chuey’ Barbera – Ford Falcon
4. Sam ‘Bazza’ Barry – Ford Falcon
5. Geoff ‘SOS’ Spencer – Holden Commodore
6. Peter ‘Kaos’ Ward – Holden Commodore
7. Mike ‘Buzz’ Lightfoot – Ford Falcon
8. Matt ‘Stinger’ Spratt – Holden Commodore
9. Brett ‘The Scud’ Rudd – Holden Commodore
10. James ‘Huggi’ Urquhart – Holden Commodore
