With only two days to go until the opening round of the 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Series – protected by Armour All, the Sieders Racing crew are doing their final checks in preparation of hitting the streets of Adelaide, at the Clipsal 500 this weekend.
This season, Sieders Racing will campaign three entries, including team regulars Andrew “Fishtail” Fisher and Ben “Dunny” Dunn, as well as Ute Category Debutant David “Sideways” Sieders.
“We had a number of podiums in 2009 with Andrew [Fisher], who finished just outside the Top Five for the season, and Ben [Dunn] had some great results despite missing three rounds,” said Team Manager, Luke Sieders.
“Testing at Eastern Creek on Saturday, the guys consistently recorded quick times for both the track, and when compared to the other utes in each session,” said Sieders, “it?s a good sign as we look to get all entries well within the Top Ten by the end of the season”.
The inclusion of David Sieders, who made his V8 Supercar Championship Debut with an Enduro Wildcard Entry for the Philip Island and Bathurst rounds in 2009 with Andrew Fisher, is a valued addition to the team?s Ute programme.
“One of our key partners mentioned a keen interest in getting a greater presence through the Ute Series, so we thought we?d make the switch from the Fujitsu Development V8 Supercar Series for this year,” said David Sieders.
“Joining the Utes will also consolidate the team?s resources a little more and hopefully boost our development programme,” Sieders said, “however, I?m definitely looking forward to pulling some double-duties throughout the season and jumping back into a Supercar for selected rounds.”
Sieders Racing have also signed the one-off round recruits of Rally Champ, Rick Bates, Ford Performance Vehicles? General Manager, Rod Barrett, and Colin Dunn to pair-up with Andrew Fisher, David Sieders and Ben Dunn for the „legends? race.
“In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Ute, the opening round will include a „legends? co-driver,” said Luke Sieders, “each car will compete in a two-driver format, with the final race to be televised live, featuring a driver change”. After finishing 10th in 2008 and Sixth last year, Sieders Racing?s Ute stalwart, Andrew Fisher, has great expectations for both the 2010 season, and the first round at the Clipsal 500.
“I?m expecting us to be on the podium this weekend, including the legends race,” said Andrew, “I?m also hoping to tighten up a few rounds from last year and make a real challenge for the Championship this year”.
Having missed three rounds in 2009, and spearheading the debut of Ford?s FG XR8 at the 2010 Armour All Bathurst 12 Hour Showroom Enduro, Yokohama Ute Category Board Member, Ben Dunn has high spirits and is excited for his first race on the streets of Adelaide.
“I?ve never actually raced at Clipsal, so I?m not sure what to expect, but I?m really looking forward to it,” said Dunn, “the 12 hour was invaluable experience in racing conditions, and I?m looking to crack the Top Ten a few times this year”.
With the team only testing two of their three vehicles at Eastern Creek on Saturday, David Sieders was the only one left feeling a little disadvantaged on the day, unable to get track time in his own Ford XR8, which was still in transit over the weekend.
“It was a little frustrating not to get out there in my ute,” said David, “but I?ve raced Clipsal a few times now, and I?ll just use the first practice session to familiarise myself with how it responds compared to the Supercar”.
The 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Series – protected by Armour All will get their first session for the year on the streets of Adelaide on Thursday at 8:50am for Practice and the round will feature three races, one each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“At the end of the day, you can have the best or worst preparation leading into the season, but it?s once you hit the track for Race One that you get a real idea of what the season has install,” said Luke.
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