Townsville – Round 4 Win – Australian V8 Ute Championship

Hi Everyone,

After having the toughest round so far this season at Darwin, Ice Break Racing bounced back with our best at Townsville!

I drove up to Townsville a week early with ‘The Guru’ to take part in promotional activities in the week leading up to the event.  I had a great time meeting lots of petrol heads!

Unfortunately time did not permit to strip the Ute and put new front rails in the Ute between Darwin and Townsville so we spent the time getting the Ute set up as best as possible around the bent front end.

The first practice session was used to get dialled into the track again and make sure the Ute felt 100%.  We posted the 12th fastest time which was satisfactory and we knew we would go forward from there.  Practice 2 we moved forward a few spots to 9th as I built confidence and got into the groove.  I was looking forward to some new rubber for qualifying on Saturday morning.  The Ute felt hooked up when I started to attack in qualifying.  I was disappointed to miss out on pole .08s!  I should of braked 1m later into the last corner and that would have been enough!  To put the Ice Break Holden on the front row was an awesome way to kick the round off.

Race one was a challenge.  I maintained 2nd place for half the race then started dropping back through the front pack when I started locking rear brakes.  Later we found the front brakes had glazed up and causing a large majority of the braking to be transferred to the rear.  I held on to finish 6th.  Race two was the reverse grid race for the weekend.  Number 18 was drawn out so the top 18 were flipped.  I started from grid 13.  I nailed the start and positioned the Ute well on the opening lap to have a good run through to be in p6 after lap one.  The Ute was flying and I chased down the front pack picking them off one by one till I was fighting for the lead with Thirsty Camel Racing’s Craig Dontas.  I could see his rear tyres fading and I took the opportunity to pass when he struggled for drive.  Ice Break Racing took their 2nd race win of the season and it was an awesome feeling!

Combined points from races one and two saw us start the final from pole.  I launched well again and held the lead from the start.  Cam McConville slotted into p2 but I was able to pull a gap then maintain it.  Another race win was a perfect way to finish the round.  This gave us our first round win for 2011!  The entire team was ecstatic.  This result was great for our championship points as well and we moved back into the lead.

There is now two months off before Bathurst but we have a lot to do so the time will fly!

This weekend I will race in the Race for Jase 3 hr Kart enduro with Scott McLaughlin.  I haven’t raced a Kart for about 10 years so I’m really looking forward to it!

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See you at the track soon and thanks for your support,

Chris #42