Grant Johnson won two of the three V8 Ute Racing Series races at Townsville at the weekend, but still saw his points lead cut by Jack Elsegood.
Johnson guided his Permacoat Holden to victory in races 1 and 3 at the street circuit in Queensland but struggled to 15th in the reverse-grid second. Elsegood meanwhile was the model of consistency, registering three podium finishes to move within 11 points of his rival in the standings.
The Hi-Tech Motorsport team-mates started on the front row for the opening race with Elsegood forging into an early lead. After losing his advantage on lap 5, he immediately reclaimed his advantage one turn later and the battle continued until lap 9 when Johnson made a decisive move around the outside of his rival and held him off to the chequered flag. Kim Jane completed the podium.
The top 12 finishers were reversed for race 2 leaving rookie Jeremy Gray to take the win from the experienced Gary Baxter, while Elsegood fought his way through the field to third ahead of Rhys McNally, as Johnson trailed home in the midfield.
Johnson was back in fine form at the start of race 3, beating pole-sitter Elsegood at the start and pulling away in the remaining laps for a dominant win.
Elsegood settled for second place, with Gray completing a fine weekend by grabbing third ahead of Jane.
V8 Utes Racing Series results – Round 4, Townsville
Race 1 (Top Ten)
1 Grant Johnson, Permacoat, Holden SS
2 Jack Elsegood, Coopers Clear Racing, Ford Falcon XR8
3 Kim Jane, Bob Jane T-Marts, Holden SS
4 Ryal Harris, CAMCO/Harris Motorsport, Holden SS
5 David Sieders, Sieders Racing, Ford Falcon BF
6 Chris Pither, Ice Break Racing, Holden SS
7 Brad Patton, Chill Racing, Ford Falcon XR8
8 Andrew Fisher, Jesus Racing, Ford Falcon XR8
9 Jeremy Gray, JMG Maintenance Racing, Ford Falcon XR8
10 Craig Dontas, Thirsty Camel Racing, Holden SS
Race 2 (Top Ten)
1 Jeremy Gray, JMG Maintenance Racing, Ford Falcon XR8
2 Gary Baxter, Sage Automation Racing, Holden SS VE
3 Jack Elsegood, Coopers Clear Racing, Ford Falcon XR8
4 Rhys McNally, West Coast Racing, Holden VE
5 David Sieders, Sieders Racing, Ford Falcon BF
6 Andrew Fisher, Jesus Racing, Ford Falcon XR8
7 Gary Carson, WPR Racing, Ford Falcon BF
8 Paul Williams, GPF Underground Racing, Holden VE
9 Charlie Kovacs, Wilson Security Racing, Holden VE
10 Gary MacDonald, Ice Break Racing, Holden VE
Race 3 (Top Ten)
1 Grant Johnson, Permacoat, Holden SS
2 Jack Elsegood, Coopers Clear Racing, Ford Falcon XR8
3 Jeremy Gray, JMG Maintenance Racing, Ford Falcon XR8
4 Kim Jane, Bob Jane T-Marts, Holden SS
5 Chris Pither, Ice Break Racing, Holden SS
6 David Sieders, Sieders Racing, Ford Falcon BF
7 Rhys McNally, West Coast Racing, Holden VE
8 Charlie Kovacs, Wilson Security Racing, Holden VE
9 Andrew Fisher, Jesus Racing, Ford Falcon XR8
10 Paul Williams, GPF Underground Racing, Holden VE
Championship Standings (after 4 rounds)
1 Grant Johnson, 468pts
2 Jack Elsegood, 447
3 Andrew Fisher, 415
4 David Sieders, 380
5 Gary MacDonald, 348
6 Kim Jane, 331
7 Chris Pither, 316
8 Gary Baxter, 315
9 Jeremy Gray, 310
10 Gary Carson, 275
Next round: 10-12 September, Phillip Island
Watch V8 Ute Racing Series highlights on Motors TV.
Andy Wilkinson
Follow Motors TV on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
Click here for a chance to win VIP tickets to the British GT Championship at Silverstone
International
