Another win for Mitch Sparrow in the V8 Utes at Taupo

Mitch Sparrow set the fastest time in Qualifying in the morning and then backed it up with a thrilling Race One win in the V8 Utes at Taupo. Glen Collinson fought fiercely in second but couldn’t bridge to deficit to Mitch, unleashing fastest lap of the race but to no avail. Less than two-seconds further back, Brad Kroef kept ahead of Peter Ward during an intense 10-lap battle. Here’s how the action unfolded.

For the morning’s qualifying session, overnight rain meant the track was cool, but Mitch Sparrow was on fire posting the fastest lap for his first ever Core V8 Utes pole. Glen Collinson was right on the pace around 1.7 secs behind in second, while Peter Ward was right at home back in his Holden ute posting third fastest lap.

On the Qualifying podium flanked by two absolute legends of V8 Utes racing, Mitch confessed “The ute is an absolute rocketship,” as he thanked ‘Stoneman Race Tech’ for the ute’s preparation. “I’m just having fun driving it.”

**The return of Peter Ward saw an intense clash with Brad Kroef – photo @dillonphotonz**

Current V8 Utes series champion Glen Collinson said, after qualifying second, “Credit where credit’s due, Mitch’s pace was in a league of his own,” the seasoned veteran acknowledging Mitch’s talent. Peter Ward, making a welcomed return to his Holden ute after several seasons racing a TA2 said, “I was hoping for a top 5 finish, so third is better than expected.”

As for the rest of the field, barely a second separated positions four to eighth, such is the closeness of competition – setting the scene for some ultra-close racing in the afternoon.

As for the rest of the field, with barely second separating positions fourth to eighth, Race One in the afternoon was destined to be a slug-fest of close racing. It didn’t disappoint.

When the lights went out, Glen Collinson moved across on Mitch, and the entered turn one two-wide, but Mitch didn’t flinch. In positions three and four behind them, Brad Kroef slid alongside Peter Ward into the corner – Brad prevailed out of the corner. Daniel Ludlam wasn’t quite as quick, stalling on the line with a quick-reacting Phill Ross narrowly avoiding Daniel’s rear.

**Paul Fougere under attack from Blair Gribble-Bowring – photo @dillonphotonz**

As the laps wore on, Glen Collinson clung onto Mitch Sparrow like a limpet, but the youngster wasn’t intimidated by the wily veteran. Glen unleashed a 1.43.037 fastest lap of the race, but it wasn’t enough. Mitch kept stretching his lead to almost three secs. by lap six.

At the chequered flag, Mitch prevailed in the David vs Goliath battle, earning his second race win and massive respect from the entire field. Similarly, Brad Kroef was pursued by another former champion Peter Ward, but Brad the two-time champion held his nerve – and his third place. The midfield battles were just as exciting, Paul Fougere propelling himself from starting eighth to sixth by mid race, only to miss a gear and lose his place to Stu Monteith.

With the performances of Mitch Sparrow adding real depth to a field of multiple champions all duking it out for series points, the V8 Utes are alive and thriving.

**The mid-field battles were intense at Taupo – photo @dillonphotonz**

QUALIFYING		UTE	BEST LAP
1^st	Mitch Sparrow	Holden	1.42.267
2^nd	Glen Collinson	Ford	1.43.984
3^rd	Peter Ward	Holden	1.44.320
4^th	Brad Kroef	Ford	1.44.625
5^th	Daniel Ludlam	Holden	1.44.646
6^th	Greg Kroef	Ford	1.44.726
7^th	Phill Ross	Holden	1.45.459
8^th	Paul Fougere	Holden	1.45.687
9^th	Stu Monteith	Holden	1.45.947
10^TH	Blair Gribble-Bowring	Ford	1.46.163
11^TH	Geoff Spencer	Holden	1.46.864

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RACE ONE		UTE	MARGIN
1^st	Mitch Sparrow	Holden
2^nd	Glen Collinson	Ford	+2.871
3^rd	Brad Kroef	Ford	+4.568
4^th	Peter Ward	Holden	+5.773
5^th	Greg Kroef	Ford	+20.317
6^th	Phill Ross	Holden	+26.816
7^th	Blair Gribble-Bowring	Ford	+29.793
8^th	Stu Monteith	Holden	+32.285
9^th	Paul Fougere	Holden	+33.138
10^TH	Geoff Spencer	Holden	+33.654
11^TH	Daniel Ludlam	Holden	+35.159