Super sub Stoneman wins second time out
Jake Stoneman emerged from a wild first lap of action at Manfeild to win on only his second time out in the RYCO 24•7 V8 Utes Championship.
Stoneman survived the first lap drama of the series’ reverse top ten format for its second race and once he had made his way to the front, he was able to streak away for a comfortable lead in the number 1 2019 championship winning ute he normally runs for reigning champion Matthew Spratt.
As the field compressed into the ever tightening turn one at the challenging, and banked Manfeild track, Manuell, Stoneman, Saturday winner Andrew Porter, Glen Collinson and pretty much all of the mid field cam together in one enormous cloud of rubber, arms and elbows. The jostling continued throughout the first lap as drivers took to the grass to avoid inevitable contact.
Stoneman though, kept his nose clean, saw the opportunity and came through in fourth from a ninth place starting slot. Manuell and Collinson were further back, as was Andrew Porter. All had contact of some sort, and Manuell’s was carrying visible wounds from the battle.
As the race wore on, Stoneman forged his way to the front and built a massive lead while Manuell eventually worked his way past Peter Ward, who had also done very well indeed on the first lap. That remained the top three order throughout, which was not good news for Glen Collinson’s championship challenge as he fought his way back through the field as far as the Geoff Spencer and Simon Ussher battle for fourth. He eventually cake home in sixth and gave Manuell an increased points advantage in the championship battle. The third championship contender, Andrew Porter had an even worse time, retiring early in the race.
Liam Porter put in another solid race in his Ford Falcon BF to come home in a very respectable seventh, and Brent Main continued his good run in a similar Ford for eighth. His team mate Dave Lowe and season rookie Roger Nees rounded out the top ten.
RYCO 24•7 V8 Utes Championship Round 3 Race 2
1 Jake Stoneman – Ford
2 Paul Manuell – Holden
3 Peter Ward – Holden
4 Geoff Spencer – Holden
5 Simon Ussher – Ford
6 Glen Collinson – Ford
7 Liam Porter – Ford
8 Brent Main – Ford
9 Shaggy Lowe – Ford
10 Roger Nees – Ford
11 Paul Fougere – Holden
12 Greg Kroef – Ford
13 Stu Monteith – Holden
DNF: Andrew Porter – Ford
Top – Jake Stoneman taking a comfortable win for Race Two in the RYCO 24•7 V8 Ute Championship. Photo – Dillon Photography.