Kris ‘Killa’ Walton proved he will be the man to beat in this year’s UDC V8 Ute championship in his Multispares-backed Ford Falcon after a stunning display in the first round of the series at the new Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell.
Fastest in Friday practice, fastest in qualifying and then the winner of all three races after some stylish performances put him in the driving seat after the first round. A firm brush with one of the track’s unforgiving walls in Sunday’s first encounter proved just a minor delay in a race where he demonstrated outstanding natural ability in appallingly wet conditions. Ominous for the opposition was the fact that he also showed the same speed in the dry and in damp conditions.
Second for the round after an impressive weekend was Mike ‘Buzz’ Lightfoot. A race win eluded him but he showed maturity, patience and pace to wrap up the runner-up spot in a competitive field.
Sam ‘Bazza’ Barry jumped right into the deep end in his first weekend of V8 Ute racing, revelling in the extra power after last season in the four cylinder Suzuki Swifts. He showed great pace and was clearly not afraid to get into the thick of the action. Third for the round was a superb opening gambit from the youngster.
Of note also during a weekend on a tough circuit in tough conditions was the fact that the UDC Ute category was the only class racing at the high profile Highlands meeting to go through all of its races without a double yellow, safety car or stoppage during the whole weekend.
