Round 3 of the NZV8 Ute Series is a pivotal one for young Palmerston North driver Chris Pither. 'The Doctor' leads the series point standings as the championship arrives at the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in north Waikato for the Utes first appearance at the exciting, new state of the art facility this weekend.

Pither is looking for another solid round in his ENZED Falcon to ease further ahead in the points and to take the pressure off in his championship campaign. He currently holds a 40 point lead over arch rival and defending champion Caine Lobb. "I want to bag a decent amount of points," said 'The Doctor' as he prepared for the battle ahead today. "It isn't a huge amount of points. One DNF (non finish) could lose the whole lead."

Pither has been the dominant force in the series to date. He has won both rounds, at Taupo and Pukekohe. He set the fastest qualifying time at both circuits and won all three races at Taupo and the first two at Pukekohe before Lobb took the final race at the South Auckland circuit.

A few of the NZV8 Utes drivers have driven on the new circuit prior to this weekend but Pither is not one of them. "It's a cool track from what I've seen," said Pither who had a look around when he stayed in an apartment at the track when he was racing at the last round of the championship at Pukekohe. "While the Holdens had an advantage at Pukekohe, mid range power being the difference between the Ford and Holden, that is not so vital at Hampton Downs. "I think it is a set-up track, more technical to drive. Set-up and driver input will be important."

Pither's last outing in the ENZED Falcon was at the last round which was early in December and he is looking forward to getting back behind the wheel. Since his last drive in the ENZED Falcon he has made an impressive debut in the BNT V8s Championship at Timaru recently.

'The Doctor' and his NZV8 Ute Series rivals will take part in testing at the 2.8 kilometre circuit on Thursday evening and Friday. A 20 minute qualifying session is scheduled for 11.00am on Saturday morning and the first race of four at this round over 8 laps is timed to start at 2.30pm.  

The following day Pither will contest three races, the first at 9.50am over 8 laps with a marble draw start, the second at 11.10am again over 8 laps from a reverse marble draw start and the finale over 10 laps at 2.35pm which will be from a grid based on round points to that point of the weekend.

Pither's efforts in the 2009/2010 NZV8 Ute Series are supported by ENZED, KDTraining.com and Cairns Bins.

Media: Lindsay Beer