AUS Utes: Hi-Tech Sydeny Thursday report

Hi-Tech Settle into Homebush

The team from Hi-Tech Motorsport today moved into the pits at Sydney Olympic Park for the final round of the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series.

Hi-Tech are running five Utes this weekend, including the two front-runners in the driver's championship, Grant Johnson in the #47 Holden and Jack Elsegood in the #1 Ford Falcon.

The boys will also be looking after Japanese guest driver Ryo Orime for the series final. Mr Orime, the first Japanese driver to compete in the V8 Ute Racing series, will take control of the #12 Ute owned by Scott Jennings.

The Japanese star had his first steer of a V8 Ute on Monday (29 November 2010) and was confident with how quickly he adjusted to the big changes.

Mr Orime again tested his skills today at Eastern Creek race track, this time in the Hi-Tech prepared VE he will be racing on the weekend.

Team manager John "Barrel" Pachos was impressed with the young driver's session.

"It was wet and dry but he did really well," said John The Hi-Tech team have dubbed Mr Orime 'Hamburger', having discovered his love for the food.

The new nickname will now be printed across his back window for the weekend's races.

Rookie Rhys McNally, in the #26 NRW VE, will also be taking on Sydney's cement-lined circuit for the first time tomorrow in two scheduled practice sessions.

"I did a lap of the track in the hire car today and it looks good," said McNally

"I'm looking forward to practice tomorrow"

Chief Mechanic of the NRW Ute, Patrick Lees, is happy with the solid preparation of the Hi-Tech Utes.

"The whole team has worked really hard to prepare for this weekend," said Patrick

"We work full-time on these utes and it shows in our current standings

"McNally had a great run at the last round at Surfers Paradise and we're confident he can come up with a solid result this weekend to finish his the season"

You can see the Hi-Tech Utes at the Sydney 500 in the Support Paddock near Turn 2 from today until Sunday afternoon.

-source: hi-tech