R1 LITES QUAL. - McLeod takes pole for Lites opener
25/3/2000 19:02 (Jason Whittaker) - A field of twenty-one talented drivers thrilled V8 fans at Eastern Creek during qualifying for the first round of the Konica V8 Lites today.
Queenslander Craig Harris and young gun Dean Canto set the pace during early practice but it was Ryan McLeod who succeeded in taking pole position for race one tomorrow.
AVESCO Chief Executive Officer Wayne Cattach said the times achieved by the top five drivers were comparable to times set by some Shell Championship drivers at the same circuit last year.
"The times set by the top five gives an indication of the talent among the Konica V8 Lites drivers and the professionalism and commitment of their teams," Cattach said.
"We may well be witnessing the emergence of the next Lowndes or Skaife with qualifying times on par with those of professional ranking," he said.
The five fastest qualifiers are separated by less than one second, so motor racing fans can expect spectacular racing action as the drivers fight for victory in the three 20 minute sprint races tomorrow at 11.25am, 1.45pm and 3.40pm.
Ryan McLeod was delighted to qualify on pole for tomorrows opening race of the Konica V8 Lites Series. "It's great to run at the front end of this series and this is the perfect grounding for V8 Supercars," he said.
The grid for the top six will be reversed for race two tomorrow ensuring an exciting and closely contested round.
Front row qualifier Craig Harris agrees with the decision to reverse the grid for race two. "It will be really good racing, it's great for the series and good for the fans," he said.
Craig Harris is driving the 1998 Bathurst winning Falcon EL driven by Jason Bright and Steve Richards.
**MEDIA RELEASE
**TOP 10**
1st RYAN McLEOD (K-Mart Racing) - VS Commodore
2nd CRAIG HARRIS (Car Sales Racing) - EL Falcon
3rd DEAN CANTO (Dean Canto Racing) - VS Commodore
4th MATTHEW WHITE (Matthew White Racing) - VS Commodore
5th WAYNE WAKEFIELD (Graphic Skills Racing) - VS Commodore
6th GARRY HOLT (Eastern Creek Int. Karting Raceway) - EL Falcon
7th ROD SALMON (One World Hotel & Sports Bar) - EL Falcon
8th DANIEL MILLER (Miller Racing) - VS Commodore
9th CHRIS BUTLER (Riverlea Motorsport) - VS Commodore
10th RICHARD MORK (V8 Racing) - VR Commodore
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