After a stellar podium performance at Mt Panorama less than two weeks ago, AIS National’s David Sieders knows a lot more is needed when the Auto One V8 Ute Series – protected by Armor All hits the Gold Coast Street Circuit for Round Six of the Championship this weekend, 21-23 October 2011.

Despite closing the gap in the ENZED Drivers’ Leader board to less than one sessions’ worth of points, the New South Welshman, from Londonderry in Sydney’s West, will be looking for even stronger results to take a significant points advantage from the Round.

“Our car was quick here last year, and we managed to get our third podium of that season, so we’ll be going out to show that pace again this weekend,” said Sieders.

“We had a great result at Bathurst, and managed to cut the gap to the Championship Lead of Chris Pither down to 31 points…but with only three rounds and 384 maximum points remaining, we’re going to need to do a lot more to get back to that number one spot by the end of the Season”.

Sieders currently sits in fourth-place in the Championship Standings, only 14 points behind Gold Coast local, Ryal Harris, and 2010 Ute Champion, Grant Johnson, who are tied for second place, 17 points adrift the reigning New Zealand V8 Ute Champion, Chris Pither.

“It’s been a tough battle amongst the Top Four all year,” said Sieders, “we’ve seen Grant [Johnson] and Chris [Pither] get together a number of times out there this year, so if we can keep it clean this weekend we’ll have a good shot at closing the gap back to the lead even further”.

The Surfers’ Paradise Street Circuit underwent major adjustments last year, being reduced to 2.96km from the original 4.47km, and for Sieders, who scored the first Pole Position on the new layout, finding a run without traffic on the street circuit will be the key to replicating last year’s result.

“There were eight drivers within a second of Pole last year, each one quicker than the fastest Practice time after only one session on the new layout, so we know it’s going to be tough,” said Sieders.

“I’ll be looking for a couple of good clear runs, and hopefully we can start near the front again, so we avoid any potential issues in the first chicane and hairpin…it is Ute racing after all.”

Although the Team, including Driver, will all only arrive at the Gold Coast today for this weekend’s Round, Sieders has already had the chance to run around the circuit, attending the Australian Industrial Supplies’ Trade Show, Annual General Meeting and Dinner near the track at the end of last week.

“I’ve been really lucky to have such great support from the AIS National Team and their Suppliers this year, so I jumped at the opportunity to go to the AGM, and I was able to meet some more of the Members and Suppliers at the Trade Show and Dinner.”

“We’ve got a unique arrangement this year, with six active suppliers, being TradeQuip, Nitto, Sidcrome, Starrett, Milwaukee and WIA all having direct input along with the AIS National Board and Members so it was great to get amongst them,” said Sieders.

“I had an awesome time, and had the chance to go for a run around the circuit whilst it was still being built which has definitely boosted my motivation and focus.”

The Auto One V8 Ute Series will hit the streets of Surfers’ Paradise for their one and only Practice Session at 7:50am on Friday, with Qualifying at 15:00. Racing starts on Saturday at 10:15, with the other two races on Sunday at 8:30am and 12:30pm, with the final race telecast live on Network Seven (local/Queensland Time).

“There’s not a lot of time to get your eye in on this circuit, and with a quick turn around from the Reverse Grid Race on Sunday, we’ll be looking to come out clean to ensure we not only finish the weekend, but also bank some good points along the way.”