A couple of wise heads are having a lot of influence in this seasons UDC V8 Ute Championship as the category prepares for its next stoush at Timaru International Motor Raceway this weekend.
Father and son Kirk and Jake Stoneman have varying degrees of involvement with the first four utes in the point standings of the championship after three rounds. The Western Motor Group team crew for championship leader Andrew 'DJ48' Waite in the Valvoline/Hydraulink Falcon, have carried out work on the PB Technologies Holden of second placed Chris 'Hammer Time' Hanley and are assisting and mentoring third and fourth placed Mike 'Buzz' Lightfoot (BSL Buckley Systems Falcon) and Peter 'Kaos' Ward (Ward Demolition Holden).
The Stonemans have a wealth of experience and success in motor racing themselves and are passing that knowledge on with great results. Previously they have guided Matt Lockwood to a V8 Ute title and Chris Pither to two as well as helping Pither to an Australian V8 Ute title last year.
Most notable this year is how much their presence has added to Lightfoot and Ward's campaigns. Both drivers took their maiden race wins at Teretonga Park and are the only drivers aside from Waite and Hanley to grace the top step of the podium this season. Both are enjoying their best ever season in the category and it is no coincidence that they have now broken into the winners circle and sit where they do in the championship.
Lightfoot is going great guns this season and he credits Jake Stoneman for much of this. 'I'm 47 years old and I am pretty proud of what I have achieved this season. My driving style has changed under Jakes influence. He talks to me before every race and my engineer gives me comments via Jake during a race. I think the fact he has taken Chris Pither to both the New Zealand and Australian titles says a lot about the guy."
Ward also attributes much of his success to Kirks input. "I call him the car whisperer." "They (the Stonemans) have given me a car I can drive. I have always had a good solid mechanical package but they have given me something I can drive and turn. They are very clever. They give me little tips like at Teretonga they were telling where to start and to stay off the white lines - that type of thing. When I was chasing Geoff (Spencer) at Teretonga they were telling me to calm down. They will cast an eye and help anyone in the right direction."
Kirk Stoneman has been involved in motorsport for 35 years and says Jake was brought up to it. "Jake could jump in one of these and be a frontrunner and he can engineer them as well. That is rare. We also have an understanding of suspension, the importance of which is not always appreciated. Basically we are just passing on the things we have learnt the hard way."
Hanley won the round at Teretonga last weekend while Lightfoot and Ward both took their maiden race wins. The result means Hanley has closed to within 21 points of championship leader Waite as the two young guns of the category come to Timaru. The one disadvantage Hanley has this weekend is that he has never competed at Timaru before - a mishap on a Queenstown adventure activity ended his season prior to the South Canterbury round last
