Sieders, who started from pole, had a cautious start to his maiden V8 Ute race, trailing 2007 champion Grant Johnson for the first three laps, before a brave pass gave him the lead, and ultimately the win.

"Being my first Ute race, I thought I would hold back a little for a few laps and get a feel for ute racing conditions, concentrating on keeping it straight and off the walls," Sieders said.

"Not only was I able to take out the race win on debut, but there's barely a scratch apart from Johnson's little tap in the rear when I passed him, which almost spun me around.

With the Ute Series rewar- ding both qualifying and race results, Sieders' pole position and race win scored the maximum 72 points to take the early championship lead from Johnson (66) and defending champion Jack Elsegood (59).

"It's the perfect start to the season, the car is obviously quick, and it's great to have the results right from the start of the year," Sieders said.

The other two Sieders Racing utes of Andrew Fisher and Ben Dunn also recorded strong results, finishing the drivers' component of the weekend in fifth and ninth respectively.

SRT's great weekend continued in Sunday's 10th Ann- iversary Legends Exhibition co-driver race when Fisher and Rick Bates took the chequered flag, with Ben and Colin Dunn third and Sieders and FPV general manager Rod Barrett eighth.

"What a week," team manager Luke Sieders said.

"We only tested two cars last week, as Dave's ute didn't arrive until the start of this week, but we've had a taste of the podium from all three combinations.

"Three races and we have come away with three podiums, including two wins, two more for the round, and Dave got the maximum points available.

"There's not too many more ways you could want to start a season."