Well, seven rounds have gone by in the Australian V8 Supercar series and it isn't really much of a surprise to see the two Toll HSV cars leading the way.

Showing the way...just like he did last year

Rick Kelly, the defending series Champion (who won the title without actually winning a round...go figure) was always going to be the one to beat this year and, up until last week, no one could match him. However, his teammate, Garth Tander, managed a series sweep last week at Queensland raceway while Rick missed out on a top three finish after having a shocker of a weekend by his own extraordinarily high standards. This meant that Garth was able to turn a points deficit to a slender lead going into round 8 in Sydney (which starts on August 17).

As the season kicks off its second half, here are the top ten in points;

1 - Garth Tander, 369 points (Holden)
2 - Rick Kelly, 359 points (Holden)
3 - Jamie Whincup, 285 points (Ford)
4 - Craig Lowndes, 263 points (Ford)
5 - Todd Kelly, 261 points (Holden)
6 - Mark Skaife, 249 points (Holden)
=7 - Will Davison, 172 points (Ford)
=7 - Mark Winterbottom, 172 points (Ford)
9 - James Courtney, 157 points (Ford)
10 - Russell Ingall, 155 points (Ford)

In that list there are 4 former Champions; Rick, Craig, Skaife and Russell and only three not to have won the prestigious Bathurst 1000; Will, Winterbottom and Courtney (who now drives the car vacated by NASCAR Busch driver Marcos Ambrose).

Is Whincup the best hope for Ford to wrestle the title back from Holden?

Rather interesting to note that, despite the dominance this year in terms of round wins by the Holden boys, there are six Fords in the top ten. Perhaps just as interesting is that the top six drivers are all in team order; the two Toll HSV cars, the two Team Vodafone boys and the two HRT cars.

But, naturally, that isn't the closest fought title race...no, that honour belongs to see who will win Miss V8 Supercar for 2007. Maybe I should change the title of this to 'Midriff-season review' instead.

Will Miss V8 2006 repeat this year?

They'll have a hard time trying to figure out a winner

Now, if only I could find where I sign up to be a judge...*sigh*