V8 Ute Racing Series
 | |
| Category | Pickup truck racing |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia and New Zealand |
| Inaugural season | 2001 |
| Folded | 2017 |
| Constructors | Ford Australia Holden |
| Engine suppliers | Ford and Holden |
| Tyre suppliers | Yokohama |
| Last Drivers' champion | Kim Jane |
| Official website | V8 Utes Australia |
TheV8 Ute Racing Series,known originally as theV8 BRute Uteswas an Australian motor racing series forutilities,derived from theAustralian Production Car Championship.It was conceived in 2000 byPROCARchief and owner Ross Palmer, V8 Ute Patron Ian McAlister and Procar employee Craig Denyer and launched March 2001, as V8 Brute Utes, at theClipsal 500in Adelaide. The series was instantly popular, in part because of aggressive driving style of competitors, a style encouraged by the use ofreverse grid racing,but also because of its very fan friendly marketing which included gimmicks like referring to each of its drivers by a nickname.
For most, V8 Utes Racing Series entry was via a franchise, which had been limited to 32 in number, 16 specifically to beFord Falcon (Australia)XR8 Utes, 16Holden Utes.All the rounds were shared withSupercars Championship,Australia's top motorsport championship.
Holden driver Rod Wilson was the inaugural series winner. Sydney's Warren Luff, took back to back victories in 2002 and 2003. Holden again returned to form in 2004 withDamien Whitetaking the series title, before defecting to Ford and taking the title again in 2005 by a narrow margin to Melbourne's Marcus Zukanovic.
Ryal Harris is the series most successful driver, becoming the first three-time series winner in 2015. Luff and White have each won two titles.
The series covered eight rounds at various tracks throughout Australia. The reverse grid racing format was extremely popular with the race fans. Drivers have included former Australian NASCAR champion Kim Jane, actor George Elliot, country music singerAdam Brand,television hostGrant Denyer,driving instructor Gary Baxter, formerWaratahsandAustralian Sevensrugby union playerBen Dunn,formerManly Sea EaglesandSydney RoostersNational Rugby LeagueplayerJack Elsegoodwho was also the 2009 series winner, and former Supercar driversCameron McConvilleandNathan Pretty.
The Ford Falcon utility ceased production in 2016, the best year in racing, and the Holden Ute ceased production in 2017. As a consequence moves began to wrap the series up at the end of 2016, but the replacement, theSuperUtes Serieswas not ready for a 2017 launch. SuperUtes, featuring turbo diesel powered dual-cab Utility vehicles, launched in 2018.
The V8 Ute Racing Series was in most part successful given it was professionally managed by Category Management company SPHERIX. A Partnership formed by Bill West and Craig Denyer.
Series winners
[edit]
- V8 Ute Racing Series
| Year | Winner | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Rod Wilson | Holden SS Ute |
| 2002 | Warren Luff | Ford Falcon Ute |
| 2003 | Warren Luff | Ford Falcon Ute |
| 2004 | Damien White | Holden SS Ute |
| 2005 | Damien White | Ford Falcon Ute |
| 2006 | Marcus Zukanovic | Ford Falcon Ute |
| 2007 | Grant Johnson | Holden SS Ute |
| 2008 | Layton Crambrook | Ford Falcon Ute |
| 2009 | Jack Elsegood | Ford Falcon Ute |
| 2010 | Grant Johnson | Holden SS Ute |
| 2011 | Chris Pither | Holden SS Ute |
| 2012 | Ryal Harris | Ford Falcon Ute |
| 2013 | Ryal Harris | Ford Falcon Ute |
| 2014 | Kris Walton | Ford Falcon Ute |
| 2015 | Ryal Harris | Ford Falcon Ute |
| 2016 | David Sieders[1] | Holden SS Ute |
| 2017 | Kim Jane | Holden SS Ute |
- Summer Series
| Year | Winner | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Grant Denyer | Ford Falcon Ute |
Multiple Winners
[edit]Drivers
[edit]| Wins | Driver | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 3 |  Ryal Harris
|
2012-2013, 2015 |
| 2 | Grant Johnson
|
2007, 2010 |
| Warren Luff
|
2002-2003 | |
| Damien White
|
2004-2005 |
Manufacturer
[edit]| Wins | Manufacturer | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Ford | |
| 7 | Holden |