V8 Ute Racing Series
Ford Australia Holden | |
Engine suppliers | Ford and Holden |
---|---|
Tyre suppliers | Yokohama |
Last Drivers' champion | Kim Jane |
Official website | V8 Utes Australia |
The V8 Ute Racing Series, known originally as the V8 BRute Utes was an Australian motor racing series for
For most, V8 Utes Racing Series entry was via a franchise, which had been limited to 32 in number, 16 specifically to be Ford Falcon (Australia) XR8 Utes, 16 Holden Utes. All the rounds were shared with Supercars 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 with Damien White taking 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 singer
The Ford Falcon utility ceased production in 2016 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, the SuperUtes Series was 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
- 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
Drivers
Wins | Driver | Years |
---|---|---|
3 | Ryal Harris | 2012-2013, 2015 |
2 | Grant Johnson | 2007, 2010 |
Warren Luff | 2002-2003 | |
Damien White | 2004-2005 |
Manufacturer
Wins | Manufacturer | Years |
---|---|---|
10 | Ford | |
7 | Holden |