Two Ute franchises have just changed hands in the Yokohama V8 Utes Racing Series. Car #45 formerly owned by Darren Palmer has just been sold to Ideal Electrical driver, Peter Burnitt and Matt Kingsley’s car #50 has just been bought by David Wimmer.

Palmer’s Ute has been driven this year by Rhys Hansford, son of the late Gregg Hansford and Paul Williams. Hansford had his best result recently at Winton and is keen to continue in the series, although now looking for another drive.

With Darren Palmer opting to pursue a racing career in America, the decision was made to put the Ute and franchise on the market. Palmer has however just announced his plans to drive the car at Bathurst..

Burnitt is unsure who will be driving his car after Bathurst but is looking for someone full-time next year.

“I don’t know about next year, however we will lease a few drives for this year as there are a number of drivers interested so we will just have to wait and see,” Burnitt said.

Matt Kingsley, still recovering from a major accident that occurred at the Clipsal 500 race in Adelaide earlier in the year decided with his family that more recovery time was needed before he could step back behind the wheel competitively, therefore the team elected to put the new VE Holden on the market.

“Matt’s accident in Adelaide was significant and we believe it is in his interests to take the time necessary to make a full recovery, rather than be forced to return earlier. We have reluctantly put the ute on the market, while we re-group and consider a return for the full series next year,” explained Matt’s father Don Kingsley.

The deal was quickly snapped up by the Queensland based Wimmer family with David’s son Kurt ready to get back into racing after some time off.

“Kurt really hasn’t raced for four years, and the opportunity to race at Queensland Raceway recently in Scott Jennings VE Ute rekindled his competitive flame. He did well and we were looking for a way to get into some form of racing and when the Kingsley Ute came up – it was literally on the market for only a couple of hours – we snapped it up.”

 “We are looking forward to driving it for the first time at Mt Panorama” Wimmer said.

Both cars will take to the track with their new drivers for the first time at Bathurst, Thursday, 10th October for Round 7 of the Yokohama V8 Ute Series.