V8 Utes Back on Track in Adelaide

V8 Utes are thrilled to announce their return to the Clipsal 500 event to be held in Adelaide, 19 – 22 March, which will kick off Round One of the 2009 Yokohama V8 Utes Racing Series.

The Utes had their very first race at the Clipsal 500 in 2001 and have launched into their first Series round at the Adelaide Parklands Circuit every year since.

Bill West, of V8 Ute category manager SPHERIX, said he was ecstatic that the Utes are back at their most historic track.

“It’s fantastic that we can keep up the tradition of the Clipsal 500 being our first race of the season as the teams and drivers love coming here and being part of the awesome atmosphere,” he said.

“The crowds love the Utes and always make us feel very welcome and give us plenty of support both in the paddock on the track and around town.”

“The team at the Australian Tourism Award winning Clipsal 500 always put on such a great event and it is a privilege to once again be a part of this exhilarating event.”

The Utes have proven their talent time and time again at the Adelaide circuit with a lap record being broken almost every year with the exception of 2004, where local South Australian Holden hero, Gary “Chuckie” Baxter held onto his 2003 record for two consecutive years in a time of 1:40.527.

Coopers Pale Ale Ford driver, Jack “The Hustler” Elsegood holds the current track record in a time of 1:38.16, which he set in Race Two in 2008 before being involved in a spectacular Race 3 turn one accident with Matt Kingsley and local Adelaide driver, Craig Dontas.

Another South Australian local, Charlie “Handlebars” Kovacs will be keen to get back in front of a home crowd after he celebrates his 200th Race at Oran Park in December.

Other drivers who have competed at the Clipsal 500 event in a V8 Ute are; Grant Denyer, James Brock, Marcus Zukanovic, Allan Grice, Warren Luff, country singer Adam Brand and Damien White, who has been on the podium five of the six years that he competed at Clipsal, making him the most successful V8 Ute driver at this prestigious Adelaide event.

The final round for the 2008 season will be held at Oran Park, 5 – 7 December. Race Two will be televised live on the Seven Network, Saturday 6th December at 2pm EST.


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