About the Track:Circuit length: 2.41kmTurns: 7 (seven); including its tight hairpin bend at the end of the front straight.
1) The V8 Utes will return to Symmons Plains after a three year absence, making this the fourth time throughout the 12 year history that they have raced in Tasmania, other years include; 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009.
2) Grant "Mad Dog" Denyer held the first lap record at Symmons Plains set in Race 1 in 2004 but was soon broken by Marcus "Mayhem" Zukanovic in Race 2 and again in Race 3 at the same event. The current lap record was set in 2009 by former V8 Ute Champion Layton Crambrook in a Ford XR8 BF in a time of 1:03.3096.
3) Layton "Leadfoot" Crambrook had almost a full sweep of the field in 2009 claiming the Armor All Pole Award, Race 1 and Race 3, which cemented his title on the podium. This also made Crambrook the most successful V8 Ute driver at Symmons Plains ahead of Marcus Zukanovic. The two have both won the round twice with two Pole Awards; however Crambrook has won four races compared to Zukanovic who has won two.
4) Rookie Kris Walton is currently leading the Series ahead of Ryal Harris and Andrew Fisher, Walton's teammate Ryan Hansford is in (4th). Fisher will be one to watch posting the fourth fasted time in the field in 2009 and claiming second overall for the round.
5) Nathan Pretty (Monster Energy) is currently the highest placed Holden in the field (5th) and will be looking to outrace rivals Kim Jane (Bob Jane T-Marts) and Sage Automations Gary Baxter, who both have significant experience at Symmons Plains. Both drivers have been on podium before, Jane at the V8 Utes first appearance at the track in 2004 and Baxter in both 2005 and 2007.
6) This will be Warren Millets second time competing at Symmons Plains, although he missed 2009 while recovering from a Brain Tumor and head mechanic Matt Holt stepped in to drive the Wake-up Holden.
7) Locals include: former V8 Supercar driver Sam Walton (Hobart), Joshua Burdon (Berriedale) and Greg Crick (Launceston) who will steer the Auto One Wildcard. Crick will be the 10th driver to step behind the wheel of the #100 Auto One Wildcard Ute others include: Charlie O'Brien (Clipsal 2011), Marcus Marshall (Barbagallo 2011), Tim Blanchard (Darwin 2011), Dean Canto (Townsville 2011), Marcus Zukanovic (Bathurst 2011), David Besnard (Gold Coast 2011), Tony Longhurst (Sandown 2011), Adam Macrow (Sydney 2011) and Warren Luff at the Clipsal 500 this year.
8) The Ford FG will race at Symmons Plains for the first time debuting at Round 1 in Adelaide. There will be an additional three FG's on the track including; Peter Burnitt, Jason Gomersall, Danny Buzadzic (who raced the James Brock Holden in Adelaide.) Ryal Harris will switch cars with Jeremy Gray, and drive the Big Gun Racing prepared FG. Other drivers in Ford FG's include: David Sieders, Jack Elsegood, Ben Kavich, Kris Walton and Ryan Hansford.
9) Half of the V8 Ute field (16 drivers) have never raced a V8 Ute at Symmons Plains before: they include: Rhys McNally, Jake McNally, Danny Buzadzic, Greg Crick, Warren Millet, Kris Walton, Cameron McConville, Nathan Pretty, Gerard McLeod, Jesse Dixon, Phonsy Mullan, Sam Walter, Joshua Burdon, David Sieders, Jeremy Gray and Ryan Hansford.
Locals Burdon, Crick and Walter have raced at Symmons many times in other models. Crick raced against Pretty in the former GT Series (Nation Cup) in 2003. They both raced against legend Peter Brock that weekend Pretty outdrove both of them in his Holden Monaro claiming second in Race 1 and first in Race 2.
Pretty, Sieders and McConville have all raced at Symmons in a V8 Supercar.
McConville began his motor sport career at Symmons Plains in a Formula Ford when he was just 17 and in 1999 he raced his first ever V8 Supercar race at the Tasmanian track with HRT.
10) Red Ass Mexican Foods backed Ben Dunn will celebrate his 100th Race at Symmons Plains, the same track he debuted on in 2005. Over the years, the Sydney based businessman has shared the drive with father Colin who raced the Ute at Symmons in 2007.
11) New to the field this round are locals Walter and Crick as well as Hayley Swanson the fourth female to ever race a V8 Ute, and Jesse Dixon who will debut the Chris Pither Scholarship in the Ice Break Holden VE.
12) Race 2 will be aired from Symmons Plains in the Raceday Xtra telecast on Saturday, 31st March and will go to air at 3:45pm AEDT.
Point System: The V8 Utes point system: has been modified for 2012. The new system will award the top three place getters with bonus points. First place will receive 35 points, second place 33 points, third place 31 points and fourth place 29 points; it then reduces one point for every position to 32nd place.
The determination of the Grids will be the same as 2011. Race 1 Grid is determined by Qualifying. Race 2 grid is determined by a random ballot drawn by the Race 1 winner. The number that is drawn is the number of Utes that will be reversed on the grid for that race. The Grid for Race 3 will not include the points achieved in Qualifying but will be determined by the combined points earned in Race 1 and Race 2 only. The grid for Race 4 will be progressive from the finishing positions of Race 3.
Past Winners:20091) Layton "Leadfoot" Crambrook (Ford XR8 BF)2) Andrew "Fishtail" Fisher (Ford XR8 BF)3) Stephen "Robbo" Robinson (Ford XR8 BF)
20071) Layton "Leadfoot" Crambrook (Ford XR8 BF)2) Gary "Chuckie" Baxter (Holden VY)3) Jack "The Hustler" Elsegood (Ford XR8 BF)
20051) Marcus "Mayhem" Zukanovic (Ford)2) Rod "Rocket" Wilson (Holden VZ)3) Gary "Chuckie" Baxter (Holden VZ)
20041) Marcus "Mayhem" Zukanovic (Ford XR8)2) Grant "Mad dog" Denyer (Ford XR8)3) Kim "The Assassin" Jane (Holden SS)
