Eighteen year old Adam Marjoram will take the reins of the Auto One Wildcard Ute for Round 3 of the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series - protected by Armor All, at his home track at Barbagallo Raceway, 4 - 6 May.The teenager has recently been mentored by two time Bathurst winner Steven Richards and V8 Supercar driver Karl Reindler.
"He has (Reindler) acted like a bit of a mentor for me over the years. He's a great bloke, and I've been out training with him and his girlfriend a few times now," said Marjoram.
Marjoram has had nine years of Karting, and in recent years has driven a Saloon Car, claimed 1st in the Sports Cars class, 2nd outright in the 2011 Wanneroo 300 and 1st in the Marque Sports Cars class in the 2011 Night Masters.
Last weekend, the Western Australian University Student drove in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Mallala Raceway, and although he has only had one test in a V8 Ute, (Ryal Harris and Kim Jane,) he understands the challenge behind a new car.
"I'm coming out of a Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Car with a fair bit of down-force and grip, so it could be an interesting adaption to the Ute. They are a lot different to the Porsche, I raced a saloon car for 5 race meetings last year, which is similar but it's all a learning experience," said Marjoram.
Although he lacks in V8 Ute experience, he is hoping that racing on his home-track will give him an advantage.
"I've done a few laps around there but in different categories, a home track advantage is a home track advantage, I hope it does put me in good stead," said Marjoram.
The Williams Race Tech prepared Auto One Wildcard Ute has had a make-over after its last outing at Symmon's Plains, receiving a brand new Cragsted prepared engine for the Perth round. The Auto One store employee is looking forward to taking the opportunity.
"I'm really looking forward to racing. It's another category to race in and more experience to gain. Plus the home crowd make the first event a more surreal experience. Hopefully I can adapt a knowledge of the track to a Ute and try to do as well as I can. It will be a bit of a transition from the Porsche," explained Marjoram.
Majoram's selection for the drive fits perfectly in line with the Auto One Wildcard philosophy of, where possible, giving up and coming racers the opportunity to prove their talents on the main stage, as well giving well known drivers a run in the series as a bonus for the V8 Ute fan base.He will join a long line of drivers to have driven the Auto One Wildcard Ute and will take the reins from Greg Crick (Symmons Plains 2012) and Warren Luff (Clipsal 500 2012) other drivers include; Charlie O'Brien (Clipsal 500 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).The 2012 Series consists of 25 races over eight rounds raced throughout Australia covering six states and one territory and is televised nationally through-out Australia on Network Seven and 7 Mate, and internationally through Motors TV Europe, TV3 New Zealand and SPEED online in the USA.
