It's a new season and a new make for Dave "Sideways" Sieders, but it will be a former teammate that will be providing major support in his bid to win the 2015 Australian V8 Ute Racing Series, starting in Adelaide this weekend, 26th February - 1st March.
The three-time Series runner-up will debut his Holden Commodore this week, with a livery akin to the one he ran at the Homebush round of the 2012 season, as Yanis Derums' Mango Credit takes on the Major Partnership with Sieders for 2015.
"Yanis has been a long term supporter of mine, and he has really stepped up to the mark this year and I'm proud to be representing his Mango Credit brand for 2015," said Sieders, "We've come so close to the Championship every year, so hopefully we can bring it home and reward Yanis for backing us".
"Not only is it great to have Mango Credit on board as a brand, but it certainly helps to be heading into a season knowing that we're not going to have to spend our time between rounds chasing extra support and so we can just focus on racing and hunting down that Championship title."
Mango Credit is a short-term equity-based commercial lender that has been in operation for over 10 years with caveat loans for business, investment and personal purposes; Owner Yanis "Excalibur" Derums competed in the V8 Ute Series from 2005-2013, and raced with Sieders Racing between 2011-2013.
"The V8 Ute Series attracts a very strong and loyal fan base, and is a great platform for our brand to further promote itself," said Derums, "We've known the Sieders family for quite a while, and I guess if you're going to get good brand exposure, backing a Series contender like Dave is an easy decision."
Sieders had his first full test in his new SS Commodore on Thursday, 19th February at Sydney Motorsport Park, with the 30 year-old from Western Sydney very happy with the challenge and progress made throughout the sessions.
"I was probably a little quieter than normal as I was really focussed on working out exactly what I needed from the guys to get it to go quicker," said Sieders, "by the end of the day, after all the tweaks and on old rubber, we were hundredths off our times on the green tyres so I'm pretty happy about the day, and hopefully we can get the results in the Holden like we did in the Fords."
The Australian V8 Ute Racing Series will feature as part of the V8 Supercar's new television package, with all sessions shown live on Foxtel, and the opening round will feature a qualifying session followed by a shootout for the top driver of each make, with all Fords to line one side of the grid and Holdens on the other based upon which driver / make snares pole, and will see progressive race grids for the weekend.
"The V8 Utes are definitely a fan favourite for the entertainment value they bring, and this Ford versus Holden grid format will certainly be different," said Sieders, "we've started on the front row at Adelaide every year so far, and if we finish qualifying in P2, we'll just be hoping it's a Ford in front to maintain that record".
The 2015 Australian V8 Ute Racing Series kicks off at the Adelaide Parklands Circuit on Thursday with two practice sessions before Qualifying at 2.05pm, with race one on Friday at 2.20pm, race two on Saturday at 10.45am and the final race of the weekend at 9am on Sunday (all times shown are local to Adelaide).
All sessions will be shown live on Fox Sports and all three races will be shown as live on Network 10.
"Adelaide is one of my favourite circuits, and one I've had some of my best result, so I enjoy starting the season there every year, and I'm pretty excited that the new television package will allow our friends and families back home to see the whole weekend as well."
