down to an actioned packed V8 Ute round at Adelaide In one week from today, the sound of roaring engines, the smell of burning rubber and the feeling of high octane adrenalin will be screeching round the streets of Adelaide for the Clipsal 500 and Round One of the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series.
There are plenty of new frontrunners and rookies in the V8 Utes this year not to mention the old rivalry continuing on from a rip roaring 06 Series.
Rhys Hansford, son of racing legend Greg Hansford will be taking up the seat of the Poolrite Ford BF Falcon XR8, whilst fellow rookie and team mate Michael Bartsch formerly of Aussie Racings Cars is also running a Ford BF under the WPR Racing banner.
The podium placing for Round One could go in so many different directions it’s virtually impossible to predict but either way it’s sure to be a closely fought out and exciting start to the Series.
Andrew Fisher of Jesus Racing won rookie of the year in 2007, cementing his place as a frontrunner for 2008. Whilst, George Miedecke from Port Macquarie narrowly missed the rookie title to Canberra’s Fisher, Miedecke managed to improve over every race last year making him yet another fire starter for the grid of the full 32 car field.
New Zealander Colin Corkery faced a lot of bad luck during his rookie time in 07 but with the knowledge and experience now on most Australian tracks that he lacked last year expect to see podium finishes throughout 08.
Sydneysider Scott Jennings is always on the pace when he steps in a Ute; problem is he hasn’t yet had a proper chance to stretch his legs, so with new sponsor Bad Boy Power Drink on board for the full series this year Jennings will only improve with each race and most likely score a top ten finish at the Clipsal 500. Rumour is American professional basketball player ‘Bad Boy’ Dennis Rodman will support Jennings at the Eastern Creek race for Round Two of the Series.
Determined to finish ahead of Jennings is South Australian Craig Dontas, who in a battle of the energy drinks is welcoming new sponsor Roaring Lion.
Building on the Adelaide representation is Charlie Kovacs and Gary Baxter who both faced major disappointment at the Clipsal 500 last year, with Kovacs caught up in a major crash and Baxter suffering a blown engine. Both Holden drivers will be aiming for the opposite result and hope to start the series on a high.
Darwin talent, Layton Crambrook of Lamont Constructions Racing won 2 of 3 races at the Clipsal 500 last year, something of a feat considering it was his first ever time in a V8 Ute. Expect big things again from the Ford BF driver at the Adelaide track this year.
Reigning V8 Ute Champion Grant Johnson of Perth will be back in the number 1 Holden SS Commodore VE Ute attempting to take out the title for a second consecutive year. Keeping him from doing this will be 2006 nemesis Jack Elsegood the former NRL Roosters Player who also returns for another shot at the overall Series win, making this Elsegood’s seventh year going for the title.
Fellow Sandgroper Glenn McNally will certainly be one to watch at the Adelaide street circuit. Steering a Holden SS VU, which happens to be Johnson’s 2006 Championship winning Ute, McNally has big shoes to fill. If previous results are anything to go by he is sure to live up to expectation. After only ever racing one round in the category before, which took place at Phillip Island last year the rookie made a huge impression for his first time in a Ute finishing 7th overall for the round.
Gary MacDonald is back with vengeance this year after taking something of a sabbatical from racing in 2006 and 2007. He has a three-year history of V8 Utes campaigning, predominantly with Kanga Loaders backing, with very satisfying results including an impressive 2nd overall in the Series in 2003 (1st in five races, 2nd in the other three), a 3rd overall finish in 2002 and 4th in 2001.
Brock Race Engineering will be running the number 42 Kanga Loaders Ute, with MacDonald’s former V8 Ute and V8 Supercar experience combined with Brock’s engineering knowledge you can be sure to see this Holden VE Ute running at the pointy end of the field.
The V8 Racing Utes will appear on track for the first time this year with two practice sessions on Thursday February 21, followed by Qualifying and Race One on Friday, the top sixteen reverse grid Race Two on Saturday concluding with the third and final race on Sunday February 24.
Don’t miss the 2008 Series driver introduction and Holden VE launch hosted by Roaring Lion Energy Drink and taking place at the Alma Tavern in Adelaide on Wednesday February 20. There’ll be a V8 Supercar simulator, live entertainment, drink specials and prize giveaways.
