For A Place In V8 Supercar Test
The 2008 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series is heating up with the rookies not only racing for the V8 Ute Rookie of the Year title but for the first time ever, as part of the award, Racer Industries are offering the lucky winner a test in a V8 Supercar.Racer industries did the same thing with Lee Holdsworth, Steve Owen and Shane Price, giving them their first break testing in a V8 Supercar.
“We basically took them as young blokes and showed them what they need to do to drive one of the cars effectively” said Ryan McLeod Director of Racer Industries “We’ll be doing the same with the V8 Ute Rookie - Paul Morris will be overseeing the test and giving advice, offering the recipient a great mentoring opportunity.”
“The whole experience gives them invaluable miles in a car, because if they do ever get an opportunity to test for a main V8 Supercar team they generally only get 15 to 20 minuets to impress and without prior experience it can end in disaster.”
Racer Industries are offering 20 laps in a Paul Morris Motorsport spec V8 Supercar which ran in the Fujitsu Series last year. The test will take place at Queensland Raceway on a date yet to be determined.
Four drivers are in with a shot at the award including Poolrite supported Rhys Hansford, Michael Bartsch of Wollongong Performance Racing, New Zealander Matt Lockwood and West Australian Glenn McNally.
“This year has been a real struggle so far - the first two rounds have been tough because it’s a tough category and a tough series” explained Brisbane based Rhys, son of the late Greg Hansford “I think it will take a little bit longer to learn how the car is meant to be driven so for the time being my main focus is on just one round at a time.”
“I’m not going to rule it out though, I’d really like to win rookie of the year, it’s an achievable goal and the V8 Supercar test would be a bonus.”
Michael Bartsch of Wollongong Performance Racing proved he has potential, performing well at all times when he wasn’t plagued by mechanical issues, during the last round at Eastern Creek.
Matt Lockwood of Palmerston North had a stint in Steve Hodges’ old Holden VU at Eastern Creek last week to gain track time and experience before he starts the full NZ V8 Ute Racing Series this year. The first round of the New Zealand Series will be in Timaru from the 4th to the 6th of April. Lockwood isn’t planning to return to the Australian category therefore will be out of the running for the highly coveted Rookie V8 Supercar test prize.
Glen McNally of NRW Holdings Ltd is confident he has a good chance of taking out the award.
“I’ll be doing my best to make sure it happens and really looking forward to the test if it happens. Obviously I’m just going to take it one step at a time, but I’m always looking to progress and a test drive would be a great opportunity.”
Hi-Tech Motorsport team mate to McNally is none other than reigning Series champion Grant Johnson.
“After running in the series for a few years and now with a title win under his belt, Grant has got a lot of knowledge” said Holden driver McNally “its quite valuable having someone like him on the team, giving me tips along the way, any advantage is a good one.”
Glen McNally ran in Formula Ford for four years in Perth before his entry in the V8 Ute Series.
“After four years only competing in Barbagallo, it’s really good to be a part of a national category where I can travel and do different tracks” said McNally who is currently the highest ranked rookie in the series standings “There’s no doubt though that with four years of competing at Barbagallo up my sleave, both Grant and I, the West Australian boys, will have a definite advantage over the other competitors.”
Round Three taking place from May 9 to 11 will see the closely fought Holden versus Ford Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series venture to Perth for the first time ever.
All the action from Round Two of the V8 Ute Series at Eastern Creek will go to air on Saturday, March 22 at 1.30pm - 2.30pm on the Seven Network.
