The 2009 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series can now be viewed through free to air TV on New Zealand’s TV3. 

All eight rounds will be televised on TV3 throughout the year with the first round, (Clipsal 500) going to air this weekend, Sunday, 14th June at 4:00pm.

 “It’s fantastic that we have picked up free to air on TV3. The Aussie V8 Ute Series has a great following in New Zealand and we have had some fairly quick Kiwis in series over the years, including Chris Pither, Colin Corkery and John McIntyre,” explained V8 Ute category manager Bill West.

“This along with our TV deal through MOTORS TV Europe and Fox Sports gives the V8 Utes Series significant worldwide exposure.”

The New Zealand ENZED V8 Ute Series launched in 2007, expanding the appeal of the Ute style of racing across the Tasman.

A Trans Tasman Challenge is currently in the planning process for later this year, before a return bout in 2010. The inaugural Trans Tasman Challenge held at Manfeild on New Zealand’s North Island in 2006 was a great success delivering Manfeild its largest one day crowd since the 1987 round of the World Superbike Championship.

Below is the 2009 Schedule for the V8 Utes screenings:

 DATE  COVERAGE  TIMESunday, 14th June                                        Aussie V8 UTES - ROUND ONE (Clipsal 500)                                                                                                         4:00PMSunday, 28th June Aussie V8 UTES - ROUND TWO (Winton Raceway) 4:00PMSunday, 5th July Aussie V8 UTES - ROUND THREE (Symmons Plains) 4:00PMSunday, 19th July Aussie V8 UTES - ROUND FOUR (Hidden Valley) 4:00PMSunday, 16th August Aussie V8 UTES - ROUND FIVE (Townsville 400) 3:30PMSunday, 20th September                          Aussie V8 UTES - ROUND SIX (Sandown) 4:00PMSunday, 1st November Aussie V8 UTES - ROUND SEVEN (Bathurst 1000) 4:00PMSunday, 20th December Aussie V8 UTES - ROUND EIGHT (Sydney 400) 3:30PM

Round four of the V8 Utes will be raced at Hidden Valley Raceway, 19 – 21st July