Blue Mountains-based Sieders Racing Team is preparing to make history yet again this weekend, when they return to the infamous Mount Panorama Circuit with their pioneering entry into the Armour All Bathurst 12 Hour Showroom Enduro, 12-14th February 2010.
Having debuted two drivers in last years’ V8 Supercar Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, with an Enduro WildCard, Sieders Racing Team has this time been selected to roll-out the first ever Ford FG XR8 Ute race car, which will replace the current BF model in the Yokohama V8 Ute Series from 2011.
“We have fitted the FG out with all of the V8 Ute Series’ componentry, thanks to our partners,” said Yokohama V8 Ute Category Director, Craig Denyer, “it will be interesting to see how competitive it is against the other Utes”
. “Bathurst is the ultimate enduro test, so this will be a great shake down prior to the FG being introduced next year.”Taking delivery of the chassis only two weeks ago, Sieders Racing Team has been working hard to prepare the car, following the initial roll cage development and installation by Paul Ceprnich, who was largely responsible for the FG V8 Supercar program.“The build is going well and we’ve been posting the progress on our Twitter and Facebook sites, which has sparked a lot of interest,” said Sieders Racing’s Team Manager, Luke Sieders.
Spearheading the FG’s debut race is V8 Ute Board Member (Ford), Ben Dunn, who is expecting to use the race as a development platform, and assist his regular campaign in the Yokohama V8 Ute Series, also prepared and managed by Sieders Racing Team.
“My main motivation is to get more laps on track, especially at the mountain,” said Dunn, “with the Ute Series moving forward, this should be a great boost as we usually get limited track time when we race with the Supercars”.
“It’s great to be a part of the FG development and debut, especially at Bathurst,” said Dunn, “Sieders have been as organised and hard working as they usually are, so when we are there at the 12 hour mark I would expect the FG to be well inside the top ten”.Sporting a striking light blue and white Ford and RockStar Energy Drink livery, Dunn will be joined by fellow Sieders Racing Team Driver, Andrew “Fishtail” Fisher, and Big Gun Racing’s Brad “Packer” Patton.
2010 marks the fourth year of the Armour All Bathurst 12 Hour Showroom Enduro, and boasts an entry list of 47 cars, from 12 manufacturers, as well as over 200 entrants across five support categories.
Practice for the 12 hour race commences at 9am on Friday 12th February, with qualifying in two parts from 1:30pm on Saturday before the main race starts at 6:30am on Sunday 14th February.
“Bathurst is by far the best test for any team and driver,” said Sieders, “there will be no greater demonstration of our abilities than putting the FG prototype through its paces for 12 hours”.
