Former V8 Ute driver, George Miedecke has been announced as one of two development drivers in the NASCAR sprint cup Series in the same team that fields dual V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose.
George will join Coleman Pressley in the two-car Late Model outfit, which will be run from JTG Daugherty’s Charlotte, North Carolina base.
“It’s a huge opportunity,” George said. “I got together with Marcos (Ambrose) and his manager Trip Wheeler at the last V8 Ute race at Homebush, and we really got along. We talked about my ambition to come over to the states and since then we have been talking more and more.
For it to end up with an opportunity like this is just fantastic and I want to thank him for his efforts – it’s very rare to be presented with a break like this and I’m excited to have a chance to reward his, Jodi and Tad’s (JTG team owners) faith in me this year.”
In between his busy NASCAR schedule Miedecke has found time to come back to his roots and join in the celebration of his beloved V8 Utes 10th year as a legend in the “Ten Years of Legends Race”, which will coincide with Round 1 of the 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by Armor All. Miedecke will drive with new-comer Jeremy Gray in his former Ford BF V8 Ute, which he drove to victory at the Sydney Telstra 500 last December.
“I’m looking forward to coming back. The Utes are great and I can’t deny they were a massive start to my motorsport career. The series has taught me great racecraft and has really set me up for this opportunity. It will also be a lot of fun to race against my Dad Andrew who has always helped me with my racing,” said Miedecke.
Andrew Miedecke will race alongside one of George’s old rivals and reigning V8 Ute Champion, Jack “The Hustler” Elsegood.
“It will be great to race against George. I’ve been coaching from the side for many years now so it will be good to see how it’s paid off. It will be good fun,” said Andrew
Andrew and George will not be the only father and son on track in Adelaide. Although they won’t be competing against each other but as a team, Charlie “Handlebars” Kovacs will race with son Charlie Jnr.
Kovacs’ son, Charlie Jnr will be racing as the legend, however Mr “Handlebars” is the true V8 Ute legend and will be celebrating his own 10th anniversary at the Clipsal event being the only driver to have raced in every V8 Ute Racing Series.
“It will be a proud moment for father and son. I wouldn’t have put him in the car unless I knew he had the ability to do well and we plan to do really well. I like Clipsal, I’ve unfortunately been caught up in a few incidences there over the years but I’m looking forward to a great weekend,” said Kovacs Snr.
Other legends include:Rick Bates - Rally LegendSteve Owen - Fujitsu Series and Supercar LegendLeanne Tander - Female motorsport and F3 legendRod Wilson - Inaugural V8 Ute 2001 winner Marcus Zukanovic - Former V8 Ute championStephen Bradbury - Olympic Gold Medalist LegendRobbie Maddison - Stunt Riding LegendJames Brock - Son of a Legend/Team Brock won the V8 Ute Series in 2004 with Damien White.Chris Pither - NZ HQ Champion and currently leading New Zealand V8 Ute SeriesMatt Lockwood - Reigning New Zealand V8 Ute Champion.Chris Smerdon - Original V8 Ute series driver/ 2009 V8 Touring Car Challenge Legend. Charlie O’Brien – Former Touring Car and Nascar driverTony Longhurst – Two time Bathurst 1,000 winner, Super Touring Championship winner and Bathurst 12 Hour winner,Luke Youlden – Former V8 Ute driver, Formula Ford and V8 Supercar driver.
The “Ten Years of Legends Race”, is a two driver format and a celebration of the V8 Utes tenth year. Each driver will have 1 practice, 1 qualifying and 1 race with the final race a two driver format with mid race driver change. The Race will be televised in a 1 hour live package on Network Seven, Sunday, 14 March.
The V8 Utes had their inaugural race at the Clipsal 500 in 2001 and have competed at the Adelaide street race every year since.
