Victorian fans will be happy to know the 2012 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by Armor All will still head to Winton Raceway this year; however the date has changed from August to November 18 - 20.
The Winton round was initially Round 5 of the Series, although due to the date change from V8 Supercar Events, it will now become the penultimate round which will make for a fierce battle at the only Victorian event.
This is the sixth time the V8 Utes have raced in Ned Kelly country, the first since 2010 and category manager, Bill West of SPHERIX is looking forward to another great event.
“We always enjoy going to Winton. It’s a beautiful part of the country and the track is exciting for the drivers and fans alike. We are expecting some great racing with the Series finale next on the agenda,” said West.
Three- time Winton podium winner, Gary “Chuckie” Baxter had his first race outside South Australia at Winton Raceway 33 years ago and with support from local Wayne Williams running his car, he feels right at home.
“It’s my home-base away from home. I was very happy to hear that Winton was back on the program this year. I hope to do pretty well; we were doing well in Darwin at the last round and are starting to come to grips with the car. I want to try and get another podium if we can. I really like tight circuits, I’ve raced there in both directions on a motorbike back in the 80’s when the track ran in a reversed direction, so I know the track pretty well,” said Baxter.
Baxter is one of six drivers to have won the Winton Round making the Raceway one of the only tracks that has posted a different round winner every time they’ve raced there. Other winners include; Grant Johnson (2010), Jack Elsegood (2009), Baxter (2008), Damien White (2004), David Griffith (2003) and Gary MacDonald who claimed the first Winton round in 2002.
The V8 Utes next round is at Mount Panorama, 4 – 7 October followed by Round 6 at the Armor All Gold Coast 600, 19 – 21 October.
The 2012 Series consists of 32 V8 Utes, 16 Fords and 16 Holden’s who battle it out through 26 races over eight rounds raced throughout Australia covering six states and one territory and is televised nationally through-out Australia on Network Seven and 7 Mate and internationally through Motors TV Europe, TV3 New Zealand and SPEED online in the USA.
