V8 Ute stars stand tall on 2012 Bathurst 1000 Podium

Last weekends Bathurst 1000 was a testament to the development of the Australian V8 Ute Racing Series as a talent pool for V8 Supercar driving talent.

13 drivers out of the 29 teams competing had V8 Ute Racing experience and two finished on the Bathurst 1000 podium.

Two-time V8 Ute Champion (2002/03) Warren Luff claimed third overall in the race, alongside Bathurst legend, Craig Lowndes.

I had some great times racing in the V8 Utes and it was awesome to be back in a Ute at the beginning of the year when I steered the Auto One Wildcard entry in Adelaide. The Series really was the beginning of my professional racing career and to take home two back-to-back titles is still a highlight. To be on the Bathurst podium though was one of the best feelings Ive ever had, and to win with Craig (Lowndes) at Sandown definitely topped it all. The V8 Ute Series is a great place to learn how to race and Id recommend it to any driver starting out, said Luff.

2011 Auto One Wildcard driver Dean Canto was another podium finisher, crossing the line in second place with teammate David Reynolds.  Canto raced in the V8 Ute series very early in his career (2002), and backed up again last year as the Wildcard driver for Townsville.

Although he had one podium under his belt for the weekend (3rd in Round 5 of the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Seriesprotected by Armor All), current V8 Ute driver Cameron McConville was just outside the podium in the Great Race, finishing fourth overall with James Courtney in the Toll/HRT Commodore, after running third for most of the last 20 laps.

Reining V8 Ute Champion Chris Pither shared the Wilson Security V8 Supercar with David Wall and finished an impressive 14th overall. He also believes the V8 Ute series is a great stepping stone for young drivers with his Ice Break Racing Scholarship.

I started the scholarship to give young drivers a chance. The V8 Utes series was the beginning of my professional motor racing career, so I thought it was a perfect place to help start someone elses. Jesse Dixon was testament to this, winning the Shannons Supercar Showdown this year and getting a chance to race in the Bathurst 1000, said Pither.

Jesse was one of the lucky recipients of the Chris Pitherpowered by Ice Break Scholarship competing in two rounds this season. The experience gave him the chance to be recognised by Kelly Racing, and signed to compete in the 7Mate Shannons Supercar Showdown, which he went on to win. The Gold Coaster won a drive in the Bathurst 1000 alongside 2011 winner Cameron Waters, and went on to finish in the top 20.

It was such a great experience. We just wanted to finish and we did. I wouldnt have had any of it without the help of Chris and Ice Break Racing. The V8 Utes is such a great category and I enjoyed every minute of racing in the Series and to race at Bathurst was my ultimate dream, I still cant believe that it has come true, said Dixon.

2003 season competitor Allan Simonsen drove with Steven Johnson in the Jim Beam Racing Falcon and came home in 17th, ahead of 2011/12 Auto One Wildcard driver Tim Blanchard who finished 18th with Todd Kelly.

Former Ute drivers Luke Youlden, Steve Owen and Paul Morris also competed in the 50th running of the Great Race.  Youlden and partner Shane van Gisbergen came home in 12th, whist Owen and teammate Morris were unfortunate to DNF after hitting the Wall at Griffins bend mid-race. 2005 V8 Ute Rookie of the Year James Moffat, finished 10th for Dick Johnson Racing.

Other drivers from the V8 Ute Racing Series to race in V8 Supercars over the years include: iNathan Pretty, Andrew Fisher, David Sieders, Ryan Hansford, Gary Baxter, Gary MacDonald, George Miedecke, TV Presenter Grant Denyer, Marcus Zukanovic, Nandi Kiss and Damien White.

The V8 Utes will be back on track in a weeks time at the Armor All Gold Coast 600. To catch up with all the action of Round 5 of the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Seriesprotected by Armor All tune in to Network Seven this Saturday from 1:30pm (Check Local Guides).


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