The 2013 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Seriesprotected by Armor All will see the biggest and most competitive rookie field yet, with six confirmed to compete in this years season including; Grant Bromley, Cameron Wilson, Jesse Dixon, Auto Ones Adam Marjoram, and newcomers Matthew Nolan, and Elliot Barbour.
All drivers are eligible having raced no more than two V8 Ute Rounds previously; are all less than 45 years of age, and without professional (paid) racing experience.
Barbour will join the Sieders Racing Team, who has produced two Rookie winners over the years with Andrew Fisher and David Sieders. The Melbourne based 22 year old just completed a full-season in the V8 Supercar Development Series, and is looking forward to the challenge of the Ute.
Yeah theyre different, so there will be a different technique to driving them. Its not going to be easy but Im still expecting to win races. Obviously Ive got a fair bit of experience in the last couple of years so Im not nervous of the other rookies. Im just going to concentrate on learning the Utes and hopefully everything will fall into place, explained Barbour.
Unlike Barbour, former world professional Jet Skier Matthew Nolan will not only be learning the Ute, but swapping a wet suit for a race suit.
I wanted a new challenge, so Im looking forward to driving the Ute and getting my head around it all, said Nolan.
Barbour and Nolan will be driving against the likes of Adam Marjoram, Grant Bromley, Cameron Wilson and Dixon, who have all raced a Ute before.
19 year old Marjoram steered the Auto One Wildcard in Perth last year, and this will be Bromleys third stint in a ute after racing alongside former driver Greg Willis in the 2010 Ten Years of Legends Race. The Queenslander also stepped in for long-time friend Jason Gomersall at the Clipsal 500 last year. He began his career racing Go Karts at 16, before progressing to several open wheel state championships and being awarded the prestigious QRDA Drivers award in 2006.
At 39 years of age, Bromley is the oldest Rookie in the field but isnt worried by his younger counterparts when he steps behind the wheel of his HTA/ Isuzu Utes/Iseek Ford.
With age comes experience, and sometimes in this category you need mental stability rather than intensity. Its the young-bull versus the old bulland you know what they say, when the flag dropsthe bull $#@% stops, said Bromley.
Another driver intent on keeping the young guns in their corner is 38 year old Cam Wilson. Wilson made an outstanding debut at the Gold Coast 600 last year, where he struck his first race win in Peter Burnitts Ute. Wilson also employs 20 year old Jesse Dixon at his Gold Coast Go Kart Centre, wholl also be joining the Rookie charge.
Its quite good (working with Jesse), there is a lot of banter and we bring the Go Karts out late at night and have a few races, Im really looking forward to racing him in a Ute instead, said Wilson.I suppose theres pressure this year. Its looking like the best Rookie season yet, with so many new guys coming in and all with good racing DNA. Im one of the oldest involved in the Rookie contest, but Ive been around the Series almost 10 years, and 15 years in motorsport. Its something Ive always wanted to do and after working hard in business for the last 6 years, Ive finally been able to make it happen, explained Wilson.
Dixon, who was the winner of Reality TV Show the 2012 Shannons Supercar Showdown and recipient of the V8 Ute Chris Pither Scholarship, will make his full-time debut at Clipsal and cant wait to get behind the wheel.
The V8 Utes is something Ive always wanted to do and to be on the grid is an incredible feeling. I could name a 100 people who have helped me along the way, its been an amazing journey and satisfying to finally be here.
Its definitely going to be tough competition out there; I have a lot of faith in my crew and think we can bring together a pretty strong package for the season, explained Dixon.
Also debuting in the Series this year is former Holden Young Lion Stephen White, and former V8 Supercar driver Wayne Wakefield. Although they are both under 45, they dont meet the rookie eligibility requirements with their vast racing experience. White has had significant international open wheeler experience, while Wakefield drove for Stone Brothers Racing as a co-driver to Marcos Ambrose in 2001, Ambrose putting the Falcon on pole position for the Great Race.
The Rookies will kick off their campaign around the streets of Adelaide at the Clipsal 500 from 28th February3rd March and with such a big Rookie field its bound to be a screamer of a year.
The V8 Utes Series is managed by SPHERIX, and consists of 32 Ute field made up of 16 Ford and 16 Holdens. The Series has been in action since 2001 and is televised nationally through Network Seven.
Ronald McDonald HouseSouth East QLD is the Official Charity to Australian V8 Ute Racing. Ronald McDonald House is dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families and provided vital help to over 75,000 families through a wide range of programs.
