Can a V8 Ute driver do it again? In 2012, young-gun Jesse Dixon took out the Shannon’s Supercar Showdown reality TV Show winning a drive at the Bathurst 1000, and this year V8 Ute Veteran Craig Dontas is in with a chance.
The format of the 2013 show has changed slightly, with Ford Performance Racing (FPR) drivers Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison each mentoring 4 drivers, before head boss Tim Edwards makes the final decision on who will secure a testing contract in one of the Ford Performance Racing V8 Supercars.
The show did wonders for Dixon’s career, the 21 year old raced in the 2012 Bathurst 1000 alongside 2011 Shannon’s Supercar Showdown winner Cameron Waters, the two made history as the youngest team to ever compete in the great race and they finished 20th overall. Dixon picked up a deal with Hayman Reese this year to secure a full-time drive in the 2013 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by ARMOR ALL, and is excited about Dontas’ chances.
“It’s a great opportunity for Craig; it’s good to see more Ute drivers getting the opportunity. It was an incredible experience, just to be there was awesome, then to actually make the final 3, drive a V8 supercar for the first time and to come off and win was amazing,” Dixon said.
Tapout Energy Racing’s Ryal Harris also appeared in the show last year, making it to the top ten and although he didn’t take out the show, he went on to claim his first V8 Ute Championship title and will have a test with FPR later in the year as his prize for the highest scoring Ford driver in the 2012 V8 Ute Series.
Dontas, an Adelaide based father of 3, is really enjoying his time on the show.
“I’m loving my time on the show, it’s very different to what I do normally from day to day it’s almost like school camp, not a lot of contact with the outside world, so it’s great! I miss the family quite a lot, which is hard but everything else has been fantastic. Will (Davison) and Frosty (Mark Winterbottom) have been really helpful with everything, their leadership is great and they are nice personable guys,” said Dontas.
Dontas has raced in the V8 Ute Series for 7 years now, with backing from Thirsty Camel Bottleshops for the past 4 years. He works in Business Development for the Clipsal 500 and thinks he is in with a really good shot of taking out the title.
“I’m absolutely confident my experience and age will help me in the competition,” said Dontas.
The two FPR drivers searched the globe for a potential driver; Dontas was one of the lucky eight and will be competing against international drivers from the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The show airs on 7Mate Saturday, 14th September.
