After competing in the final two rounds of the 2014 season, Bruce "Fat Stig" Oaklands has upped the ante as he prepares to challenge the entire 2015 Australian V8 Ute Racing Series, starting this weekend at the Clipsal 500 event in Adelaide, 26 February - 1st March.
The Builder from Kenthurst not only rejoins the Sieders Racing Team for 2015, but has moved from just an 'arrive and drive' competitor to a dual Series Shareholder, having purchased both the Ford V8 Ute he competed in last year, as well as the Holden SS Commodore that will be raced by Dave Sieders this year.
"I had an absolute hoot running with the Sieders Team last year, and figured that if I was going to do this, I was going to do it the only way I know how," said Oaklands, "it's a good Series, and what Aussie doesn't like the good ol' Holden vs Ford battle in the V8 Utes?".
"I knew the team had been discussing a change to Holden for Dave Sieders, so when I saw a good deal available on one from one of the top Holden drivers I was happy to come to the party, and I look forward to sharing in the celebrations at the end of the year."
With a relatively limited racing history, Oaklands got his start in almost a movie script like fashion, when he participated in a casual track day experience, only to have one of the instructors not only remark on his abilities, but also team up with him and successfully compete at a Club Enduro event.
"I went to a track day in March 2005, and Boz [John Bosten] was obviously impressed with my work and had a bit of a chat with me on the day," said Oaklands, " I ended up buying a car in October, the next year I contested the Australian Touring Car Challenge and paired up with Boz for a Class win and just missed the podium at the Queensland 500 Club Enduro at Queensland Raceway".
Running in 2015 with a number of genuine Championship contenders, Oaklands is confident of a strong result for the season, with the Top 10 firmly in his sights.
"Last year, most of our results were inside the Top 20 without any real experience," said Oaklands, "there's a lot of talent and experience in the V8 Utes, but I'm confident that we can be pushing for 10th - 12th in the Series, which would be a bit of a laugh for someone with a dozen starts under their belt".
The 2015 Australian V8 Ute Racing Series kicks off at the Adelaide Parklands Circuit on Thursday with two practice sessions before Qualifying at 2.05pm, with race one on Friday at 2.20pm, race two on Saturday at 10.45am and the final race of the weekend at 9am on Sunday (all times shown are local to Adelaide).
All sessions will be shown live on Fox Sports and all three races will be shown as live on Network 10.
"Everyone has to do a track for the first time, and I have a good team and good drivers around me to get the best out of it, but I have watched Dave Sieders' in car footage and it's a little nerve racking."
