V8 Ute Series

History
The Australian V8 Ute Racing Category was conceived in 2000 and launched March 2001 at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide. The series was a smash, literally, and the fans loved it. Now, 16 identical Ford XR8 V8's and 16 Holden SS Commodores make up the entire field with a stellar cast of drivers that just love showbiz!

The Ute's are production based with limited modifications and extremely close lap times, making for some serious on track 'bump 'n grind. Holden driver Rod Wilson was the inaugural V8 Ute Champion, but Ford fought back in 2002 and 2003 with Sydney's, Warren Luff, taking back to back victories. Holden again returned to form in 2004 with Damien White taking the series title, before defecting to Ford and taking the title again in 2005 by a narrow margin to Melbourne's Marcus Zukanovic.

The series has proved a real breeding ground for new talent with Luff, Dean Canto and TV weatherman, Grant Denyer all moving into V8 Supercars after cutting the mustard at the front in the Ute series.

The Yokohama V8 Ute Series covers eight rounds at various tracks throughout Australia. The unique reverse grid racing format is extremely popular with the race fans, ensuring there's always loads of on track action. Drivers include former Bathurst winner Allan Grice, Nascar champion Kim Jane, country singer Adam Brand, James rock - son of a legend, Actor- George Elliot, Adelaide's own Charlie "Handlebars" Kovacs, driving instructor Gary Baxter, Ryal Harris and former NRL Roosters player Jack Elsegood.

All about the Series
Australian V8 Ute Racing Pty Ltd is an organisation made up of 32 shareholders each who own a Ute that drives in the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series. There is a board of directors who implement the CAMS official rules and regulations and who are also in charge of keeping the series fair and synchronized. The Board have appointed SPHERIX, a management and marketing organisation directed by Craig Denyer and Bill West for all their promotional and logistical needs.

Race Format
The Australian V8 Ute Racing format gives everyone a chance to run at the front. Each series round is based on a three race format with race two formatted as a reverse grid. Reverse grid is, in the simplest of forms, the top 10 finishers of race one reversed. This ensures plenty of bump 'n grind through the field, with the race three grid determined by an aggregate points system based on the finishing positions in race one and two.

Eligibility
Only those entrants who hold a "licence to compete" and are shareholders in the Australian V8 Ute Racing Company can compete - restricting the field to an exclusive 32 entrants. Lease drives are available for full season or one off events. For details contact Australian V8 Ute Racing Pty Ltd.