SuperUtes set to break cover on Thursday

Based on turbo-diesel SUV platforms, the SuperUtes category is set to replace the outgoing Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore V8 Ute series that currently runs alongside Supercars.

While there were initially plans for the series to start at this weekend’s Townsville event, Supercars opted to push back its introduction until next year. Legendary race engineer and team owner Ross Stone was also drafted in as an advisor for the build and homologation of the cars.

While not the debut round, this weekend will still be a milestone for the category, with two of the six homologated models going on public display for the first time – a Ford Ranger and a Mitsubishi Triton.

There will also be major announcements regarding a series sponsor and the proposed calendar set to take place this Thursday.

Full technical specs will also be on offer as part of the launch, although Stone hinted at the technical direction of the category in an interview with the Supercars official website earlier this week.

“I think it’s a good challenge getting involved with diesels and everything that goes with that,” Stone said.

“[Supercars’ engine partner] Craig Hasted is going to prepare all the engines for it and there’s a lot of preparation work for that.

“One of the positives is that MoTec worldwide want to become more involved with diesel electronics and have been a big help for the project.

“It’s got a really good brake package – the front rotor size is exactly the same as the Supercar currently uses.

“It won’t be over the top with data but we’re going to have enough for a young driver to learn and have a good base of knowledge to progress into Super2 or the main game.

“It’ll be more of a feeder category to Supercars than the previous Utes ever were.”