V8 Ute Rookie Gets V8 Supercar Test

The 2009 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series - powered by Dodo will give some lucky Ute driver the chance to win a test drive in the Supercheap Auto's V8 Supercar, thanks to the Racer Industries Rookie of the Year Award.

Racer Industries Ryan McLeod believes that the V8 Ute Series is one of the best feeder category's for the V8 Supercar Series and that this incentive is a great opportunity for young drivers to get the chance to progress.

"The Utes are a great category and have seen many drivers move up to the V8's (supercars) over the years."

"We have a history of helping young drivers and think it's an important stepping stone to the next level in their career," said McLeod.

Both the 2009 V8 Ute Rookie of the Year and the overall Championship winner will receive test drives at the end of the season with Supercheap Auto Racing.

Some of the ex-ute drivers who have moved through the V8 Supercar ranks include; Marcus Zukanovic, Grant Denyer, Chris Pither, Damien White, Gary MacDonald, Colin Corkery, Warren Luff, Dean Canto, Andrew Fisher, James Moffat, Geoff Emery, Nathan Pretty (2001), Luke Youlden (2001) Tony Bates and the late Ashley Cooper.

Ashley Cooper won the award in 2006 and the V8 Utes have dedicated a memorial trophy to him, which also goes to the V8 Ute Rookie of the Year.

Glenn "Evil" McNally took out the award last year and will have his test drive next month.

Gary Carson, Paul Williams and Jason Gomersall are the three V8 Ute drivers competing for the title.

GBF Underground Minings, Williams is leading the title after placing 13th at Clipsal and clocking up 68 points for the round.

Paul had his first taste of the Series in 2008 during round two in Perth and comes from a long career in Karting.

Select TV's, Carson who has since been dubbed with the nickname "Arson," is currently in second position for the title and is content with the path he is on.

"I am really happy with my result over the weekend. I just wanted to have a clean weekend and stay in the early 20's and that's what I did," he said.

Carson managed WPR the last few years and this is his first time on the driver's side.

iSeek Communications owner, Gomersall is currently in third position and is improving on his performance since his first V8 Ute race at Oran Park in 2008.

The Velocity Motorsport driver had a technical issue in qualifying however his fastest laps were on par with others in the field by the end of the weekend.

-credit: utes