Erebus Motorsport Offers V8 Ute Rookie Chance of a Lifetime

Erebus Motorsport will offer the 2013 Yokohama V8 Ute Rookie of the Year an evaluation test drive in one of its Mercedes-Benz AMG race cars. 

The Rookie winner could get to drive the SLS AMG GT3 Gullwing that won the Bathurst 12 Hour at the hands of German legend, Bernd Schneider, Thomas Jaeger and Alexander Roloff or one of the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG V8 Supercars that were introduced at the beginning of 2013 under Car of the Future specifications. 

This extends Erebus Motorsport’s touch-point in the V8 Utes category, where it owns the license attached to the #19 Dunlop Super Dealers Ute of Stephen ‘Whitedog’ White.

Erebus Motorsport General Manager – Motorsport, Barry Ryan, is pleased to offer the opportunity to one of the up and coming drivers of the 2013 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by ARMOR ALL. 

“Getting people into motorsport is our aim and our involvement in the Ute Series as a franchise owner allows us to connect with the Utes’ legion of fans, so to extend the relationship and provide this Rookie prize is a natural extension,” said Ryan. “We’ve developed the Erebus Academy specifically to nurture young drivers and this is a perfect opportunity to expand on that with the V8 Utes, which is hugely popular with the fans.

“We’ve specifically kept the option open on which vehicle we guarantee the test in,” he added. “The testing rules are so strict with V8 Supercars, we wanted to keep the offer open to either the V8 or our stunning Gullwing. Both options are a great advance for whoever wins, it will be a big step forward in their careers.”

There are currently five drivers contesting the Yokohama Rookie of the Year title including Elliot Barbour, Adam Marjoram, Jesse Dixon, Cam Wilson and Matt Nolan. 

Elliot Barbour is the hot favourite for the title leading the charge on 409 points and the former V8 Supercar Development Series driver was over the moon to hear about the prize.  

“It’s a great opportunity, I’m fairly confident, it’s always exciting Ute Racing and I try and do as well as I can, not just in the Rookie championship but also in the Series,” said the young Victorian.

“Testing would be a good opportunity – I’ve never driven the ‘Gullwing’ and it would be nice to drive the new spec V8 Supercar. With guys like Erebus Motorsport watching you, it can open a lot of doors for your future.”  

20-year old Marjoram is really excited by the opportunity and is thankful to Erebus Motorsport for the chance. 

“It’s really exciting that such a great team is offering a really cool prize,” said Marjoram. “For someone like me who’s in their first year on a national stage, it would be excellent to get a chance like this, you need one good break and if you can impress on that, it means wonders for your career, it’s good that Erebus Motorsport have got involved with the V8 Utes and are doing something for the young guys.” 

Gold Coaster Dixon knows all about chances. He was a recipient of the Chris Pither, Powered by Ice-Break, scholarship last year, which saw him race in two V8 Ute Rounds. 

This also exposed him to the opportunity to participate in the Shannon’s Supercar Showdown reality TV Show, which he won, landing him a drive at the Bathurst 1000.

“It would be incredible to get laps in a new spec V8 Supercar,” enthused Dixon. “It’s been almost 12 months since I last drove a V8 and to get another opportunity would be an experience I’d definitely make the most of. 

“Driving the Bathurst 12 Hour winning car wouldn’t be bad either,” he said with a grin. “ABS, traction control, downforce and paddle shift would definitely be a lot of fun!” 

Cam Wilson is the eldest driver in the running at the ripe age of 39 and is willing to give it a red hot go.

“It’s another fantastic thing for the category to get Erebus Motorsport on board and to offer such a fantastic prize. I don’t think my chances are great having a bad start to the season, but I’m going to put my best foot forward and give it my best for the rest of the season,” said Wilson.  

Although Barbour is ahead by 141 points, there are still 560 points up for grabs this season and the Rookies will restart their campaign at Round Five of the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by ARMOR ALL – as part of the Wilson Security Sandown 500 from September 13-15.

Tickets are available for the event through Ticketek.