V8 Supercars teams up with V8 Utes

V8 Supercars and Australian V8 Ute Racing has announced a long term strategic partnership that will oversee the next generation of the Series.

The evolution of the category from 2016 will transform from its current production based utility platform to a twin and utility cab based Series.

V8 Supercars and the Australian V8 Utes will work together to develop a platform which will allow multiple manufacturers to compete with an equal performance balance.

It will introduce the category to new models from the light utility and light truck range, also encouraging competitors to race turbo diesel engines.

New manufacturers will be sought to complement the existing Holden and Ford entries, just as V8 Supercars has welcomed Nissan, Volvo and Erebus Motorsport with its Mercedes-Benz AMG E63.

V8 Utes race exclusively at V8 Supercars events, joining the V8 Supercars Dunlop Series, Porsche Carrera Cup, Formula 4 and Australian GT Series as primary categories on exclusive arrangements.

"We are excited to announce this long term partnership with Australian V8 Ute Racing to develop and run a utility based category," said V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton.

"This alliance will allow V8 Supercars to add its significant technical might to the development of the next phase of these crowd pleasing racers. This will be a highly competitive series which reflects the DNA of a significant segment of the automotive market."

V8 Utes and all official support categories enjoy the benefits of competing at V8 Supercars events in front of massive crowds and television audiences.

"This year we will see more live television across the Fox Sports and Ten networks than in the history of motorsport in this country, including every support category live and in HD,' Warburton said.

"This gives motorsport the highest profile and greatest reach it has ever had. With that it is important that our world class support categories benefit from the uplift in exposure.

"This alliance also gives us the opportunity to work with Australian V8 Utes Racing and share critical technical information on the journey towards the next phase of the category."

Motorsport administrators Spherix will continue to manage the day to day and event operations of the category which starts its season at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide this weekend.

"This is a significant step forward in the roll out of the next phase for Australian V8 Ute Racing, given the changing dynamics of the industry, and the relevance of utilities in vehicle sales," V8 Ute Racing Chairman Peter Henry said.

"The racing product, parity structure and technical rules of the V8 Supercars Championship is admired world-wide and the opportunity to work directly with the team is enormous.

"Our combined charter is simple - to evolve into a new Series, more relevant to what is being sold in the current market, while not losing the entertainment value it is renowned for."