Aussie Olympian joins V8 SuperUte field

Former sprinter John Steffensen will complete a full V8 SuperUte Series season in 2023.

The SuperUte series will feature at six Supercars events this year, starting with next weekend’s Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint.

Steffensen, 40, will campaign a full season with Western Sydney Motorsport.

The Western Australian native will fly back home for each of the six rounds on the 2023 calendar.

The Olympian will compete in the #99 Western Sydney Motorsport Toyota HiLux which was previously campaigned by Ben Walsh last year.

Walsh finished third outright in the 2022 series.

Steffensen — who won silver at the 2004 Olympics in Athens as part of the 4 × 400m relay — is no stranger to motorsport.

He also won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, in the 400m and as part of the 4 × 400m Australian relay team.

Steffensen previously raced in Porsches

Steffensen made his motorsport debut in 2017 in Porsche 997 GT3 Cup in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series.

He moved into Porsche Carrera Cup with Porsche Centre Melbourne, and has also raced with Western Sydney Motorsport in the Aussie Racing Car series.

“I can’t thank Craig [Thompson] and Western Sydney Motorsport enough for this chance to be part of a fantastic team,” he said.

"They finished second and third outright last year and I’ll be doing my best to help them get the championship title in 2023.

"I’m super pumped to take on the V8 SuperUte Series this year; it’s an insane race car to drive.

"I really was blown away with the SuperUte setup when I had my first test a few weeks ago.

"It handles really well, it’s light in the rear which adds a bit of excitement and the calibre of racing drivers in the category means we’ll definitely be putting on a proper show.

“I actually grew up going to Wanneroo with my dad to watch his friend race when I was younger, so to now make my debut there racing myself is surreal.

"I’m super excited to fly back home get into the season next week."

2023 Haltech V8 SuperUte Series calendar