SuperUtes Series

The SuperUtes Series (known for commercial reasons as the ECB SuperUtes Series) is an Australian utility racing competition that was launched in 2018 as a successor to the V8 Ute Racing Series. The series is owned and operated by the Supercars Championship and its events are held as a support category to Supercars events throughout Australia.

SuperUtes Series
CategoryPickup truck racing
CountryAustralia
Inaugural season2018
ConstructorsFord
Holden
Isuzu
Mazda
Mitsubishi
Toyota
Tyre suppliersYokohama
Drivers' championTom Alexander
Official websiteECB SuperUtes Series
Current season

Background

The V8 Ute Racing Series, which ran from 2001 to 2017, used utility vehicles based on the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore models. However, with production of the Falcon and Commodore finishing in 2016 and 2017 respectively, utility vehicles were no longer being mass produced in Australia, which led to investigations into a new platform for the Utes series as far back as the early 2010s. While an initial plan was proposed to continue with a generic utility chassis, the Supercars Championship purchased the series in 2015 and pursued a move to a production-based series which would move away from the traditional formula.[1] After several delays, it was announced in 2016 that SuperUtes, based on production dual-cab diesel-powered utilities, would be introduced in 2018.[2][1]

History

The inaugural season launched at the 2018 Adelaide 500 with ten cars entered, representing five manufacturers in Ford, Holden, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Toyota. Isuzu would later join the championship while Dakar Rally winner Toby Price was amongst the entries in a Mitsubishi Triton.[3] The first race for the new category was won by Ryal Harris, a three time championship winner in V8 Utes, who went on to win the championship in a Mazda BT-50.[4]

The new championship drew some criticism due to the small field sizes and slower lap times than V8 Utes.[5] The higher centre of gravity also saw some SuperUtes roll over, most notably at the Queensland Raceway round in 2018 and Adelaide Street Circuit in 2019, where two vehicles rolled during each event.[6][7] This led to various technical upgrades for the cars during the 2019 season, including lowered ride heights and a move to a race-specification Yokohama tyre.[8][9] The series announced further changes for the 2020 season, with the turbo diesel engine to be replaced by a petrol V8 engine in an attempt to reconnect with fans of the V8 Utes era. The ownership of the series also transferred from Supercars Championship to the team owners themselves.[10]

Champions
Year Winner Car Team
2018 Ryal Harris Mazda BT-50 Peters Motorsport
2019 Tom Alexander Isuzu D-Max Ross Stone Racing
gollark: *cannot actually continue any of their lineages*
gollark: *ponders offer*
gollark: Yes, those.
gollark: <@459753730846228483> shadow walkers, omens, yes. Otherwise no.
gollark: I still like the hatchlings though.

References
  1. Robson, Tim. "Dual-cab diesel SuperUtes to replace Australian V8 Ute Racing Series in 2017". CarsGuide. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  2. Howard, Tom (24 November 2015). "New V8 Ute platform pushed back to 2018". Speedcafe. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  3. Bartholomaeus, Stefan (23 February 2018). "Field set for inaugural SuperUtes round". Supercars. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  4. Harris, Ryal (25 November 2018). "Harris takes SuperUtes title as Alexander wins Race 3". Speedcafe. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  5. Herrero, Daniel (19 July 2018). "V8 Utes champ: SuperUtes need more power to win fans over". Speedcafe. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  6. Herrero, Daniel (3 October 2018). "No concerns over SuperUtes stability at Mount Panorama". Speedcafe. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  7. Herrero, Daniel (2 March 2019). "More carnage in SuperUtes Race 2 in Adelaide". Speedcafe. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  8. Herrero, Daniel (3 January 2019). "SuperUtes set for upgrades ahead of second season". Speedcafe. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  9. Makhoul, Joshua (3 April 2019). "SuperUtes competitors back technical changes". Supercars. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  10. Makhoul, Joshua (26 October 2019). "V8 engines, management change for SuperUtes". Supercars. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
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