UDC climbs aboard for a wild ride with the V8 Utes

The NZV8 Utes are pleased to announce a warm “welcome back” to UDC Finance as naming rights sponsor, ahead of Round Two of the series at Hampton Downs November 22nd -24th.

Motor racing fans will remember UDC as the name supporting V8 Utes racing around a decade ago. The broader business community, however, knows UDC for the way they’ve helped New Zealand businesses with the funds they need for vehicles, equipment and machinery for over 85 years. Now, UDC is back for more.

To add extra thunder to Round Two of the series now known as the ‘UDC V8 Utes Racing Series’, there’ll be a bumper field of 14 utes, promising some tight, tense racing.

At the Manfeild season opener last month, V8 Utes veteran Glen Collinson emerged as the round winner in his 5-litre ‘Coyote’-powered Ford FG ute, after a dominant performance winning all three races. Glen’s time in the series stretches back to when UDC first supported the utes. Hot on his tailpipes is last season’s champion Brad Kroef, while another long-time V8 Utes campaigner, Simon Ussher, is a mere four points behind him in third. That makes it an all-Ford podium, but there are plenty of potent Holdens ready to pounce.

Several new and returning drivers are set to turn up the heat. Tyler Ward, son of 2022-23 champion Peter Ward, will be driving the Ward Demolition VF Holden Ute. It only took one round of racing last year to convince Grant Bowring to have a crack at a full season – he’ll be running the ex Brent Main Ford BF Falcon ute. David ‘Shaggy’ Lowe has dusted the cobwebs off his BF Ute for another tilt at the series. To add a further dimension to the racing, a new ‘Open Class’ is being introduced to nurture up-and-coming talent – and to bring some former V8 Utes back onto the track.

The weekend’s action at Hampton Downs kicks off Friday 22nd November with testing and practice. Qualifying is scheduled for 10.30am Saturday, with Race One at 3pm that afternoon. On Sunday the 24th, Race Two will be a reverse grid format at 10.45am with the weekend decider Race Three at 3pm.