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RYAL HARRIS AND MAZDA IN FOR SUPERUTES

Ryal Harris commits to SuperUtes with Mazda - Photo: Supplied

By Bruce Williams

Ryal Harris commits to SuperUtes with Mazda - Photo: Supplied

Ryal Harris commits to SuperUtes with Mazda – Photo: Supplied

RYAL HARRIS has committed to the new SuperUtes series and will race an Mazda BT50 next season.

The three time V8 Ute champion and Peters Motorsport have confirmed that they will race in the colours of Bushranger and West End Mazda in 2018.

Said Bushranger GM Paul Sheehan, “Most months you see three or four crew cab diesel Utes in the top 10 list of vehicles sold in Australia. Ute racing got to its most popular when the racing was rough n tough and the fans related to the cars. I see this class capturing a new audience, and Supercars are backing it with great TV coverage.”

Team owner Brett Peters added, “I totally see that if Supercars and SuperUtes can attract more of the occasional motorsport watchers, and many that drive these Utes, then Motorsport wins.

“These Utes are purchased across a broad age range and many will be very interested in seeing ‘their’ brand race. It’s not just about the 18 – 35 males. These Crew cab Utes are work, recreational and family cars.”

Team principal Rod Dawson has backed the new generation SuperUtes program.

“I totally understand why the V8 purists are not excited,” he said, “but let’s face it when V8 Utes turned up on the grid all those years ago [with 12 Utes] at Adelaide they weren’t fast but they put on great racing. The torque these SuperUtes will produce is awesome and diesels have been racing at Le Mans for years, so I’m keen to give them a crack.”

Harris is keen to get behind the wheel.

“Now I have seen our Bushranger Mazda lowered at race ride height it looks tough and with big brakes and ‘low grip’ tyres they will be tricky to drive and the fans will see plenty of action.

“Utes has always been a great category to hone your racing skills and I see SuperUtes providing the same. SuperUtes will have massive TV time next year with both free to air and Fox Sports, so if you want to get seen in Australian motorsport, you better go and grab yourself a SuperUte.”

Missed todays SuperUtes announcement? Find out more here.

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