SUPERUTES PUSHED BACK TO 2021
SuperUtes pushed back until 2021 – Photo: InSyde Media
Rumours that the SuperUtes are finished and now defuncted, have been hosed down by teams still involved in the category. While there won’t be a series this year, the program to convert the SuperUtes from turbo-diesel power to V8s continues.
By GARRY O’BRIEN
“We were offered five rounds with Supercars, pretty good ones at that. But the time factor was against getting all the vehicles ready for a series this year,” said SRT principle Luke Sieders.
“There is a possibility that we could do a race or two towards the end of the year but next year is definitely going ahead.”
The seven utes that Sieders Team Racing oversee, a mix of Mitsubishi Tritons and Toyota Hiluxes, have or currently are, undergoing the powerplant transition.
Rod Dawson from Peters Motorsport indicated that of the three he had under his care, the two Mazda BT50s were destined to go to the LS3-based engine. The remaining Holden Colorado, which is owned by Supercars, would be returned to them as a turbo diesel.
“We put a basic LS engine in one Mazda which Ryal (Harris) thrashed around Queensland Raceway and it was two seconds faster than when it had the diesel turbo. With the LS3 and the other mods as well as a diff ratio change, they will be substantially faster,” Dawson said.
Charlie Schwerkolt from Team 18 is keen to continue his involvement with his Holden Colorado while Christopher Formosa is in the process of powerplant replacements in a pair of Ford Rangers.
“We have the engine already in the Ranger that Bayley Hall crashed at Bathurst and just to fit the ECU etc,” Formosa said. “We certainly want to continue with the category . . . we own the cars and don’t want to use them as paperweights.”
While Ross Stone has already indicated that he would not be returning to the category, Isuzu D-MAX owner Steve Wilson does want to also make the transition and continue in the category.
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