THE VAILO Adelaide 500 this weekend will play host to the biggest Tyrepower V8 SuperUtes field since inception with a record 24-strong entry list confirmed.
Today’s grid confirmation (below) for Round 6 – which is the season finale at the Adelaide Parklands – sees the culmination of a three-year growth strategy to reach a maximum grid number that will herald in the next phase of development.
As a regular support category to the Repco Supercars Championship, a maximum field of 24 V8 SuperUtes was always the goal according to category operations manager Filippa Guarna.
“Every category has a grid number that allows it to operate the most productive off track, with maximum entertainment on track, while also being efficient onsite for event organisers, and 24 was always the goal for us.
“But the plan isn’t just about having 24 V8 SuperUtes at one round though. We’ve been working hard on a new shareholding restructure with our teams that will ensure we have a consistent 24-car field at every round moving forward,” said Guarna.
With a conscious effort made by management the last few years to streamline operations, increase new builds and welcome new competitors, the series has delivered on what it set out to do and that is consistent, solid growth.
“Considering where the category was just three years ago, this is hugely exciting going into 2025!
“We can’t thank our teams and drivers enough for consciously working together with us to grow our series on all fronts, and for our series partners for believing in our long-term vision.
“More cars always means better racing but with the foundations we’ve cemented in place now, we are firmly focussed to be the most entertaining, affordable and automotive market-relevant racing category in the country,” said Guarna.
This weekend’s championship title fight sees eight drivers mathematically in contention, while the top three drivers are separated by just seven points – SCTR Racing’s Cameron Crick leads on 1040 points, followed by last year’s runner-up Adam Marjoram three points behind (1037 points), and dual-champion Aaron Borg seven points behind Crick on 1033 points.
Round 6 also welcomes back two familiar faces – and local Adelaide drivers – George Gutierrez who last raced at this year’s opening round at the Bathurst 500 in February, and Craig Dontas who comes out of retirement to race in front of a home crowd.
“There’s no arguing that the calibre of drivers in this year’s field has been outstanding, and I’d say the strongest group of steerers we’ve had together as a group. To have the top championship contenders separated by just seven points going into the final round will make for awesome racing and undoubtedly an exciting way to cap off a huge year for the category,” concluded Guarna.
Round 6 of the Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series will run from November 14-17 at the VAILO Adelaide 500, Adelaide Parklands, SA. All races will be shown live on FoxSports 506 and Kayo.
Round 6 Entry List
#1 Aaron Borg, Team Motion Racing (Isuzu D-MAX)
#3 David Sieders, Yuasa Batteries Racing (Mazda BT-50)
#7 Cameron Crick, SCTR Racing (Ford Ranger)
#8 Ben Walsh, Western Sydney Motorsport (Toyota HiLux)
#9 Amar Sharma, City Rural Insurance Brokers (Mazda BT-50)
#15 Adam Marjoram, Team Motion Racing (Isuzu D-MAX)
#18 Cody Brewczynski, Wanless (Toyota HiLux)
#19 George Gutierrez, JC Energy (Holden Colorado)
#26 Luke Webber, SCM Mechanics (Mazda BT-50)
#41 Adrian Cottrell, Team Forty One (Holden Colorado)
#45 Craig Dontas, 1800 Hose Van / Xpress Fleet (Mitsubishi Triton)
#50 Jimmy Vernon, Fluid Film Racing (Mitsubishi Triton)
#55 Michael Sherwell, Nova Air and Electrical (Mitsubishi Triton)
#58 Ryal Harris, EFS 4×4 Accessories (Mazda BT-50)
#64 Craig Woods, Western Sydney Motorsport (Toyota HiLux)
#76 Ellexandra Best, Best Leisure Industries (Mazda BT-50)
#77 Richard Mork, City Rural Photography (Ford Ranger)
#88 Jason Norris, Auto Masters Racing (Toyota HiLux)
#90 Jayden Wanzek, Carryboy (Mitsubishi Triton)
#125 Ryan How, Gtechniq Racing (Ford Ranger)
#222 Scott Taylor, Scott Taylor Motorsport-Ford Ranger
#333 Rossi Johnson, Apogee Motorsport (Holden Colorado)
#777 Holly Espray, Uniden HER (Isuzu D-MAX)
#805 Jensen Engelhardt, AIV Racing (Toyota HiLux)
