Luke Webber will join the Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series full-time from next week’s second round in Darwin, and will launch his newly-livered #26 Mazda BT-50 as part of the Indigenous Round.
A former Australian RX-8 Cup Series race winner, the Cootamundra local bought the ex-Lachlan Gardner Mazda BT-50 which last raced in 2023. It was previously owned by the late Craig Jenner in 2022, and was contested at the opening round of 2023 in Perth by Rob McMahon prior to Gardner.
Webber has engaged local Wiradjuri woman Shelby-Rae Lyons from Narrandera NSW to design the livery for his V8 SuperUte after having recently collaborated with Sportsgirl in creating artworks for their stores throughout Australia.
As proud residents of Cootamundra (Wiradjuri), a town that has a deep indigenous history, Webber said he can’t be more excited about next week’s debut.
“I am very excited to finally get started in V8 SuperUtes because it’s been my childhood dream to race v8s at a high level,” said Webber.
“Since a very young age I have been obsessed with all things cars and racing and would spend most afternoons cutting laps around my family’s property.
“I am beyond excited that I finally get this opportunity to fulfil a dream and to begin it in Darwin, such a beautiful part of Australia, makes it even more special and I cannot wait to get there.”
Shelby-Rae Lyons was approached by Webber to create an artwork that tells a story of the Wiradjuri people, on whose land the team lives on. Wiradjuri are the largest Aboriginal group in central New South Wales and the name Cootamundra is thought to have been derived from the Aboriginal name for turtle known as “guudhamang”.
“We chose Shelby, a young Wiradjuri woman and accomplished artist, after hearing about her achievements through a friend,” said Webber.
“We were impressed with her art style and also her dedication to educating the next generation of children in our community through her creation of early childhood educational tools focusing on Wiradjuri language.
“We at Southern Cross Mobile Mechanics also take pride in our community and focusing on the growth and education of the next generation. So in short, our goals were aligned and we believe she would be a great representative of both our community and the Wiradjuri Nation,” added Webber.
ARTIST’S DESCRIPTION OF THE ARTWORK: “This artwork represents home on Wiradjuri Country, connection and family. The meeting places with people sitting around them represent community and family, an important part of who supports you through your journey all joined by connection and travel lines. The Kangaroo tracks represent Country and home as we are surrounded by them here in the Riverina and a reminder to always move forward.”
Round 2 of the Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series heads to Darwin next week, June 14-16, as part of the betr Darwin Triple Crown as a support to the Repco Supercars Championship.
