In a true display of motorsport spirit, front-running Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series drivers have come together to help fellow racers make the grid for this weekend’s NTI Townsville 500, with major support from market leader Ultima Parts.
Mitsubishi Triton steerer Jimmy Vernon and series newcomer Anthony Jewell will join forces in a two-car Ultima Brakes Parts and Suspension Mitsubishi team.
With Vernon and Jewell both facing uncertain financial futures after Round 3 in Perth last month, which threatened their ability to make the grid for Townsville, fellow series competitors have rallied behind them, showcasing the strong sense of community that underpins the Tyrepower V8 SuperUtes category.
Reigning champion Adam Marjoram and team owner Craig Dontas stepped in to help with much needed support, along with long time personal supporters of the Marjoram’s in Ultima.
“That’s what motorsport is about and what V8 SuperUtes paddock does when one of our fellow drivers needs a bit of help and it’s fantastic to see a market leader in Ultima Brake Parts and Suspension support a two-car Triton team after a very long association with myself over many years,” said Marjoram.
“To have Ultima extend their support to one of the ‘good guys’ in the category with Jimmy Vernon and a new up-and-comer in Anthony Jewell is something that Craig Dontas and I are very proud to see come to fruition.
“The V8 SuperUte family is genuinely that, a family. While we’re all racing for sheep stations on track, off track we have each other’s backs and it’s this comradery that I love about the category and have cherished the most since my return to motorsport,” concluded Marjoram.
The newly formed “Team Ultima” Mitsubishi Triton team will be run out of the Siders Racing team garage and aims to continue for the remainder of the year.
Round 4 of the Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series will be on track this weekend July 11-13 at the Reid Park Street Circuit, Queensland, as support to the NTI Townsville 500.
QUOTES
Jimmy Vernon, #50 Team Ultima Mitsubishi Triton
“I have such a great working relationship with Adam Marjoram on a competitive level, and when he and Craig Dontas put their heads together, I was honoured to form part of the new Team Ultima Tritons.
“I am excited to be partnering too with Anthony Jewell. I first met Jewellzy in Perth, we clicked pretty quickly, and I can’t wait to work even closer with him to extract the most out of our Ultima Tritons.
“Townsville is a circuit I have raced at a handful of times; it’s an amazing event with a great vibe from the fans and an awesome track to put on some cracker door to door racing.”
Anthony Jewell, #28 Team Ultima Mitsubishi Triton
“I’m really excited to have my second start in the Series backed by Ultima. The two Tritons look a million bucks and representing a brand that has such a heavy involvement in motorsport and the V8 SuperUtes is a really exciting opportunity for me to continue to grow within the category.
“Jimmy and I got along very well in Perth and has so much experience racing these V8 SuperUtes so it’s also another chance for me to learn more on-track. Jimmy has been a consistent front runner and has a lot more national level experience than me, so I’m eager to be able to work a little closer with him to build on our great momentum after Perth. We aren’t here to just make up the numbers.
“I’ve been aiming for a start in the Tyrepower V8 SuperUtes for a while and the stars just aligned perfectly for us at our home round last month. The cars put that big smile on your face every time you head out on the track. Loose, fast and close racing. What more could you want! Ultima will be expecting the best from us both and I can’t wait to represent them on track this weekend!”