It is with a heavy heart that the Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series pays tribute to dear friend and fellow racer Craig Jenner who sadly passed away today, March 28 2024.
The 55-year-old from Melbourne courageously fought cancer over recent years but never let it stop him from being with his V8 SuperUtes and greater motorsport family after he contested his last round in Perth 2023. Still attending events when his health enabled him to last year, Jenner will be remembered as always putting on brave front despite going through rigorous medical treatment. Jenner made his debut in the series in 2021 as a rookie and finished 5th outright and highest-placed rookie, before going on to finish 12th outright in 2022 while running the “Get Checked” livery on the side of his Mazda BGT-50 as a message for everyone to look out for their health.
That Mazda was on-sold to Rob McMahon who competed just one round in the car at Perth 2023, and then was bought and run by Lachlan Gardner for the remainder of 2023. At Perth 2023, Jenner leased a car from Sieders Racing (the Isuzu D-MAX previously campaigned by David Casey in 2022) which was his last ever race meeting.
In 2023, the series decided to pay tribute to Jenner’s involvement in the category by immortalising him at the end of season awards by renaming the Rookie of the Year award as the Craig Jenner Perpetual Cup in his honour. Jimmy Vernon was the first recipient of the trophy as the highest placed rookie in 2023 and Jenner attended the awards night on the Gold Coast; his last event with the series in person.
“From the beginning, during the rebirth of the V8 SuperUte Series back in 2020, Craig Jenner was one of the biggest supporters of mine helping to push the category forward. His belief, support and passion for what we all believe in at the Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series is part of the reason we have made it here and so quickly as a great series. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten and everything we do as a category will be in honour and dedication to the commitment, belief and passion Craig showed for our category and sport. The Craig Jenner Rookie of the Year Trophy is truly an amazing way for us to celebrate a great man and his passion for our series and will be special to us all.”
The Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series extends its condolences to Craig’s family, friends and loved ones. We will miss him dearly.
