New Zealand Baa's Up For Inaugural V8 Ute International

The regular rebels and stars of Kiwi Motorsport have combined for the running of the first official practice of the V8 Ute International series at Manfield Raceway, on New Zealand's North Island. This is the inaugural running of the International format that sees V8 Utes with Australian and Kiwi drivers in the same car battling over 5 races.

Joining the much loved cavalcade of carnage are V8 Supercar, New Zealand Touring car, HQ and Sport Sedan drivers and even a World Superbike star and the event has been welcomed by all of the habitual series starters.

"It's just a great idea. Australians and New Zealanders together in one car doing battle in an Aussie ute, what's not to like?" Marcus Zukanovic
said.

Zukanovic, last years runner up has teamed up with World Motor bike hero Aaron Slight, who is no stranger to four wheels. Slight raced in the British Touring Car Championship after hanging up his bike helmet but
says it's been some time since he's been behind the wheel in
professional competition.

"It's been years since I've been on the track racing on four wheels but it's all coming back to me very quick." Slight admitted. "but I have found that the utes handle very differently when they don't have a bike
on the back."

Regular Ute Racer Chris Pither comes home with not only the advantage of being a regular driver in the series but the knowledge of having won 2
HQ series at this track.

"It's a credit to all involved the work that has been carried out here.
The complex is outstanding" Pither said.

The comments were echoed by regular V8 Supercar driver and team mate to Garry Baxter in the Super Cheap Autos Ute, Jason Richards. "They really have done an great job. I haven't raced here for 5 years and it's
encouraging that the domestic growth has been so dramatic."

Richards who topped the time sheets in practice for the New Zealanders has found the transition to Utes has been a massive one. "The cars are limited to what can be done to them and that makes it a big challenge, however, we are having a great deal of fun, they really are a joy to
drive."

Garry Baxter says he is lucky to have one of New Zealand's best touring car exports in his camp. "His track knowledge is second to none. This track has banked corners and can deliver large amounts of grip on the exit and Jason has been more then willing to help with information, we
are looking very strong.'

Garry is well aware that some of the other teams are referring to them as 'The Professional Team' because that keep pulling their roller
shutters down.

"Where just having a little fun with them all. Each time we do it they all run up and pock their heads around the corner to see what we are doing. It's good to see we have them out psyched out' Baxter said with a
laugh.

The team to watch is undoubtedly the NZ Car Parts, TWL, Carryboy
commodore of Charlie Kovacs and Simon Wills.

Kovacs has a uniquely Australian way of expressing his feelings about the track. "BloodyfFantastic. It really has so much to offer and I'm a great fan of my team mate Simon (Wills) as a person as well as a drive."

Kovacs believes that Wills has brought a breath of fresh air to the team
by forcing them to use each practice session as "practice."

"I've learnt a great deal from Simon and he has fitted into the team very well. If nothing else comes of this weekend, at least he has bought
a new degree of focus to the team." Kovacs said.

Wills is optimistic about their chances. "We have been able to get faster with each session and Charlie and I like the car the same way. I think we should do well. They are totally different to a V8 Supercar in every way imaginable. They are a lot slow but because of that, they are a good car for learning to not overdrive and allow to do there own
thing."

The weekend will feature 5 races each with a unique pit stop to allow for a driver change. The reverse grid format has also been revised with race two being a reverse grid of the top 50% in race one results, with
qualifying scheduled to get underway at 10:20am tomorrow.

Colin Dunn's 99 machine gave Simon Bierne a heart stopping moment after
the bonnet opened at high speed smashing the front window.

Combined Fastest Practice Times for Thursday and Friday.
Pos No. Driver Country

1 1 Dean Perkins NZ 1.21.57 Ford

2 3 Jason Richards NZ 1.22.59 Holden

3 69 Simon Wills NZ 1.22.60 Holden

4 3 Garry Baxter AUST 1.22.75 Holden

5 22 James Brock AUST 1.22.90 Holden

6 18 Matt O'Grady AUST 1.23.14 Holden

7 1 Damien White AUST 1.23.29 Ford

8 71 Aaron Slight NZ 1.23.31 Ford

9 6 Kirk Stoneman NZ 1.23.37 Ford

10 11 Jack Elsegood AUST 1.23.37 Ford

11 42 Garry McDonald AUST 1.23.40 Holden

12 27 Phys McKay NZ 1..23.62 Holden

13 55 Nick Ross NZ 1.23.78 Holden

14 10 Brendon Tucker AUST 1.23.95 Ford

15 5 Adam Brand AUST 1.23.98 Ford

16 27 Kim Jane AUST 1.23.99 Holden

17 69 Charlie Kovacs AUST 1.24.03 Holden

18 6 Ian McAlister AUST 1.24.08 Ford

19 22 Wade Henshaw NZ 1.24.08 Holden

20 7 Grant Silvester NZ 1.24.30 Ford

Teams DrawFINAL

New Zealand /Australia Team 1New Zealand /Australia Team 2
11Damien WhiteOZF1Dean PerkinsNZF

23Jason RichardsNZH3Garry BaxterOZH

35Adam BrandOZF5Graham BeirneNZF

46Kirk StonemamNZF6Ian McAlisterOZF

57Grant SilvesterNZF7Yanis DerumsOZF

610Brendon TuckerOZF10Patrick CroninNZF

711Dean FarmerNZF11Jack ElsegoodOZF

817Rob JarvisOZF17Shaun RichardsonNZF

918Michael BristowNZH18Matt O'GradyOZH

1022James BrockOZH22Wade HenshawNZH

1124Nandi KissOZH24Boyd NorwoodNZH

1227Kim JaneOZH27Rhys McKayNZH

1333Denis CribbinOZH33Grant ShivasNZH

1440James HarriganOZF40Brady KennettNZF

1541Garry MacDonaldOZH41Chris PitherNZH

1644Andrew FawcettNZF44Greg WillisOZF

1755Nick RossNZH55George ElliotOZH

1869Charles KovacsOZH69Simon WillsNZH

1971Aaron SlightNZF71Marcus ZucanovikOZF

2088Mike EadieNZF88James BergmullerOZF

2198TBANZF98TBANZF

2299Simon BeirneNZF99Colin DunnOZF

SCHEDULE Saturday 4th February 2006- V8 UTE INTERNATIONAL 11.00am Q3 V8 Utes - NZ/AUS Team One Drivers 12.30pm Q7 V8 Utes - NZ/AUS Team Two Drivers 14.30pm R3 V8 Utes - NZ /AUS Team One Drivers (8 Lap race) 15.50pm R7 V8 Utes - NZ/AUS Team Two Drivers (8 Lap race)

Sunday 5th February 2006- V8 UTE INTERNATIONAL 11.20am R13 V8 Utes - NZ / AUS Team One Drivers (10 Lap race) 13.15pm R18 V8 Utes -NZ / AUS Team Two Drivers (10 Lap race)
14.15pm V8 Ute International (24 Laps)

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