Ute Racing in Australia, What’s Next? 28 February 2018 08:14 Rare Spares (0) ShareOver the past 2 decades, the V8 Utes became a staple on the travelling Supercars roadshow, with drivers jumping behind the wheel of modified production XR8 Falcon and SS Commodore Utes as a support card to the main events. The racing was fierce, fast and often akin to a dodgem car race as carnage often ensued! The category was used as a proving ground for young talent with well-known racers such as Warren Luff, Grant Denyer, Cameron McConville and Nathan Pretty cut their teeth against a host of series regulars like Ryal Harris, Craig Dontas and Kim Jane. After well over 300 races, the category came to an end at the closing of the 2017 season, making way for the new SuperUtes category in 2018. To say the reception for the new format has been mixed is an understatement, as understandably many are upset at the prospect of aussie V8 powered utes being replaced by diesel powered duel cabs. In this blog, we’ll take a quick look at everything we know about the new category and make a few predictions on how the racing will unfold at round 1 at the Adelaide 500 this weekend. Based on the popular ute segment that is dominating Australian new car sales, the category is open to the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara, Holden Colorado, Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 with all bar the Navara slated to be on the grid in Adelaide. The utes will require a minimum weight of 1800kgs, rear-wheel drive, turbo-diesel power and a control gearbox, rear axle assembly and ECU. Riding considerably lower than their production counterparts and producing power around 340bhp (250kw) and 500 ft/lbs of torque the utes will be lapping the circuit at a fairly brisk pace! Past series champion Ryal Harris, popular competitor Craig Dontas and 2016 Dakar Winner Toby Price headline the driver taking to the new series with the latter competing in select events that don’t interfere with his international desert motorcycle racing commitments. The big question all spectators are asking is “will it be exciting?” and with only short clips from testing gracing the Supercars website no one really knows. The utes are not alarmingly fast, nor do they sound particularly great, however all will be forgiven if the racing is good! Come quarter past two on Saturday afternoon all will be answered. As for our predictions? It’s hard to bet against Ryal Harris although everything Toby Price touches he seems to be able to drive/ride the wheels off it. We anticipate the first of (hopefully) many battle royal’s in Australia’s newest racing category. What do you think of the new SuperUte series? Who do you think will take the chocolates this weekend? Head over to the Rare Spares Facebook page and let us know in the comments below.
Rare Spares Launch New Television Commercials 07 November 2013 08:21 Rare Spares (0) ShareRare Spares have launched two new television commercials which will be aired on 7Mate throughout the remainder of the year [More]
Rare Spares Launch Major ‘Suite of Brands’ Marketing Initiative 06 September 2013 06:59 Rare Spares Rare Spares (0) ShareRare Spares have just launched a major marketing program that will encompass all aspects of the Rare Spares brand and explore the role it plays in each and every stage of a classic car restoration project. [More]
A Word From Cam McConville 14 August 2013 06:19 Rare Spares General (0) ShareNormal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} It's been a crazy month since my last post with Rare's but I have finally taken the foot off the gas pedal for a few days. After kicking off the HSV Drive Experience in sunny QLD, I flew to Austria for a FIA Young Driver Academy. This three day driver camp is something that I can now reveal to all of our Rare Spares Facebook fans that I will be running in Australia for CAMS! This was the European version run by former F1 pilot, Alex Wurz and in October I will run the Asia Pacific version in Sydney. The camp focused on driving skills, fitness and sports physiology, all valuable skill sets for a budding race driver. After just three days in Europe (via Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Dusseldorf) to get there it was straight back to Brisbane for the Queensland Raceway V8 Supercars round. Finally on the Sunday night I flew home but only for four hours sleep as our HSV Drive Days kicked in at Sandown on the Monday morning. Bruce (our lucky Rare Spares winner) had a ball and I Iook forward to having more Rare Spares guests along later in the year so stay tuned!! Cheers, Cam.
Win A Day In The Drivers’ Den with Cameron McConville! 17 July 2013 11:45 Rare Spares (0) ShareRare Spares are offering two lucky winners an incredible HSV Drive experience with our Ambassador Cameron McConville. Don’t just meet Cameron McConville, join him for a lap around the track and a full day thrill-seeker experience, learning the tricks of the trade. Improve your skills behind the wheel and enjoy a refreshing lunch with this fantastic prize offering from Rare Spares. Valued at over $650 The Day in the Drivers’ Den package includes: The chance to meet Cameron McConville and other top racing drivers Experience the GEN-F range: drive the 430kW GTS, the race-bred ClubSport R8, the tradesman’s nirvana, the Maloo R8, the sophisticated Senator Signature and the ultimate freedom machine, the ClubSport R8 Tourer. Learn new skills around circuit driving, understeer/oversteer, ABS and swerve manoeuvres, seating and steering technique and more. A lap around the track with Cameron McConville A smorgasbord lunch with refreshments throughout the day "The ultimate HSV drive experience is for any thrill seeker looking to enhance their driving skills in an action-packed day on the track" Cameron McConville To enter this promotion click here! Entries close 3pm on July 23rd 2013.
Rare Spares would like to welcome you to our new blog! 12 July 2013 06:59 Rare Spares (0) Share Visit our blog for weekly updates on what we’ve been up to and any exciting projects we have underway. We will keep you informed with regular updates on: • News from local distributors • News on new products • The latest from our major sponsorships Touring Car Masters and V8 Utes • What’s happening in the world of our ambassadors John Bowe and Cameron McConville • Promotions and updates from our social media space • News on national Car Clubs and the rare spares loyalty program Watch this space!