OzRacingWrap

After testing the waters last season with one off lease drives, Tim Boyle, Kris Walton and Danny Buzadzic will move to the V8 Utes category for a full season in the 2012 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by Armor All.

Boyle made his debut on the Gold Coast last year, and although he was held up in an unlucky incident in Race 3, the part-time actor couldn’t get enough of the racing and has decided to come back for more.

“The Series is a lot of fun and I’m ready to make the next step from state to national racing. It’s much more professional in the Utes and I enjoyed it a lot more than state competition. I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun this year and can’t wait to go racing,” said Boyle.

Boyle will drive James Brock’s Holden, which was raced last year by Brendan Cook, who will step down from the Series this year. Cook’s 2011 Teammate Ryan Hansford will be joined by fellow Queenslander Kris Walton in the Series. Walton drove in two rounds in 2012 after winning a race on debut in Sandown. Walton will also drive a Truckline backed Ford and the two will be managed by Queensland based Rod Dawson.

Danny Buzadzic is looking forward to a full year in the Series after testing his V8 Ute skills at Sandown and Sydney last year. Buzadzic is expecting some good advice from his cousin, former V8 Ute Champion Marcus Zukanovic.

“Marcus will come to a few rounds and I’ll definitely call on him for some advice. I’m extremely excited about everything. I can’t wait to get the Western General Body Works Falcon on the grid. It has all new parts and we are working hard to get it ready for Clipsal,” said Buzadzic.

Buzadzic will also be backed by Matt Harvey, head mechanic from the winning 2012 V8 Ute of Chris Pither.

“We’ve got some good support for the car. All of the guys in the V8 Utes are great and I know the guys from Big Gun Racing will also always be there for support,” he said.

Buzadzic bought his car off long-time V8 Ute supporter turned driver Gary Carson, who will step out of the Utes after driving for three years.

Motorsport veteran Charlie O’Brien will also hang up the gloves from V8 Ute driving and recently sold his car to 2011 runner-up David Sieders.

2011 debutants Nathan Pretty and Cameron McConville will also be back for another year in the Series along with the V8 Ute Wildcard Ute, which saw the likes of Tony Longhurst, Dean Canto, Marcus Zukanovic, Tim Blanchard, Marcus Marshall, Adam Macrow, David Besnard and Charlie O’Brien steer it last year.

The V8 Utes first round will kick-off at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, 1 – 4 March.

The 2012 Series consists of 24 races over eight rounds raced throughout Australia covering six states and one territory.