Dontas to make V8 Utes return in Townsville

Craig Dontas will feature among a field of 12 V8 Utes for Round 2 of the series in Townsville.

Dontas last raced in the V8 Utes Racing Series in last year’s Sydney Olympic Park finales, but has been contesting Stadium Super Trucks in more recent times.

As he did in 2016, the South Australian will race in a #45 Commodore prepared by Sieders Racing Team, with backing from GJ Gardner Homes.

Kim Jane heads to North Queensland holding the series lead after winning the first points paying round of the year at Winton in May, and will again be joined on the grid by former champions Ryal Harris and Marcus Zukanovic.

The most notable omission is Mason Barbera, who finished second overall at Winton and will be in Townsville behind the wheel of a Dunlop Super2 Series Commodore at Garry Rogers Motorsport.

His seat in the #17 Peters Motorsport Falcon will be filled by Matt Spratt, who shifts across from Peter Ward’s #44 Commodore, with Ward himself driving that car.

Western Sydney Motorsport will field two cars for the first time in the series, with Aussie Racing Cars points leader Craig Woods making his first V8 Utes start of the year in the team’s Falcon, while Blake Sciberras switches to a Commodore.

Round 2 of V8 Utes supports the Watpac Townsville 400 on July 7-9.

Entry list: Round 2: Reid Park Street Circuit