Experienced Supercars driver Steve Owen will make a rare return to V8 Ute racing in Townsville this weekend.

Owen is set to pilot a Murphy Motorsport Commodore backed by Ryco Filters for the Australian V8 Ute Racing Series at the Reid Park venue.

He will be in charge of the #14 Holden alongside existing team entries for Nathan Pretty and Kim Jane.

Owen had previously driven in the 10th anniversary Utes round at the Adelaide street track in 2010.

A dual Dunlop V8 Series champion, Owen is likely to back-up the Townsville appearance by sticking with the Murphy operation for the closing Bathurst and Gold Coast rounds in October.

“We’re thrilled to have Steve and Ryco come on board for this weekend,” Murphy Motorsport team principal David Murphy said.

“Hopefully it’s the start of bigger things to come. We’re keen for this relationship to go beyond Townsville and possibly grow into something bigger down the track.

“Steve is one of the better drivers out there that is not full-time in Supercars.

“He has the runs on the board in a wide variety of cars and that’s exactly why we’ve grabbed him to drive the Ryco Filters car.

“He’s got so much experience and has been successful in Townsville before; I can’t really think of a better guy to join us for this weekend.”

Owen will also be searching for an elusive maiden Bathurst 1000 victory as co-driver with 2014 champion Chaz Mostert in the #55 Supercheap Auto Prodrive Racing Australia Falcon from October 6-9.

His only main game wins to date are with Mostert’s team-mate, Mark Winterbottom in the Sandown 500 and with Jamie Whincup at the Gold Coast in 2010.