The first SuperUtes have been unveiled in Townsville alongside the series calendar and naming rights sponsor ahead of the category’s 2018 launch.

Supercars unveiled the Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton SuperUtes which will feature in the all new turbo diesel platform which will take over from the current V8 Ford and Holden model next year.

Series organisers also confirmed that competitors will also be able to run Mazda BT-50, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and Holden Colorado SuperUtes which have successfully been homologated.

Each will be fitted with a $60,000 control kit of components which has been developed by Pace Innovations. Speedcafe.com understands a maiden public demonstration will take place at the Red Rooster Sydney Super Sprint (August 18-20).

The reveal arrives at the Townsville 400 event which was originally slated to launch the category this year, before organisers elected to delay the project by 12 months.

A draft eight round calendar has been announced with the new Utes category while East Coast Bull bars, a long time Utes supporter, has been confirmed as the naming rights partner.

The inaugural East Coast Bull Bars SuperUtes Series is set to kick off at the Adelaide 500 (TBC) in March before trips to the CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown (TBC), the Townsville 400, the Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint, Red Rooster Sydney SuperSprint, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Gold Coast 600 and Coates Hire Newcastle 500.

“These SuperUtes not only look stunning but are a purpose-built race car which will be amazing to drive, is market relevant, affordable and with the highest safety levels,” said Supercars Managing Director Matt Braid.

“This will be a fantastic Series to compete in and for spectators to watch.

“ECB is a fantastic partner with an enormous passion for the ute segment which is the third highest category in the Australian car market to small cars and SUVs.”

The category has enlisted form Supercars hall of famer Ross Stone to help develop the project.

The former Stone Brothers Racing boss is set to run three SuperUtes in the series next season and believes the class will become a genuine stepping stone to Supercars.

“It is going to be a fantastic category for the competitors and the fans,” said Stone.

“I wanted to look at something that would be a strong feeder category to Supercars and the more I looked at the SuperUtes the more I liked it. They are going to be a really good thing.

“It won’t be over the top with data but we’re going to have enough for a young driver to learn and have a good base of knowledge to progress into Dunlop Super2 Series or the main game.

“I’ve I really enjoyed getting in and helping the Supercars technical guys put the package together. It’s been a lot of work, but once the series is up and running I’ll just be a competitor.”

The Sieders Racing Team has supported the new SuperUtes series from the outset, with the squad already planning to field multiple entries including the Mitsubishi Triton.

Former V8 Utes race winner Craig Dontas has been confirmed as the outfit’s first driver.

“Ute racing has been a huge part of the Australian racing culture and we see this as the next phase for what has been an incredibly popular category for such a long time,” said Dontas.

“We have played a big part in the Series and are very excited about the future with SuperUtes as a new and market relevant platform which will bring news fans to the sport.

“Our plan is to run a multi-car operation. The goal is to expand to at least three SuperUtes with a junior development style program with at least one additional entry.”

Full technical specifications for the SuperUtes Series have been disclosed to current V8 Utes Racing Series competitors.

Top-line specifications for SuperUtes: 

Production based dual/twin cab ute
Rear wheel drive
Manufacturer Turbo diesel engine, category controlled engine performance
Weight minimum of 1800kg
Manufacturers OEM Body Styling Options
Control cage (CAMS approved control cage specification), brakes, tyres, wheels, springs/dampers
OEM front suspension components (subject to confirmation)
Control gearbox and ratios
Control rear axle assembly, with controlled Detroit locker and ratio
Control ECU (Motec)

Supercars approved control specification kit consisting of:

Diesel Engine evaluation
Motec dash colour display/data logger
Exhaust – (OE manifold)
Suspension – Front and Rear SupaShock shock absorbers and springs
Brakes – Brembo 6 piston front and 4 piston rear calipers, Brembo front and rear discs
Tilton Pedal box and master cylinders incorporating brake bias adjustments
Control gearbox and ratios; Control differential and ratio; Control tyres; 20 inch Control wheels
Control specification roll cage (bespoke to each manufacturer) – CAMS approved.