SuperUtes 2020 season cancelled

Last October, a cadre of leading teams took over the management of the category and announced a move to a control V8 petrol engine in place of the series’ previous turbodiesel powerplants for 2020.

The time to implement this powerplant change meant this year’s season was already looking at a late start, no earlier than June, and a five- or six-round championship at best, instead of the eight rounds that featured in 2019.

However, in February it was confirmed that this year’s season would be abandoned entirely, with a plan to resume racing in 2021.

In an interview with Auto Action, SRT team principal and owner of seven SuperUtes racers, Luke Seiders, said that converting the vehicles to V8 power was taking longer than expected, with far less than a full grid (15 to 20 vehicles) expected to be completed in time for even a late start to racing. Seiders added that, despite the 2020 season being abandoned, racing would definitely be going ahead in 2021.

Testing of some utes already converted to the LS3-based 6.2-litre V8 engine has resulted in faster lap times than with the old powerplant, with more speed expected once other modifications to the driveline are implemented.

The makeup of the 2021 grid is still a long way off, but a known absentee will be Ross Stone, who confirmed he would not be returning to SuperUtes after winning the 2019 championship with driver Tom Alexander.

Announcements on the 2021 SuperUtes season are expected later this year. Go to: supercars.com for updates.