Australia's fledgling new GT-Production racing class - the V8 BRutes - is set to become a real crowd-pleaser. Take a growing field of Holden and Ford V8 utes, give them equal performance - and then let a no-holds-barred bunch of drivers loose behind the wheel. If this kinda hay-bailer action doesn't bring you to the edge of your seat, nothing will!
The idea for a V8 ute racing category came about after overwhelming growth in PROCAR's GT-P and Nations Cup series. Craig Denyer - PROCAR Chief Operations Officer - explains, "Ford and Holden utes seem to be developing a real cult following, so now is the perfect time to start the special series." This year is the first for the BRutes to strut their stuff, and Craig is very confident of having a field of 20 utes by the end of the six round season - "maybe 30". One of PROCAR's priorities was to keep entry into the BRute category affordable. We're told it typically costs around $55,000 to buy a new Holden or Ford and get it fully race-prepared. Another $8800 is required to cover fees and - of course - then there's the season's panel beating bill.... A CAMS C4 licence is all the qualification required.
To ensure doorhandle-to-doorhandle racing, there are strict modification rules set down for the BRutes. Each vehicle must be equipped with "regulation" enhancements, which are sold as a PROCAR package. This comprises an exhaust, MoTeC engine management, high volume sump, clutch, differential, suspension, brakes and safety gear. To make sure no one's got an unfair advantage, Wayne Park Automotive (in Brisbane) must perform all the preparation work on every ute. Their engine, gearbox and diff are then CAMS-sealed for the season.
Okay, so now we'll show you over the BRute belonging to Craig's son - Grant "Mad Dog" Denyer...
A BRute Up Close
Mad Dog races a Ford AU Tickford XR8 ute. Ford Australia have (so far) built ten of these upgraded 200kW (268hp) utes specially for the BRute class. Ford's sole opposition is the 225kW (302hp) Holden 5.7 litre VU SS ute. Note that the Holden's 0.7-of-a-litre torque advantage is eliminated thanks to the mandatory fitment of a 50mm intake restrictor.
Mechanical mods in the BRute category are kept to a minimum. Each vehicle must be equipped with a MoTeC M48 engine management system that comes mapped (and password protected) by PROCAR. Craig says that these computers are mapped to make the power and torque figures "pretty close" between the 5.0 Ford and the 5.7 Holden. The Ford's 180 km/h speed limiter is also removed.
Other than MoTeC, the only other permitted engine modification is a free-flowing exhaust system from the factory headers back. PROCAR have designed an identical system for Holdens and Fords, comprising a 3-inch mandrel bent pipe and an Edelbrock straight-through rear muffler. Of course, in addition to delivering more power, the big exhaust also fills a racetrack venue that typical V8 roar. There's nothing quite like it!
The regulation MoTeC and exhaust system mods are said to yield around 164kW (220hp) at the rear wheels of both the Ford and Holden. This figure is achieved running on a control fuel, which is - invariably - Shell Optimax. Mad Dog's pet food additives are not allowed...
Mad Dog tells us these lightly tickled V8 engines are really docile in a racetrack environment. "They rev smoothly to 5700 rpm and they've got terrific response." All of that vee-eight torque is efficiently put the road thanks to a PROCAR package button clutch and a Wayne Park-special spool differential (with the factory ratio). All cars use their standard manual gearbox - 5-speed in the Ford, 6-speed in the Holden.
The suspension hardware is similar on the Fords and Holdens, though the Ford still uses a leaf spring rear end. King provides the PROCAR regulation springs (progressive rate and significantly firmer than standard) as well as fixed valve dampers. Swaybars are left stock. The only suspension fiddling left open to each competitor is the ride height and wheel alignment. Teams often chose to set the front end to around 4 degrees negative camber, which helps reduce front tyre wear.
According to Mad Dog, the XR Ford is fairly well balanced. It turns in well and it only oversteers if you enter a corner too fast or get on the power too early coming out. However, some understeer is said to creep in when the front tyres start to wear out. Gumboot 235/45 Pirelli P Zero Cs are the series control tyres for all weather conditions. A full set of four is allocated to each vehicle for each round of the season. Each tyre is mounted on the factory 17 x 8 alloys.
Braking these 1600-odd kilogram monsters are near-standard anchors. Using the stock rotors, Castrol SRF fluid and Endless pads, each car is good for around 8 full-blooded laps before the pedal "goes a bit spongy". With the requirement that factory ABS is disconnected, drivers really need to "use their head" when it comes to preserving the brakes and tyres. Technically, you shouldn't see tyre any lock-ups leading into corners - but you will!
Note that each car must retain its full interior trim. You're not even allowed to remove the factory CD player! At present, however, the Holden is reputed to weigh around 80kg less than the XR Ford. Ballast (hay bales?!) may soon be added to the Holden to even things up.
Strict safety guidelines have also been set by PROCAR. Each BRute must carry a Race Car Engineering roll cage, a FIA-approved race seat and harness, window net, wheel studs and a battery isolation switch. Interestingly, steering wheel airbags must be deactivated. The Fords also see their standard 2-piece tailshaft replaced with a single piece shaft. This avoids any "whip up" at high speed.
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Footnote
After photographing his VIP Pet Food sponsored XR8 ute, Mad Dog took an unexpected turn towards the end of the Adelaide 500 demo race. After putting on a great show for the crowd, he barrelled into a right hand corner and applied the brakes - not knowing that one of the front pads had de-laminated... The speeding outa-control XR then slammed up the back of another BRute and sent them both into the kitty litter. Mad Dog struck the wall quite hard but - thankfully - stepped out unharmed. So if this is only the demo race, it sure looks like we're in for a helluva spectacular BRutes season! Contact: PROCAR Australia www.procar.com.au
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