Cootamundra racer Luke Webber has unveiled new Wiradjuri-inspired car livery ahead of his SuperUte debut in Darwin next weekend. Photo: Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series.
Cootamundra racer Luke Webber will soon be ditching his Mazda RX-8 for a supercharged ute as he prepares to join one of Australia’s premier racing competitions.
The V8 SuperUtes series is a support category for the incredibly popular Supercars Championships and is one of the most competitive racing competitions in Australia.
Luke and his Mazda BT-50, newly painted with First Nations-inspired livery, will be making its debut for the second round of competition in Darwin tomorrow.
“I am very excited to finally get started in V8 SuperUtes because it’s been my childhood dream to race V8s at a high level,” said Webber.
“Since a very young age, I have been obsessed with all things cars and racing and would spend most afternoons cutting laps around my family’s property.
“I am beyond excited that I finally get this opportunity to fulfil a dream and to begin it in Darwin, such a beautiful part of Australia, makes it even more special and I cannot wait to get there.”
Following several race wins in the RX-8 Cup, Luke decided to purchase the ute class Mazda BT-50. The ute formerly belonged to racer Lachlan Gardner but hasn’t been raced since 2023.
The BT-50 has switched between a number of former racers including Rob McMahon and the late Craig Jenner.
Luke Webber after a successful race in his Mazda RX-8 in 2023. Photo: Luke Webber Racing.
Luke will be making his SuperUte debut as part of the series’ Indigenous Round and to honour the occasion he asked Wiradjuri artist Shelby-Rae Lyons, owner of Marara Designs in Wagga Wagga, to create the artwork for the ute.
“The inspiration for the artwork comes from Wiradjuri Country,” Shelby-Rae said.
“I wanted the design to reflect the people and the drivers coming together. In the artwork, you can see people sitting around one another and that demonstrates the people gathering together, their connection and their families surrounding them as well as their support system.
“The kangaroo tracks also represent home as well. Here in Wiradjuri Country, we are surrounded by kangaroos and they are famous for not hopping backwards and always moving forward. I thought this really represented Luke’s journey and his debut.
“The colours were inspired by Luke’s ute; it was already black and gold. I added a little bit of white and that really helped the artwork pop.”
Shelby-Rae said she could’t wait to see her artwork along with other First Nations designs on track and was excited to see it go all the way to Darwin in front of a large Indigenous population.
“I’m so honoured that Luke and his family chose me to design the livery. It’s such a special feeling. If I wasn’t due for a baby, I would have flown up with them to Darwin to see it in person, but I’ll definitely be watching from home.”
Round two of the Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series runs in Darwin from 14-16 June, as part of the betr Darwin Triple Crown as a support to the Repco Supercars Championship.
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.
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