Monday, 1 August 2011

Racing Maloo - HSV Maloo

Two weeks after starting the 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' blog I remember getting a huge thrill from discovering an HSV Maloo on the streets of Bristol and learning that it was the fastest pickup truck in the world.

HSV Maloo R8, Castle Combe

Last weekend while at the Britcar British Endurance Championship Racing Weekend at Castle Combe I stumbled across another Maloo this time in full race trim including

HSV Maloo R8, Castle Combe

slick tyres to compliment it's 400 hp Corvette LS2 engine which according to one passer by in a Britcar T shirt is tuned to 600 hp good for reaching 60 mph in under 4 seconds.

HSV Maloo R8, Castle Combe

When I got home I was surprised to learn that there is an Australian racing series for Ford and Holden pick ups, where pickups are known as Utes, which is part of a staircase to find talent for the top tier Australian V8 Supercar series.

HSV Maloo R8, Castle Combe

Even more surprisingly I have found out that late last year an announcement was made by Britcar to the effect that they would organise a debut season for a UK V8Ute Series using only the rebranded Vauxhall VXR Maloo pickup model.

HSV Maloo R8, Castle Combe

The cars were to be rented from Britcar with the rental cost including entry fees for a full season of races.

HSV Maloo R8, Castle Combe

The plan was that at each meeting the Maloo's would take part in three 40 minute races with mandatory pit stops for driver changes.

HSV Maloo R8, Castle Combe

The projected series is on temporary hold, I look forward to an announcement from Britcar that the series will get a chance to go public and from Vauxhall that the VXR Maloo gets the opportunity to enter the UK market place.

Thanks for joining me on this Antipodean Racing edition of 'Gettin a lil' psycho on tyres' I hope that you will join me again tomorrow ! Don't forget to come back now !