Amber Anderson will make her debut in the V8 Utes Series at Mount Panorama next month.
The young female driver, who is usually seen on the race track as V8 Supercars’ official Safety Car driver, will compete with Big Gun Racing in a brand-new Ford FG.
Anderson’s entry will be backed by V8 Nights.
The drive will be for the final four rounds of the series, taking in Bathurst, Gold Coast, Winton and the finale in Sydney.
Anderson will get her first taste of the new Ute at Morgan Park tomorrow for a shakedown test, before conducting more testing at Queensland Raceway prior to her Bathurst debut.
The young femme is no stranger to Bathurst, having raced in the 2008 12 Hour, as well as a start in a Porsche 944 in Porsche Challenge at the famous mountain circuit.
She says she is looking forward to making a safe, solid start to her four race campaign with the leading team.
“I’ve done a lot of laps at Bathurst over the years, so that will help me with my learning curve,” Anderson told Speedcafe.com.
“The trickiest bit will be doing triple duty – racing in the Ute, plus Safety Car duties for V8 Supercars and the Dunlop Series. Cameron McConville has been giving me some tips on how to juggle different tasks, and he should know, so I think I’ll be OK.
“My goal is to qualify well, as far up the grid as I can. I’m aiming for mid-pack onwards. I think that is pretty realistic. The trick is to qualify well so you’re not caught up in the first lap action.”
Anderson hopes that she can impress in her four race deal to secure a full-time ride for 2013.
“I want to do a full-time arrangement. It’s awesome to have such an great sponsor to support me, and it’s a great opportunity with a leading team,” she said.
“The team has been great. It’s a new car and they’ve spared no expense. We’ll see how the first few races go and we’ll look at the future from there.”
Anderson will be team-mate to Ryal Harris, currently running second in the V8 Utes class behind Nathan Pretty.
Both Anderson and Pretty will be guests at the upcoming V8 Nights event, to be held will be at the Crown Casino in Melbourne this Thursday night, ahead of the Dick Smith Sandown 500.
Cameron McConville will host the event, with special guests including Garry Rogers Motorsport’s French import Alex Premat and his endurance partner Jack Perkins, Team Hiflex duo Tony D’Alberto and Dale Wood plus Team iSelect drivers Taz Douglas and Scott Pye.
Holden Racing Team driver Nick Percat will also be a special guest, and he will bring the Peter Brock Trophy with him – the prize he secured last year by winning the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets or for more information regarding this Thursday’s V8 Nights event.
