Maiden NZV8 Utes win for Ludlam at Manfeild

The rain stayed away and new V8 Ute stars shone through during ‘Octoberfast’ at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon in Feilding over the weekend. Rising star Daniel Ludlam (main photo) scored his first ever win in Sunday’s Race Two, then backed it up with another win in Race Three. That was all he needed to win the V8 Utes’ season opener; a round supported by long term Utes partner UDC Finance.

The day before, however, the outlook was looking rather different. Two-time champion Brad Kroef topped Qualifying then went on to win Race One. A great start. He ultimately finished runner-up for the round while reigning champion Glen Collinson, despite a mechanical failure, managed third.

Sunday’s Race Two was a reverse grid format, where yesterday’s tailenders began up front. After starting eighth, Daniel Ludlam stormed through the mid-field and hit the lead by the third lap. From there he kept stretching his lead, lap after lap, enjoying the unfamiliar luxury of a clear track ahead.

Further back, reigning Utes champion Glen Collinson was on a charge. After starting plumb last, Glen was slicing through the mid-field and was hassling newcomer Cam Vernon for second place by the fifth lap. Cam kept ahead of the V8 Utes veteran until finally relenting late in the race ultimately settling for third. Greg Kroef put in a great race moving up from his seventh starting position to finish fourth. Phill Ross kept a cool head accelerating up four spots from ninth to fifth.

The race didn’t end so well for rookie Mitch Sparrow as a first lap altercation broke his left front suspension. Fortunately, Mitch and his crew managed to perform shock treatment on the wounded Holden in time for Race Three mid-afternoon. And what a race it was.

Glen Collinson started up front; a position he typically dominates for the entire race. But Daniel Ludlam had other plans. Daniel Ludlam snatched the lead by lap two, Glen soon re-took the lead, but beneath the surface, trouble was brewing.

Then on lap four, it all changed. Glen Collinson’s gearbox was in trouble leaving him only third gear, and his opportunist adversaries streamed past. Further back, Mitch Sparrow was making amends for the morning DNF. After starting last he was up to sixth by the third lap.

Daniel held the lead to the finish, Brad Kroef was menacingly close behind in second, while Phill Ross & Mitch Sparrow scrapped it out for third– trading places but fortunately not paint.

At the chequered flag, Daniel Ludlam was again the winner. Brad bagged some valuable series points for second, setting the fastest lap along the way. Phill Ross prevailed over Mitch Sparrow for third. With new drivers elevating the quality of V8 Ute racing, season 2025/26 is going to be one exciting season.

Also see: Kroef wins NZV8 Utes opening race at Manfeild