Monster one-hour enduro to test the V8 Utes at Taupo

The V8 Utes head back to Taupo this weekend, this time for a marathon one-hour Yokohama One-Hour Enduro this Sunday, 26th April, as part of the NZIGP’s ‘Spirit of ANZAC’ event.

Long-distance events like this always push drivers and their machines to the limit – and provide a riveting spectacle for fans. While typical V8 Utes races are done and dusted in 10 laps, we could potentially see the V8 Utes complete 30+ spirited laps. Thanks to Yokohama’s backing, the tyres will certainly be up to the task.

Past ultra-distance events have shown that anything can happen – and it’s not always the series leaders that come out on top. Stu Monteith won the previous one-hour event back in 2023. Who will have the staying power this weekend?

When the V8 Utes did battle at Taupo International Motorsport Park during Round 4 in March, we saw a significant reshuffling of the order at the top of the 2025-26 season points tally.

Brad Kroef still sits on top, having been a top qualifier and scored repeated podiums, including three race wins this season. But there are some hot talents accelerating up behind him.

Second in the running and a big mover up the standings is Mitch Sparrow in the Diggabits Holden ute – he’s also been a top qualifier and had three race wins. Daniel Ludlam sits in 3^rd, after a round win and two race wins. For the Holden vs Ford tribalists, that means a Ford FG Falcon ute leads with two Holdens mounting a strong challenge not far behind.

While he may have missed Round Two, reigning title-holder Glen Collinson hasn’t missed the opportunity to win two races and score four 2^nd places in the rounds he has competed, elevating him to 4^th in the series.

Greg Kroef, a top qualifier, and Phill Ross, a race winner this season, sit 5th & 6th, respectively, and are just a few points down, potentially in contention for the title if they continue to put in strong performances.

Adding to the spectacle will be the NZ Sixes – six-cylinder Commodores and Falcons, who’ll once again line up on the grid just a few seconds behind the utes.

Unlike a typical V8 Utes race weekend, there’ll be no practice sessions to sort out the gremlins, just a 15-minute Qualifying session early Sunday afternoon, which will determine grid positions. Then, in the late afternoon, Yokohama One-Hour Enduro will be the last event of the weekend. 

Header Image: Dillon Photography