A familiar face around the Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series paddock, Murray Slana has decided to step away from his position as Technical Delegate, a role he has devoted his service to for over a decade.

Slana was farewelled by category managers and officials following the most recent round of the Supercars Championship at the Sandown 500, which also served as the final round of the V8 SuperUte Series.

“I was just taken aback by the recognition and the thanks that I did get from the category, and also from Motorsport Australia, which I had never expected, but I’ve certainly appreciated,” Slana said.

“I’ll hold that close to my heart for a lot of years, it’s been a wonderful experience. I’m going to miss it, I know, but I’m going to watch it on TV as much as I can, and hopefully, in my caravan travelling time, I will try come and visit them as a spectator.”

As part of Slana’s departure, he was presented with a signed Motorsport Australia flag from SuperUtes Race Directors David Stuart, David Mori and James Taylor and was honoured with a Recognition of Service Award at the end of year V8 SuperUtes Awards Night.

Slana first became an official in the 1970s, before making the shift to off road race volunteering, and stepping up to scrutineering for circuit racing events.

After accumulating an abundance of circuit experience, Slana was selected to form part of the V8 Ute Racing Series leadership team as Technical Commissioner in 2012.

Slana noted the SuperUtes category had undergone an abundance of change over the years, including the revamped series joining Supercars Championship line-up in 2018 where it debuted at the 2018 Adelaide 500 and the return to V8 engines in 2020.

Slana was there for it all, stating the SuperUtes community has stayed a close-knit group over the years.

“I guess departing feels like a sweet and sour dish,” Slana added.

“There’s the sour part – the fact that I’m leaving the category and disconnecting from a lot of colleagues, friends that I have had over many, many years. The sweet side of it – it’s going to give me time to spend more time with my wife, Liz, where we can start to see what’s on the other side of the horizon, so we can do a little bit of travelling and spend that time together.

“Without a doubt, I will miss it, there’s no qualms about that. I’m also at an age that I believe that it’s time for me to move aside, so I don’t become a roadblock preventing younger people starting to work their way up through the system. The category is in a really good place and it’s heading in an exciting direction.”

V8 SuperUtes Category Manager Filippa Guarna spoke highly of Slana’s impact on the sport, emphasising he would be missed by his peers in future years.

“Murray deserves every accolade you can imagine not just for his longstanding service as Technical Delegate of the Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series, but no doubt many other series before us and his efforts training the next generation of Technical Delegates to come,” Guarna said.

“His steadfast commitment to the sport, his unmatched technical expertise, and also fair-minded approach to competition has allowed everyone new and experienced to learn and grow under his guidance. That’s why he’s earned the respect of competitors and colleagues alike.

“An incredible man who’s kind, humble and wise, his legacy will continue to guide our series for years to come. We will dearly miss him in the paddock but remain truly grateful for having him part of our paddock for so many years.”

Slana also took the time to thank the SuperUtes team for their support over the years, including Guarna, Board Director Luke Sieders, Technical Manager Wayne Williams, second Board Director Mark Bevan, and the wider executive team.