Radical Cup Australia
The Radical Cup Australia (known as the First Focus Radical Cup Australia for sponsorship reasons) is a national motor racing series for racing the Radical SR3, built by Radical Sportscars. The series is sanctioned by Motorsport Australia, and run by a joint venture of the two Australian importers of Radical cars.[1]
The series consistently attracts grids of between 15 and 25 cars and features on the SRO Motorsports Group platform alongside GT World Challenge Australia.[2]
History
Early years (2011–2021)
One-make racing for Radical cars in Australia dates back to at least 2011, with the Radical Australia Cup featuring expanded events by that year.[3]
Modern era (2022–present)
The current Radical Cup Australia was founded in 2022 as a joint venture between the two Australian importers of Radical cars.[1] The series has experienced significant growth, regularly attracting fields of over 20 cars.[4]
In 2024, the series secured title sponsorship from First Focus, becoming known as the First Focus Radical Cup Australia.[5]
For 2025, the series aligned with the SRO Motorsports Group platform, moving away from the SpeedSeries to support GT World Challenge Australia.[2]
Format and regulations
Cars
Unmodified examples of the Radical SR3 (including most variants from throughout the model's history, and both 1340 and 1500cc engined models) are eligible to compete.[6]
Race format
The series is made up of a mixture of sprint (25-minute) and endurance (45 or 50-minute races).
Cars may (optionally) be shared between two drivers; if so, during endurance races there is a driver switch during a race pitstop; during a round featuring sprint races each driver drives two of the four races in the round.[6]
Drivers are classified as Pro, Pro-Am or Am based on their age and professional experience in motorsport; there are multiple series trophies awarded, dependent on driver categorisation.[6]
Media coverage
The series receives broadcast coverage through the Seven Network as part of the SRO Motorsports Australia platform.[7] Individual rounds have also been broadcast on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.[4]
Seasons
2022
The 2022 season was the first of the current format race seasons. The season consisted of 27 cars and 34 drivers. Race 5 had the largest driver participation, with 21 drivers in 15 cars.[8]
Drivers were grouped by category with the following split:
| Class | Number of registrants |
|---|---|
| Master | 10 |
| Rookie/Master | 4 |
| Rookie | 15 |
| NA/TBA | 5 |
The inaugural season was won by Chris Perini.[9]
2023
The 2023 season consisted of 33 drivers in 26 cars. The driver categorisation was changed from Master/Rookie, to Pro/AM.[10]
| Class | Number of registrants |
|---|---|
| Pro | 4 |
| Pro/AM | 6 |
| AM | 23 |
The final stage, race 5, at Sydney Motorsport Park was a title deciding race with 3 entrants capable of winning the series depending on the day's outcome.[11]
Teenager, Alex Gardner, secured the championship title[12] driving #94 Radical SR3 entry for Volante Rosso Motorsport.[11]
2024
In 2024 the series received new sponsorship and was referred to as the First Focus Radical Cup. This year included broadcast coverage on the Seven Network, Fox Sports and Kayo Sports plus live streaming at key rounds.[13] Driver and car registration increased to 45 drivers in 31 cars.[14]
| Class | Number of registrants |
|---|---|
| Pro | 4 |
| Pro/AM | 14 |
| AM | 27 |
Peter Paddon claimed the series title after a close championship battle with Cooper Cutts that went down to the final race at Mount Panorama Circuit.[15]
2025
The 2025 season marks the series' transition to the SRO Motorsports Australia platform, with all five rounds supporting GT World Challenge Australia events.[2]
Champions
| Year | Overall winner | Car # | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Chris Perini[16] | 81 | 339 |
| 2023 | Alex Gardner[17] | 94 | 421 |
| 2024 | Peter Paddon[18] | 31 | 841 |
| 2025 | - | - | - |
References
- ^ a b "HOME | Radical Cup Australia". Radical Cup Australia. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ a b c OBrien, Garry (2024-12-10). "Radical rounds for SRO's 2025 program". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ Speedcafe.com (2011-11-15). "Expanded events for Radical Australia Cup". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ a b Miles, Thomas (2024-05-15). "Radicals return to Perth, Price racing for special cause". Auto Action. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ Craill, Richard (2024-04-04). "First Focus for Radical Cup in 2024". The Race Torque. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ a b c "2024 Radical Cup Australia Sporting and Technical Regulations" (PDF). Radical Cup Australia. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ "Seven Network locked in for Shannons SpeedSeries". SpeedSeries. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ "2022 Standings". Radical Cup Australia. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ richardrt (2023-10-27). "Last time in Sydney". TransAm. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ "2023 Standings". Radical Cup Australia. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ a b "Grid confirmed for Radical Cup title decider". SpeedSeries. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ OBrien, Garry (2023-11-05). "Gardner secures Radical Cup while thrillers in Excels". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ Craill, Richard (2024-04-04). "First Focus for Radical Cup in 2024". The Race Torque. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ "2024 Standings". Radical Cup Australia. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ Roach, Jon (2024-11-18). "Paddon Crowned Radical Cup Australia Champion at Mount Panorama". Radical Motorsport. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ richardrt (2023-10-27). "Last time in Sydney". TransAm. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ OBrien, Garry (2023-11-05). "Gardner secures Radical Cup while thrillers in Excels". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ Australia, Radical Cup (2024-11-10). "Paddon takes the series win, while Cutts claims the round at Mount Panorama". Radical Cup Australia. Retrieved 2025-01-11.