The Radical Australia Cup enters its final round of the 2018 season at the Shannons Nationals at Sydney Motorsport Park on 21 -23 September
After four rounds, the title looks won but with the return of 2017 champion Peter Paddon, who will be racing for fun, anything in the final round is possible.
1.Kim Burke
255 points – One Round win /One Round podium
It’s been a year of consistency for the Radical Cup Australia leader, Kim Burke, who has been near the front all year, with a round victory at Sandown his best performance.
Burke has one hand on the cup ahead of the season finale, with only a finish required to take out the outright series win.
In the unlikely event that Burke doesn’t record any points throughout the weekend, Christ Perini has to win the round to have chance of overtaking Burke.
Highest Finish: First
Lowest Finish: Second
Realistic: First
2.Chris Perini
193 points – No Round win / One Round podium
Perini has enjoyed a solid start to his Radical career, sitting second after four rounds, his best result for the year coming at Sandown where took out third outright.
The first-year driver is the only driver on the grid in a position to steal the title from Burke, but will need Burke to produce a DNF every race, while he himself will need to win the round.
It’s a highly unlikely scenario as Burke has finished ever round this year and Perini is yet to finish above the bottom the step of the podium.
While Perini only needs to finish to secure second, he will also be keeping an eye on Brad and Mitchell Neilson, with the duo technically able to overtake him.
No points to Perini and a round win to any of the top-five drivers below him could see a mighty fall off the podium.
Highest Finish: First
Lowest Finish: Fifth
Realistic: Second
3.Mitchell and Brad Neilson
150 points – No Round win / One Round podium
A title is off the cards, but a runner-up is a definite possibility for the duo from New South Wales should they attend the event.
With their best result coming at The Bend Motorsport Park with second, the pair will be confident they can pull a remarkable comeback and place second for the season.
It will be hard and unfortunately, it’s out of their hands, as they will need to finish at least seven spots ahead of Perini, or just finish inside the top three and hope he does not finish or turn up.
Only 28 points separates the Neilsons and the two drivers in fourth, so there is a chance they may drop to fifth. Finish inside the top-five, and they will finish on the podium.
Highest Finish: Second
Lowest Finish: Seventh
Realistic: Third
4. Tony Haggerty
122 points – No Round win / No Round podium
It’s going to be tough for Tony Haggerty to claim a podium finish, but not impossible.
The 60-year-old needs a combination of luck and skill to finish at least five spots ahead of the Neilsons and replace them in third position outright.
He will also have to have finish on the podium for the round, which is something he has not been able to do all year. A DNF could also see him fall out of the top five and into seventh.
Highest Finish: Third
Lowest Finish: Seventh
Realistic: Fourth
4. James Winslow and Yasser Shahin
122 points – One Round win / No Round podium
The Bend Motorsport Park Radical has only attended two tracks for the year and after their disappointing home round in Tailem Bend, they bounced back in Phillip Island to claim a round win.
The duo have the ability to go back-to-back, only needing to finish inside the top two or finish a minimum of four spots ahead of the Neilsons to sneak into the top three.
A race win for themselves and a DNF to Perini could see them claim a sensational runner-up finish, should they decide to attend the round.
Highest Finish: Second
Lowest Finish: 10th
Realistic: Fourth
6. Sue Hughes
105 points – No Round win/ One Round podium
Hughes enjoyed her first podium for the year in Phillip Island last round but will need a miracle to finish on the podium
She will require a DNF from the Neilsons, as well as finish at least three spots ahead of the three drivers above her.
A round win could shake things up a little bit.
Highest Finish: Third
Lowest Finish: 15th
Realistic: Fourth
7. Peter Clare
103 points – No Round win/ No Round podium
Like Hughes, Peter Clare still has a mathematical chance of breaking into the top three, but it’s highly unlikely.
Needs to produce his first podium or win for the year, finish three or four spots ahead Shahin/Winslow, Haggerty and Hughes and hope that Neilsons fail to finish.
A podium is pretty much impossible for Claire, but then again, it was “impossible” for Steven Bradbury in the 2002 winter games.
Highest Finish: Third
Lowest Finish: 15th
Realistic: Sixth
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STANDINGS
