The Hyundai X3 Series Queensland series will join the Shannons Nationals for the first time this year with a full field expected to race at Queensland Raceway this month.
The Excels are fast becoming one of the most popular categories amongst competitors, with more than 300 CAMS licence holders registered to the category around the country.
Ranging from 14-year-old junior drivers to seniors aged 60 plus, the category allows competitors an affordable way to race in motor sport.
With the series’ third round looming, SeriesX3 Queensland president John Broadbent believes that there are no issues with filling the grid but more with keeping it full of quality.
“We are expecting around the mid-30s, but hopefully we end up with grid capacity for the event, which I don’t think is an unrealistic expectation,” Broadbent explained.
“Overall the category is booming because it is probably the truest form of grassroots motor sports, as it allows anyone to compete.
“Trying to fit over 300 plus in a grid of 55 doesn’t really work so finding the right people who fill the right criteria to compete can be a challenging task.”
With the series to take part in a Nationals event for the third time in its short history, Broadbent was thankful to CAMS for the opportunity.
“The best thing about the Shannons Nationals inviting us to take part in their Queensland leg is that it gives our competitors a taste at what a national event is like,” Broadbent added.
“It provides them with an opportunity to go to a national level and to realise and you have to lift your game and you have to be on the ball.
“Thankfully we have a good relationship with CAMS, as we have been invited to the Nationals event in consecutive years now, and I hope this relationship can continue for another 10 years and beyond.
“It is relationship that helps us provide fantastic opportunities to younger kids.”
As the category continues to grow gaining international exposure thanks to performing at events like the Shannons Nationals, Broadbent remains a believer in development and hopes that the category stays true to what makes it so popular.
“The club’s aim is to provide people with a means to get into motor sport,” Broadbent added.
“If young kids spend two or three years and then move on to another category or a CAMS sanctioned event and they know what they have to do a race track, then we have done our job.
“That is our main goal.”
The series is one of five categories to take part in this month’s Shannons Nationals round, alongside the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia, Australian Production Car Series, Australian Prototype Series presented by Hot Wheels and the National Sports Sedan Series.
The Shannons Nationals fourth round will take place at Queensland Raceway on 28-29 July.