With the RA Cup Australia having one more round scheduled for the remainder of 2021, three-time champion Peter Paddon is looking forward to getting the opportunity to race his new car again.
The series’ third round is part of a jam-packed schedule to feature in the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships’ second consecutive weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park in October.
The New South Welshman got off to a strong start to the season in Bathurst, finishing runner-up behind Brad Shiels in the opening race, before notching up his first victory of the season in race two.
Unfortunately, he was unable to enjoy a similar weekend during the second round at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Unveiling his new car at the home of RA Cup Australia, Paddon showed plenty of pace in his new Radical SR3XX, qualifying second on the grid for both outings.
However what should have been a weekend of celebration turned out to be the complete opposite as he finished sixth in race one due to throttle issues and failed to finish the second race.
Since May’s second round, Paddon has since fixed the car to a far more competitive level and was looking forward to getting back out there.
“It’s been a strange season again and not just in regard to all the COVID cancellations” Paddon said.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be the perfect year and that it would take time to get things right, but we have now got it to where it needs to be and we’re certainly up to speed with it now.
“Although we didn’t get the results we were hoping for, Sydney is our home track and I couldn’t have asked for a better circuit to debut the new car. We did get some personal bests, which is promising.”
Like many other series, RA Cup Australia has had its 2021 season on hold due to border restrictions, with the next round scheduled to be The Bend Motorsport Park.
While some drivers have fully embraced the South Australian circuit, Paddon remains a little cautious about his own experience at the venue.
“I haven’t had the best of luck at The Bend in previous years if I am honest,” Paddon added.
“It’s such a good racer’s circuit though because there are different bits to it and the elevation is great. I love the second last corner as it’s super technical and then there is massive bravery required coming in on the straight.
“With that said, the problem with The Bend is that first corner and the long straight leading up to it. On race starts, it’s really easy for back markers to miss their braking points and slide into the back of people, which causes crashes and that has happened to me on multiple occasions.
“However, if you get past that point with no issue, then it’s game on and a great track. It would be a nice way to finish the year off if we can get there in October.”
The RA Cup Australia’s third round of the 2021 season is part of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships’ round at The Bend Motorsport Park on 22-24 October.