The First Focus Radical Cup Australia will begin its 2024 season with a bang as it welcomes an 18-strong field for this weekend’s season opener at the Ford Mustang 60 Years Race Phillip Island.
While the entry list features a solid mix of new names and familiar faces spread across outright, Pro-Am class and Workhorse Am classes, the main talking point for the category is the inclusion of the brand-new SR3 XXR model.
Four drivers will be behind the wheel of the global one-make Sports Car’s newest and strongest vehicle, with category stalwarts Peter Paddon and Stephen Champion, Ash Samadi and youngster Cooper Cutts, who returns for his second year.
Purchase tickets to Ford Mustang 60 Years Race Phillip Island.
All four drivers will have plenty to fight for during the category’s two 45-minute races, with Paddon and Cutts likely to be battling it out for top honours, with the latter returning as the best-placed driver rom last year’s returnees.
Cutts enters the season as one of four drivers representing the West Australian outfit, with series regular Brad Russell back again, while Australian Formula 3 graduates, Chris Reindler and Bryce Moore will share driving duties in the one entry.
Also making the journey from the west side is series debutant and long-time Australian competitor Arthur Abrahams.
The former NRC International Formula Holden team owner won’t be the only driver to make their first appearance for the category this weekend, with Tim Macrow Racing’s Ethan Brown and GWR Australia’s Michael Donnellan also debuting.
Running with Garth Walden Racing, Donnellan will have plenty of experience to work off for his first round, as he shares driving duties with Walden himself, with Champion and Sue Hughes in the team.
Reigning Radical Cup Australia Champions, Volante Rosso Motorsport enter the season with a five-car charge, including, Bill Medland, James Hernandez, rookie Colin Ivory and a pair of two-driver combinations.
The two combinations will see Peter Clare have Josh Hunt with him, and Melinda Price alongside Greg Kenny.
The last remaining combination crew will be the familiar pairing of Terry Knowles and Barton Mawer, while Workhorse Am class contender Adam Naccarata rounds out the entry list.
The category will have multiple practice sessions on Friday and Qualifying Saturday morning, before one race will be held on both Saturday and Sunday at 12:00pm AEST.
Both races will be broadcast live and free on 7plus this weekend.
Purchase tickets to Ford Mustang 60 Years Race Phillip Island.
Ford Mustang 60 Years Race Phillip Island takes place at the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 12-14 April.
