As we begin a new year, as in years past new racing series are set to debut, this time in Europe and Australia.
This week in the Motorsport Series & Track Day News Roundup I bring you details of two new single-seater series, the future of light prototype racing, SRO supporting the new ADAC DTM, a new private racing facility in Michigan and more.
All this in the latest edition of the Motorsport Series & Track Day News Roundup.
Sportscars
Watch a trackside interview discussing the future of light prototype racing with Liza Markel, Phil Abbott who Co-founded Radical in 1997 and was instrumental in the design and production of the Radical model range. Phil’s latest focus has been developing a new race car company called Revolution Race Cars. Phil has a tremendous passion for Race cars and the Racing community and Lars GV who is co-founder and chairman of Circuito do Sol in Portugal as well as the founder of the LPC championship, recorded at Portimão (Autódromo Internacional do Algarve) on December 2022. They also answer the question as to why young drivers may want to race this class of cars. You can watch the video above.
Australian Production Cars and GT4 have been added to the support program for the 2023 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour according to Speed Cafe. A combined APC/GT4 grid will take to Mount Panorama for three 40-minute sprint races at the Easter production car endurance event, which is set to be held between April 7-9. It will mark the first time that GT4 has a dedicated race at Bathurst.
SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel has voiced his support for ADAC’s takeover of DTM, stating the non-conflicting weekends with Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the use of SRO’s Balance of Performance system will result in further synergies to GT racing as a whole.
“I definitely prefer DTM with ADAC than the previous situation,” he said. “ADAC is working hand in hand with us. We have an excellent collaboration. The pillars are non-clashing dates. We worked our calendars together and the calendar they presented for DTM now doesn’t clash with us. Also our collaboration with GT4. I’m sure with the DTM Trophy ending that GT4 Germany will have a very big grid and we also have a partnership on that. I’m pleased.”
Click here to read all the details at sportscar365.com
MPG Racing has announced some preseason testing dates at their Apex Motor Club in Arizona on Feb 6-7. The event will offer live timing for competitors as well as full safety and track support.
Location: Apex Motor Club, 22408 N Ralston Rd, Maricopa, AZ 85139
Dates: Feb. 6-7
Entry Fee: $1,500
Series Eligible: GT Celebration, Prototype Celebration, Cup Celebration and M2 Celebration
Registration deadline is Jan. 27th.
More details and the schedule can be found here,
For any questions regarding registration please contact mallory@mpg-racing.com.
In the video above, Grassroots Motorsports looks to answer the question, is this the ultimate BMW GT4 race car?
Single-Seaters
The new Eurocup-3 Series has been making news as they have both revealed the look of their Formula Regional-based chassis as well as finalizing their 2023 calendar.
Tatuus’s T-318 Formula Regional chassis forms the basis of the car, which will run using a tuned-up version of the Alfa Romeo-branded engine that several FRegional series use. What has now been unveiled is the new bodykit that Tatuus has designed to make Eurocup-3’s car lighter and more aero-efficient than the T-318 that has been campaigned across the world since 2018. No date has been publicly given on when kits will be delivered to prospective teams.
The 2023 schedule is as follows:
| Round | Circuit | Date | Support bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot | 5–7 May | F4 Spanish Championship 24H GT Series |
| 2 | MotorLand Aragón, Alcañiz | 27–28 May | F4 Spanish Championship RFEDA Racing Weekend |
| 3 | Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza | 10–11 June | 24H GT Series |
| 4 | Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort | 15–16 July | Zandvoort Summer Trophy |
| 5 | Circuito de Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera | 23–24 September | F4 Spanish Championship RFEDA Racing Weekend |
| 6 | Circuito do Estoril, Estoril | 30 September – 1 October | F4 Spanish Championship |
| 7 | Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Cheste | 14–15 October | F4 Spanish Championship RFEDA Racing Weekend |
| 8 | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló | 11–12 November | F4 Spanish Championship RFEDA Racing Weekend |
Eurocup-3 is being brought together by the same promoter as Spanish F4, which consists of representatives from several teams. It aims to undercut Formula Regional European Championship and the F3-level Euroformula series with a FRegional-based chassis from Tatuus that is lighter and more aero-efficient than its current design for that category and with a tuned-up version of the Alfa Romeo-branded engine that several FRegional series use.
The Australian Formula Open Series has released the calendar for its inaugural season in 2023. The category caters for open-wheel machinery such as Formula 3, Formula 4 and Formula Renault.
The 2023 calendar consists of both national and state-level fixtures with the season to commence at Winton Motor Raceway on March 4-5 before heading to Sydney Motorsport Park for Round 2 on April 15-16.
| Round | Circuit | Date | Support bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winton Motor Raceway Winton, Victoria | 4–5 March | MA NSW State Championship |
| 2 | Sydney Motorsport Park Eastern Creek, New South Wales | 15–16 April | MA NSW State Championship |
| 3 | The Bend Motorsport Park Tailem Bend, South Australia | 9–11 June | Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia |
| 4 | Queensland Raceway Willowbank, Queensland | 4–6 August | MA Trophy Series |
| 5 | Sandown Raceway Melbourne, Victoria | 8–10 September | SpeedSeries Australia |
| 6 | Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Ventnor, Victoria | 25–26 November | Island Magic |
Details of the annual Lucas Oil Formula Car Winter WarmUp Series have been released.
Each event will span two days and offer two practice sessions to learn the track, two qualifying sessions and two 30′ minute sprint races. For those hoping to compete for the $250,000 Grand Prize Scholarship in our 2023 Lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series, the Winter WarmUp Series offers a huge head start in the competition. Not only will you gain valuable time in our race cars, but you’ll also get to learn two of the tracks that will be featured in the summer season.
As is the case with all of our race events and schools, our Winter Series is completely arrive and drive – we provide the cars, the mechanics, and instructors so that you can focus on racing to the fullest of your potential. Come join us in sunny Florida for another spectacular Winter Series!
Click here to read all the details at lucasraceschool.com
Touring Cars
The WSC Group has announced that the TCR hybrid system has been delayed until 2024, stating the “change of format of World Touring Car competition” as reason.
“This decision has been dictated by the new scenario that opened following the change of format of World Touring Car competition,” said WSC president Marcello Lotti.
Click here to read all the details at www.touringcartimes.com
Miscellaneous Racing Series
The 2022 FIA Motorsport Games released some facts and figures from last year’s competition and they are impressive. The ones that caught my eye were that 49 FIA ASNs competed at the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games, but the 2022 edition attracted a total of 72 nations and that the Games attracted 463 competitors in Marseille compared to 166 in Rome.
Click here to read all of the facts and figures at www.fiamotorsportgames.com
Registrations for all BRSCC championships and series will be opening on Monday, January 23rd 2023, meaning everyone will shortly be able to start booking themselves into their respective paddocks ahead of the new campaign. Then, just a week later, race entries will be opening on Monday January 30th 2023.
Plus, for all those wondering about 2023 regulations, they are all currently still work in progress and drafts of each will be available in due course, so stay tuned for more details on those very soon.
The SCCA has released their 2023 Runoffs qualification criteria in addition to the invited classes. The SCCA National Championship Runoffs returns to VIR on Sept. 23-Oct. 1, 2023. From qualification criteria to invited classes, here’s everything you need to know.
Track Days
Cars
Grassroots Motorsports asks: Why is the Porsche 996 911 GT3 Cup car such a popular choice for vintage racing? Safety, reliability and factory support make taking this car to the track much easier than other options. At HSR’s 24-hour race at Daytona International Speedway, pro racing driver Johan Schwartz told us why as a driver he likes the 911 GT3 Cup so much in the video above.
Track Day Developments & Opportunities
Illustration: City of Howell, Atwell, Photo: Phil Clark/EyeEm Getty, Image: Lalita Chemello
Motorsports Gateway Howell plans to break ground next month on a 273-acre facility in Howell, Michigan, as reported by the Detroit Free Press. Similar to the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, just north of Detroit, the new auto club will boast a 2.2-mile circuit with private trackside garage condos and a member club house. What’s different is the Howell track will be 2.2 miles compared to M1’s 1.5-mile circuit, and according to Howell planning documents, the facility will include a public nature trail.
Motorsports Gateway Howell’s website says the planned driving circuit will “follow FIA grade safety standards” taking into account the elevation changes and surrounding natural areas. The 2.2 mile track will feature a half-mile straight, 40-foot track width and 150-mph top speeds, projected via simulation with a 2021 Porsche 911. The multi-configuration track is expected to be completed this coming summer, with track extension coming in the next build phase.
Members who purchase private garages can count on ample space between neighbors on either side, as the site says it will allow for natural lighting from the front and back of each condo while also considering neighborly noise and privacy. These garages aren’t just out in the open for anyone to drive past either. No, these condos are behind secure gates — part of a gated racing community.
Click here to read more details at jalopnik.com
Team News
Van der Steur Racing will move up to the top class of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge next year with an Aston Martin Vantage GT4. The Maryland-based squad has competed in TCR since 2020 but is now making the step up to the higher GS category in a bid for overall honors.
Rockwell Autosport Development has confirmed a two-car full season effort with Audi RS 3 LMS TCR cars in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge next year. The New Jersey-based operation, which previously ran under the Belgard and Techniseal Racing banner, will field two Gen 1 Audis, anchored by Denis Dupont (No. 15) and Preston Brown (No. 10), with Nick Looijmans, Eric and Alex Rockwell set as co-drivers. It marks an expansion of the team’s previous efforts in the TCR class.
Paul Sheard Racing are back for the 2023 TCR UK Touring Car Championship, where the team have committed to two full-season entries, running two ex-WTCR Audi RS3 LMS TCR Gen 2 cars for former Ginetta GT4 Supercup drivers Joe Marshall and Garry Townsend. This will be the first time that the Audi RS3 LMS TCR Gen 2 cars will compete in the championship, having already seen success in series such as TCR Europe and the FIA World Touring Car Cup – WTCR under the guidance of the Belgian Comtoyou Racing squad.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.