Lamborghini and their re-commitment to sports car racing, along with advice on owning Radical race cars are just two of the motorsport series developments reported in this week’s edition of the Motorsport Series News Roundup.
In addition to this, I have news about racing series developments in India, the rebranding of Indy Lights, British Touring Car Championship rule changes, FIA driver rating updates and much more.
All this in this week’s edition of the Motorsport Series News Roundup.
Sports Cars
Lamborghini has released the schedule for the 2023 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe, moving away from its status as an exclusive support series at SRO events by linking up with the European Le Mans Series and announcing Autodromo Vallelunga in Italy as the host venue for the 2023 Lamborghini Grand Finals. The Vallelunga event will be the first Grand Finals to again feature the Super Trofeo Asia series, which comes back next year after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More developments at Lamborghini as they have named Iron Lynx as their factory-backed team to operate their GTP and LMDh projects in 2024 as well as their 2023 GT3 programs in GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup and the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.
Lamborghini’s head of motorsport Giorgio Sanna has described the manufacturer’s endurance-only foray into the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as a “first step” into the GTP class. “In this moment it is planned to do the endurance championship in America and the WEC,” he said. “2o24 will be the first year. We are of course looking to manage both programs with one structure. That, of course, is Iron Lynx but also includes technicians coming from the factory. So we expect that this will be the first step to do in a first season, and then we will evaluate a full-season program later.”
When Lamborghini hits the track in 2023 for the Rolex 24 they will be facing stiff competition as IMSA is expecting a capacity grid for the race. “While the new GTP class is expected to feature nine entries, spread between LMDh manufacturers Acura, BMW, Cadillac and Porsche, the production-based grids are expected to increase as well, with new cars such as the Ferrari 296 GT3, Type-992 Porsche 911 GT3 R and Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, all bringing in additional interest.”
On the Marshall Pruett podcast, Marshall continues his look at GTP 2023 as he talks Cadillac racing with GM’s Laura Klauser and Mark Stielow. You can listen here.
Autosport explains how Mercedes could tackle the 2023 DTM season amid a reported spending cut to its factory support: “But according to Motorsport-Total.com, it is unlikely that Mercedes will continue to provide financial backing and spare parts for six cars in 2023. Instead, it is expected that only two to four cars will receive factory support from the marque’s AMG division and all remaining entries will have to be financed entirely by the teams.”
So you are thinking of racing Radicals? Here are two videos that you should check out as the first looks at buying a Radical SR3 and SR10 and the second looks at owning a 2022 Radical SR3 XX. And don’t forget to check out the Motorsport Prospects Marketplace for great deals on Radical Race Cars.
Indian Motorsports Company, Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd (RPPL) has announced the debut of the Indian Racing League featuring Five City-based teams from November 19, 2022, at Hyderabad. Indian Racing League this year will feature six city-based franchise teams – Speed Demons Delhi, Hyderabad Blackbirds, Bangalore Speedsters, Chennai Turbo Riders and Goa Aces, competing for the top spot on the Madras International Circuit in Chennai and an FIA grade 2 circuit in streets of Hyderabad city.
Akhilesh Reddy, Director MEIL and Chairman, RPPL (Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd) says, “With the Indian Racing league, we plan to re-establish India as a force to reckon with in the motorsports and to provide young Indian racers with the chance to become global competitors by giving them a chance to succeed directly in their own communities. The Indian Racing League will draw the world racing community to India, which will in turn draw the interest of suppliers and industry stakeholders to the sector. Also, the Indian Racing League will further drive Indian communities to root for their respective cities and strengthen the fraternity of motorsports in India. Racing Promotions envisions the Indian Racing League as a climbing ladder for forming an all-Indian team in F1 and an all-Indian women’s squad in F2”.
Hankook Tires will be the sole and official tire supplier for the revived Sepang 12 Hours. Youngsoo Kim, Vice President of Motorsports & Motor Culture Department Hankook Tire: “We are extremely happy to be the official tire supplier in the 2023 Sepang 12 Hours. Now is the time for us to contribute to Asian motorsport which is waking up for the renaissance after suffering from the pandemic. We are confident that the teams and the drivers will enjoy our tires and the service provided by HK Motorsport. Moving forward, we will expand our contribution to Asian motorsport from this opportunity. I’d also like to express my appreciation to everyone who made this possible including Top Speed, SIC and HK Motorsport.”
The SCCA has announced that their SCCA Endurance Series will be transitioning to a regional-first path. “A Regional-first path for the SCCA Enduro program is one that makes sense, adds Steve Strickland, SCCA Area 12 Director and Endurance Racing Board member. “I think this is a healthy path forward because of the options and approach it provides,” he says. “One thing we’ve learned is it’s hard to swoop in and do a full event when you’re building from the bottom up. This new approach allows us to build partnerships with Regions, combine resources, and use the core product we have to provide opportunities for new drivers, older cars, and have extra track time. Then, if appropriate, we can build up to a tour and championship.”
Single-Seaters
The series known as Indy Lights has been rebranded as INDY NXT according to series owner IndyCar. “The pathway to North America’s premier open-wheel racing series has a fresh, more youthful and energetic final level: INDY NXT by Firestone. INDY NXT will feature a new generation of global racing talent, competing vigorously for podiums and the opportunity to join the elite ranks of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The presenting sponsor and Official Tire of INDY NXT will be Firestone, also the Official Tire Supplier and longtime partner of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. INDY NXT by Firestone will emphasize talent development, while extending racing’s reach and impact to a younger and emerging consumer audience.”
Questions still remain though about the prize package the series awards its winner according to The Race and F1 Feeder Series. “Some question marks remain, however. The widespread confusion around the scholarship package for 2022 Indy Lights champion Linus Lundqvist and how changes to that package were communicated (or rather, not communicated) is by now well-known. What is less clear is whether INDYCAR and Penske Entertainment will address the remaining dissatisfaction that exists.”
Formula 2 and Formula 3 look set to remain at their current car and team counts for the foreseeable future. Series boss Bruno Michel: “So there are always changes of teams, teams that want to stop. And in that case, we can find new shareholders for the teams. It’s happened many times in the past with GP2 and F2, and it will continue. But having 30 cars in Formula 3 and 22 cars in F2 for me is a very good figure.”
As I had mentioned last week, India’s Formula Regional and F4 series have been called off, but according to Formula Scout, the MRF Challenge is set to return. “After a break of two-and-three-quarter years, the top category of the MRF Challenge has also returned. The India and Middle East-based series ran from 2012 to ’20 before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, and attracted lots of international talent.”
The BRSCC National Formula Ford 1600 championship will race in Northern Ireland next year for the first time since 2019 but has dropped Wales from the 2023 calendar.
Touring Cars
Revisions to the hybrid rules and the return of the option tire are the two major changes to the sporting regulations for the 2023 British Touring Car Championship season. Touring Car Times has all the details.
TCR Scandinavia has confirmed a preliminary 2023 calendar along with a new organization following its split with the STCC. The new organization will be headed by Greger Petersson who has owned the TCR Scandinavia rights since its introduction in 2017.
Comtoyou Racing has officially confirmed plans to run four cars in the new TCR World Tour, which will be launched by the WSR Group in 2023. The Belgian squad will run four Audi RS 3 LMS cars in the nine events that will make up the World Tour, with events planned in Europe and Australia, and with events also planned for South America and Asia.
Miscellaneous Racing Series
Driven International has been competing in the 2022 season of the Gaz Shocks 116 Trophy, a competitive one-make series racing at some of the UK’s best tracks in a BMW 116i, prepared by Forty40 Racing. In this first episode of their new ‘Driven by Passion‘ series, they travel to Kent and the iconic Brands Hatch circuit.
In their Grassroots Motorsport Clubs series, the UK’s National Motorsport Academy has a a great look at the 2CV Racing Club. “To race with the 2CV Racing Club you’ll also need to take out a membership to the club. This goes towards the yearly running costs and is kept as low as possible to keep the sport inclusive. A full year’s membership was £70 for the 2022 season or £60 per event so if you wanted to just try out their 24 hour race you’d only save £15 so it pays to commit.”
The British Racing & Sports Car Club has announced a new partnership with the organizers of the MG Metro Cup, that will see the championship racing within the BRSCC portfolio for 2023 and beyond. “Started in 1992, the MG Metro Cup is one of the UK’s longest-running single make racing championships, and due in part to the low purchase and running costs of race cars combined with tremendously close racing, grids have remained healthy through this long history. The championship caters for various specification of Metro’s, ranging from naturally aspirated Rover 100 versions, right through to genuinely quick and entertaining MG Metro Turbo models. The championship has remained successful by maintaining its objective of providing an easy way into motor racing for drivers with a limited budget, and it is a perfect place for those who are perhaps considering returning to racing after a break, looking to reduce their motorsport costs, or for those looking for a first foray into club racing.”
The BRSCC has also announced some news and updates to their Fiesta Championship structures ahead of the 2023 race season. The updates for 2023 and beyond will see The BRSCC Fiesta Championship being renamed as the Fiesta ST240 Championship, this to provide a dedicated one-make race program for the rapidly growing turbo engined Fiesta ST240 category.
The ST-XR Challenge will also be renamed, and will become the Fiesta ST150 Challenge, this to provide a stand-alone dedicated grid for owners of the numerous Mk6 Fiesta ST150 models that currently race within both the Fiesta Championship and the ST-XR Challenge.
The Clio Ice Trophy will return in 2023. The second Clio Ice Trophy campaign will retain the main ingredients that made it a success. Still organised as a support series of the GSeries, a proven ice racing reference in Europe, the trophy will be contested over four rounds on as many different configurations of the Circuit Pas de la Casa. For more information about the Clio Ice Trophy, click here.
Driver-Related Information
The FIA has confirmed additional driver rating revisions and multiple reinstatements for 2023 following the release of the provisional list last month according to Sportscar365. “The updated list shows nearly a dozen drivers who were initially moved to Gold rating that have been reclassified as Silvers for next year, including several high-profile drivers from the FIA World Endurance Championship and Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS.”
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.