The new Mustang GT3 starts testing this month while Radical has introduced their new for 2023 SR10 XX3. It’s all part of this week’s Motorsport Series News Roundup on Motorsport Prospects.

In addition to these new race cars, I have details on European and Asian prototype racing, a look at some new national racing series in the UK and Canada and much more.

Sportscars

Radical Motorsport has introduced their new SR10 XXR, an upgrade to its popular SR10. “The SR10 XXR has the XXR line’s inspiration of design and engineering upgrades, mated to the SR10’s acclaimed, long-life 425 bhp turbocharged 2.3-litre unit by Radical Performance Engines. Most noticeable for the SR3 XXR is its new front louvres, created for better aerodynamics at high speed, reduced understeer and improved cooling efficiency. Creating enhanced stability through corners and at speed, the SR10 XXR is also fitted with the popular LMP-inspired ‘central fin’ feature from the SR3 XXR, alongside new lightweight alloy wheels and high-intensity front DRL light clusters; all as standard. For drivers looking for even more weight reduction, a brand-new carbon splitter and diffuser package is available as a cost option.”

Both SR10 XXR and SR10 models with the ‘XXR Evolution Pack’ will continue to be eligible in international Radical Cup championships within the ‘Platinum’ classes.

The updated SR10 XXR is available to order now through Radical Motorsport’s global dealer network, operational through over 30 dealers in more than 20 countries. Production will begin Spring 2023. More information can be found here: https://www.radicalmotorsport.com/news/radical-motorsport-introduces-the-sr10-xxr-improving-on-the-winning-sr10-formula-upgraded-for-the-future

The entry for the 2023 European Le Mans Series has once again proved to be a popular choice with teams and drivers with the maximum grid size of 42 cars being reached for another season. The entry also includes FIA World Champions, Formula One race winners and ELMS champions past and present.

The Asian Le Mans Series has revealed its full entry list with driver lineups for the 2023 season, which kicks off with a doubleheader at Dubai Autodrome this weekend. A total of 24 GT3 cars are entered, with several brand factory drivers set to compete.

Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS is poised for continuity this year according to SRO America President and CEO Greg Gill, who is taking a measured growth plan for its flagship GT series. Sportscar365 reports that the GT3 championship is set to continue with an unchanged format in 2023, with a pair of 90-minute extended sprint races on each weekend along with the continued mandate of at least one Silver-rated driver for each Pro class driver lineup, a change that was made early last year.

On-track testing of the Ford Mustang GT3 is set to begin this month according to Ford Performance global motorsports director Mark Rushbrook, who confirmed plans for a partial global rollout beginning in 2024. “We’ll test throughout the program before homologation,” he said. “We’ll have two cars. We will test in North America and in Europe.”

As the start of the 2023 motorsport season approaches, Praga has just two used R1s remaining in stock and available to the international market. The lightweight (643kg), aerodynamic Praga R1 has received increased interest since the launch of the Praga Bohema hypercar in November 2022, with six R1s currently being readied for delivery to the USA, resulting in limited availability for the UK race program. 2023 sees the Praga Cup UK one-make race series merge with the all-new Britcar Prototype Cup with more races and bigger grids, plus invitations from race organisers covering Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.

The 2023 Prototype Cup Germany calendar has been confirmed. The races of the Prototype Cup Germany, organised by ADAC and the Dutch agency Creventic, will remain independent; the DTM Endurance concept presented in December will not be pursued further. In addition to the six race events, an official pre-season test will be offered, which will take place on 22 March 2023 in Mugello.

22 Mar – Pre-Season-Test Mugello
28-30 Apr – Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg (ADAC Racing Weekend)
26-28 May – Motorsport Arena Oschersleben (DTM)
23-25 Jun – Circuit Zandvoort/NL (DTM)
7-9 Jul – Norisring (DTM)
1-3 Sep – TT Circuit Assen/NL (ADAC Racing Weekend)
13-15 Oct – Nürburgring (ADAC Racing Weekend)

This year’s Prototype Celebration race weekend will bring more track time in the dual classes during the three-day events with a consistent race format with a Saturday Enduro and a Sunday Sprint race. The Enduro contests will consist of three driver combinations (Pro Driver/Gentleman Driver, Two Gentleman Drivers and one Gentleman Driver only) with a mandatory five-minute pit stop.

The Prototype division will compete with three types of vehicles – LMP3, PC and Wolf — and the Prototype Lite group will also have three car configurations – Radical, Revolution and NP01. All of the Prototype Celebration cars will compete with an “Open Tire” rule. “We are very excited to expand our Prototype Celebration classes in 2023 to 14 races,” said Rob Morgan, CEO and founder of the Morgan Performance Group (MPG). “With the variety of machinery in the two Prototype celebration categories and the added track time, we feel the racers and the teams will have a great experience throughout each race weekend.”

Single-Seaters

Masters Historic Racing recently finalized their three-race 2023 USA calendar which will kick off June 23-25 at the Laps for Laguna weekend – A benefit for the Laguna Seca Raceway Foundation. More information about Masters and their 2023 plans can be found HERE.

Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda (FR Americas) has confirmed its championship prize for the 2023 champion, and is once again offering the winner an opportunity to advance their racing career. Working with Honda Performance Development (HPD) and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), the 2023 FR Americas Champion will receive a scholarship to compete in Super Formula, along with a host of other prizes.

The FR Americas champion will be granted a 2024 Super Formula Scholarship from HPD and HRC. With a value of up to $600,000, the scholarship covers a substantial portion of the cost to run a full season, and includes an engine supply to run with a Honda-powered team selected by HRC. Additionally, the championship-winning driver will receive FIA Super License points, a carbon Bell helmet, a custom OMP Racing Suit, a Haas F1 Team guest experience at a U.S. F1 event, and an invitation to the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony at the conclusion of the season.

Touring Cars

Mustang GT3 Starts Testing, New Radical SR10 XXR and More Motorsport Series News

Nissan Canada and Nissan Sentra Cup organizers have announced the official 2023 schedule for the Canadian Motorsport Series, which will feature six events with two races at each, across four venues in Québec and Ontario.

Miscellaneous Racing Series

Autosport writers look at the new national racing championships to watch out for in 2023. “Despite the current financial climate, there’s a multitude of new categories being launched in national racing this year. Here’s what to expect from the newcomers onto the scene.”

The FIA has announced that the Performance Factor, or Pf, the new classification methodology for Hill Climb cars, is to be expanded. Initially restricted to Category 1 production class cars, the Pf will soon be extended to prototypes and single-seaters. Pf will initially be applied to Category 2 cars on a trial basis in the 2023 European Hill Climb Championship before full integration into the regulations in 2024.

The Performance Factor is a method of using easily measurable technical characteristics to give cars a Pf value which is used to classify the cars into different groups. Competitors input data about their car that represents the factors affecting the car’s performance. These factors, racing weight, engine, aerodynamic, transmission and chassis parameters are then used to create the Pf value.

The new 2023 version of the Pf for Category 1 will be available online via www.fiaperformancefactor.com. The new version will require all drivers to obtain a technical sheet for their car, recognizable by the code Y4 which will be associated with the Pf ID number.

Team News

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.