Which Radical track car is best for you? This week’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup will help you decide. You will also find tips on racecraft in multi-class racing, the sensory challenges for neurodivergent drivers, mechanics and engineers when it comes to wearing a helmet and what the Japanese Magarigawa racetrack is like.
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
On-Track
Pro motorsport tip: Vision Technique
In an article on the Grassroots Motorsports website, Randy Pobst explains the upgrades and techniques you need to know to overcome understeer in front-wheel drive cars. “Front-wheel drive understeers, right? Everybody knows that. Don’t you?” Read what he has to say here.
Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets gives his personal observations (and advice) from behind the wheel about racecraft in multi-class racing. “If you race any of the “budget” endurance racing series (WRL, Lucky Dog, AER, Champcar, Lemons), or sim racing, or just about any other type of wheel-to-wheel competition, I bet there’s something in here for you. Heck, I saw some of what I write about happen during the Sebring 12-Hour race yesterday.” Read his observations here.
Terrence Dove discusses applying Colin Chapman’s ruthless “simplify and add lightness” to your driving. “So, if you get some kind of primal yearning from the combination of Chapmans elegant ‘simplify and add lightness’ with Duckworth’s brutally rational ‘If you start off light and it breaks, then you will in fact strengthen the pieces that break.’ like I do, then you’ll want to figure out what to do with it.” Read more here.
Off-Track
Can a helmet be a problem? Maja Czarzasty-Zybert looks at the sensory challenges for neurodivergent drivers, mechanics and engineers when it comes to wearing a helmet.
Former or current professional athlete/drivers and aspiring professional female drivers can attend as guests at the upcoming LawInSport Motorsport Law 2025 conference. Full details here.
Race Car & Series Developments
The video above from Grassroots Motorsports will help you determine which Radical track car is right for you. “The Radical is built for the track, with several variations that offer a lot of speed for the dollar. Ryan Lewis, driver coach for Radical Indianapolis, explained what they are, how they drive and which one is right for you.”
The GT4 Manufacturer Ranking begins its second season of global competition this weekend (22/23 March) with an expanded calendar and a refreshed points system being the major developments for 2025. In total, 100 races spread across 53 events will make up the 2025 GT4 Manufacturer Ranking season. As well as the opener, the SRO GT Cup will also provide the concluding event, with the final standings set to be decided at the Greater Bay Area GT Cup on 15/16 November. Get more details here.
The Ligier European Series explains how it is uniquely positioned for those that have an eye on a career in sportscar racing. “Organised by Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM), the series is uniquely positioned as the first step in the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s (ACO) endurance pyramid, leading ultimately to the FIA World Endurance Championship.” You can read more about the series and why they are positioning it as such here.
IMSA President John Doonan said that making Road America a six-hour Michelin Endurance Cup round will bring “excitement” to fans and series stakeholders alike, in a move that’s aimed to maintain season-long WeatherTech SportsCar Championship budgets.
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is bringing back the GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup (TGR Philippine Cup) for the 11th season, introducing some big changes. Previously known as the TGR Vios Cup, the TGR Philippine Cup is the mobility company’s premier racing series, which aims to bring the thrill of motorsports closer to Filipinos. Unbox.PH has more details.
Hankook has been appointed as the new sole tire supplier for the TCR South America and TCR Brasil for the 2025 season. “We are very glad to count on the technology of a specialized supplier like Hankook. Tires are a very important element in car racing, not only for performance, but also for safety and reliability,” said Lincoln Oliveira, CEO of Vicar the championships’ promoter.
Speaking of TCR South America, the calendar for the 2025 TCR South America season has been finalized with confirmation of the final two events on the schedule.
The TCR class will remain part of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge until at least the 2028 season as part of a new agreement between IMSA and WSC Group, owner of the TCR trademark and technical regulations. The class has been part of the Pilot Challenge since 2018, with four manufacturers (Audi, CUPRA, Honda and Hyundai) currently represented.
The Ligier JS F4 Series has been renamed to the Ligier Junior Formula Championship (Ligier JFC). Sanctioned by PMH, the championship utilizes the first-generation Ligier JS F416 chassis, Hankook racing tires and Honda engines serviced by Mountune USA.
“One of the most exciting aspects of the Ligier JFC is the opportunity it provides its champion — a full scholarship to compete in the FIA-certified Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) the following season. Including the use of an FIA-approved Ligier JS F422 chassis, a Ligier Storm engine, two sets of tires per event from Hankook Motorsports USA, and race entry fees from PMH, the scholarship provides drivers with nearly everything they need to successfully take the next step in their career. Similar scholarship opportunities exist for the F4 U.S. champion to aid in their climb to the FIA-certified Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas).”
The Toyo Tires Formula 1600 championship in Eastern Canada has released their 2025 schedule with seven race weekends taking place in Quebec and Ontario. Full details can be found here.
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Max Verstappen has signed a sim racer to race for his new GT3 team and last week’s Sim Racing Roundup has details about the program. I also have details on the F4 test for the winner of the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games F4 Esports category, how a mobile gamer went from mobile gaming to driving a real race car and what we know about the Olympic Esports Games so far.
Track Days
A range of options are available to race teams wishing to book exclusive testing at MSV’s superb Circuito de Navarra in northern Spain.
Circuito de Navarra, one of Spain’s leading motorsport facilities, reopened in September 2024 following a multi-million Euro upgrade program. These alterations, which included a 650m extension and major resurfacing, have completely transformed the circuit’s reputation – it as now recognized as one of Europe’s most spectacular and thrilling venues. The faster, more flowing layout has vastly improved the driving and riding experience, whilst enabling more overtaking in competitive racing.
The stunning facility boasts 32 first-class pit garages, 27,500 sq m of asphalt paddock space, a superb new restaurant and spacious administration, operations and hospitality spaces. Owner MotorSport Vision (MSV) has also made key improvements to general infrastructure, safety features and communications/networking, in addition to countless detail changes.
Sue Callaway of The Robb Report describes what driving on the Japanese Magarigawa racetrack is like, describing it as a such “the 250-acre circuit, about 66 miles from Tokyo, is a 2.2-mile gauntlet complemented by a scenic backdrop nearly as exhilarating.” Read her complete report here.
Cosmo-Sport Track Events offer a premium, limited-attendance open testing experience. Designed for race teams and drivers who want the feel of a private track rental for maximum, quality track time. No run groups, no high car counts. Features include:
- 8 Hours of Open Track
- Limited Attendance: 20 cars maximum
- Breakfast & Lunch for your crew
- Race Cars & Road Cars Welcomed!
Full details and dates can be found here.
Grassroots Motorsports looks at what it takes to secure a license to race at the Nürburgring.
Masters of Motoring has announced the participation of global motorsport initiative Formula Woman at it’s event in June 7 at the Castle Combe Circuit. The full Formula Woman program for the Masters weekend will be announced shortly, and more information about them and how to join can be found at www.formulawoman.co.uk.
Recently, Palmersport track event participants got to drive the revolutionary Hyundai IONIQ 5 N for a few untimed laps on the North circuit, in addition to the normal full driving time with the Ginetta G56, and guests were hugely impressed by what they experienced:
“This car has flipped EV driving on its head, as it’s introduced the connectivity of driving that you get with petrol cars – gear changing, responsiveness, reactions and general enjoyment – that modern EVs lack.”
“It felt just like driving an internal combustion engine car. Great seats and ride – very interesting!”
“Cool concept on gears. Really good range on battery!”
The revolutionary IONIQ 5 N joins their best-ever vehicle line-up, with eight entirely different activities on the legendary Full Day program, in addition to the taster laps in the Hyundai. More details can be found here.
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.
