Round 3 - Race Report

Round 3 got underway at the Dubai Autodrome. This time being streamed live on Motorsport.tv.

Last round had seen dominance from Swiss driver Jacopo Mazza. With Ian Loggie absent (racing in the Gulf 12 Hour at Yas), it was left to Alex Bukhantsov to disrupt Mazza’s weekend, and that he did!

In testing it was the usual drivers at the top of the time sheets, including Amir Feyzulin, Mohammed Alkazemi and Timo Recker. Unfortunately due to illness Alkazemi was not able to take part in the races.

So after the first qualifying on Saturday morning it was Bukhantsov on pole, ahead of Feyzulin and Mazza.

WATCH RACE 1 - CLICK HERE

Bukhantsov took the lead from Feyzulin, then Recker and Sweetnam. Mazza had made a bad start and was back down in 5th.

Onto lap 2, and in a strange turn of events, 3 cars ran wide and even spun at turn 7. First was Bukhantsov, then Sweetnam and Monie spinning off into the run off. Interestingly after the race it was thought that strong winds had contributed to this!

Meanwhile, Recker had caught the back of 2nd place Feyzulin, but Mazza had moved up to 4th, and was hot on the heals of Recker, making for a three way battle.

Putting in fast laps, one after another, Mazza had impressively moved past Recker and Feyzulin and up to second, now to hunt down Bukhantsov!

In the last minutes of the race Mazza had got the gap down to just 0.589, but he was unable to get close enough to make a pass, so it was Bukhantsov taking the win. Mazza second and Feyzulin third. Recker just 0.4 behind in fourth.

Race 2 Podium and Interviews

WATCH RACE 2 - CLICK HERE

Race two started a few hours later, and again it was Bukhantsov taking the lead, but behind was an immense three way battle for second, between Feyzulin, Sweetnam and Recker. As the three of them came into the last corner Recker put an incredible move in, out braking both cars and up to second. This forced Feyzulin wide, Sweetnam slipped through dumping Feyzulin back to fourth!

Mazza had made another uncharacteristically bad start and was again on the charge back to the sharp end of the field. But with the scrapping Feyzulin and Sweetnam, it allowed him to get close and slip up to third on lap 3. Then passing Sweetnam into the last corner a lap later.

In second and with some clear air, Recker was the fastest car on the track and catching Bukhantsov, with still 17 mins left to run. Pushing hard and with only 5 mins to go he had got the gap down to 0.438, but with back markers approaching Bukhantsov was able to widen the gap, slipping through at a critical moment leaving Recker trailing. Also, Mazza had slipped past the back markers well and was now on the tail of Recker in the dying moments of the race.

As the pair flew though the notorious turn 6 to 7 complex, Recker ran a little wide, allowing Mazza to make his move. And that was it, a great race and another win for Bukhantsov. It seems if Mazza could finally make a good start he would be unbeatable!

The Enduro race took place the following day, and again it was Bukantsov taking the victory from Mazza and Feyzulin in third. Recker had been in the mix but was plagued by fuel pump issues that took him out off the race.

So a clean sweep for Bukhantsov this weekend, but some new faces to the championship and podium. Yas in a few weeks for sure will be a very interesting one.

Round 2 - Race Report

The Gulf Radical Cup was back at the Dubai Autodrome for Round 2

Again after two days of testing, all would be revealed in the Sprint Race qualifying session on Saturday morning as to who was the fastest. Here each driver would have to post two quick times, the fastest lap to form the grid for Sprint Race 1 and the second fastest lap for Sprint Race 2.

Swiss driver Jacopo Mazza posted the fastest times to give him pole for both races. As Sprint Race 1 got underway it was Mazza taking the lead from the start, with Alex Bukhantsov in second and Mohammed Alkazemi in third, and that is how it finished. However, after a stewards investigation Alkazemi had to hand over his third place trophy to Khazzoum after it was deemed that Alkazemi did not give him enough room when overtaking him during the race.

Race 2 got underway with another clean start through turn 1. Mazza was in the lead from Loggie, Bukhantsov and Feyzulin. Into turn 2 Alkazemi slipped inside Feyzulin for 3rd. As the cars ran down the back straight Khazzoum got a good run on Feyzulin, but driving on the dirty line Khazzoum lost control of his car, spinning at high speed across the inside of the track and making hard contact with Bukhantsov. Both drivers were ok, but the cars were badly damaged.

This instantly brought out the safety car, and for a few laps the pack circulated slowly while the stricken cars were taken away. At the restart it was Mazza in the lead, from Loggie and Feyzulin. While avoiding the accident before Alkazemi had dropped to the back of the pack.

In the end it was Mazza taking another well deserved race win, from Loggie in 2nd and Feyzulin in 3rd.

Onto the Enduro Race, and again it was Loggie on the Pole, but it was one of the closest qualifying session we had seen. With only 10th’s of a second covering the top two rows.

The race got underway, it was another clean start with all cars running through turn one, up to the fast left/right onto the back straight. Mazza lead from Bukhanstov with Alkazemi in 3rd, and the pole sitter dropping back.

The order remained pretty much the same until Julien Monies car came to a stop after his pit stop. This forced out the safety car as most other cars were already back out of the pits. However race leader (also with a 15 second penalty from the last race)  was in the pits making a last minute stop. This meant his penalty was negated by the now race leader (on track) Alkazemi being held up at safety car speeds. Sure enough Mazza was able to get out of the pitlane ahead of the rest of the pack. However, Mazza was driving faultlessly and he went on to cruise another victory. Second was Bukhantsov. Across the line in 3rd was Feyzulin, but he would later loose his 3rd place to Timo Recker after picking up a penalty for earlier contact with Ian Loggie.

A few weeks rest now before we return to the Dubai Autodrome in December for Round 3.

Round 1 - Race Report

The 2022/23 Gulf Radical Cup got underway this weekend at the Dubai Autodrome. Still a few weeks away from the lovely temperate climate of the UAE winter, it was 40 degrees in the sun, so for sure would be a test of driver and machine.

Ian Loggie - UK

As always, one of the major attractions of the Gulf Radical Cup is the massive amount of testing time available, if needed. So many drivers spent Thursday and Friday circulating the very challenging National circuit with Ian Loggie coming out on top after the official Practice session, Friday afternoon.

Again showing a varied GRC grid, there was reigning British GT Champion Ian Loggie lining up on the same grid as drivers taking part in their first ever motor race. With 50% of the drivers living in Dubai and the rest of grid having flown in from the UK, Kuwait, Singapore and Denmark to.

So, into Sprint race qualifying, all eyes were on Loggie and Bukhantsov, who has just completed a very successful rookie season in the ultra competitive European LeMans series, in his LMP3 car. But with some very experienced racers like Amir Feyzulin, Johnny Khazzoum, Usmaan Mughal and Mohammed Alkazemi, it was for sure not going to be easy for anyone. Also returning for his second season was young Swiss driver Jacapo Mazza, who has shown great pace in testing.

Amir Feyzulin

After the 20 minute session had ended it was Ian Loggie on the pole with a 1:24.050, Bukhantsov in 2nd with a 1:24.274, and Jacopo Mazza in 3rd with a 1:23.883. The field was very close however, with only 1.5 seconds covering first 9 drivers.

With a short gap, it was straight into Sprint Race 1. A clean start meant all cars were safely through turn 1, Loggie emerged in the lead, with a blistering opening lap, putting him 2 seconds clear at the end of lap 1. Bukhantsov was second with Mazza on his tail.

Julien Monie

But going into the Club Link there was contact as Francis spun around, and Monie unable to avoid him. Unfortunately for Monie he sustained damage to the front of his car, limping back to the pits, where the team called time, given the damage. However Francis was able to continue.

In the end it was Loggie across the line first, with Bukhanstov taking second ahead of Mazza. Fastest lap went to Loggie also giving him the triple (Pole, Win and Fastest Lap), not a bad start to the season.

In the hottest part of the day, the cars lined up for Sprint Race 2. Again it was Loggie nosing ahead into Turn 1, but with Mazza close behind him and on the dusty part of the track, he nudged into Loggie spinning him around. Loggie was able to continue but Mazza sustained suspension damage taking him out of the race. As other cars took avoiding action of the spinning Loggie it allowed Bukhanstov to take the lead closely followed by Johnny Khazzoum.

Alex Bukhantsov

But Loggie was back up and running again, with no damage, and fighting to get back to the pack. And so he did on lap 8, making a move on Bukhanstov into the club link, both cars ran off the track avoiding each other, but it was Loggie who got his nose ahead before the turn so decided to hang on to the position. This would later be hotly contested in the stewards room.

Unfortunately their tangling was not enough for Khazzoum to take advantage, but a solid drive none the less to take third, behind Bukhanstov in 2nd and another win for Loggie. The stewards reviewed the footage, but no further action was taken and Loggie retained the win.

So a new day and another qualifying on Sunday morning, this time for the 45 minute enduro race.

Bukhantsov has set the early pace with a blistering 1:23.965, with most watching on thinking that was enough to claim his first pole of the season. However, the white and pink SR3 XX of Ian Loggie rolled back out of the pits to have another shot a pole. That is exactly what he did, reacting to the pacy lap of Bukhanstov with a 1:23.668, amazing. Then just to prove a point, he did another one, well 1/1000 of a second slower at 1:23.669! In the short 15 minute session its always tough to get a clear lap, and with track limit infringements and some drivers being viewed to have inadvertently impeded some, penalties were handed out. Notability Mazza who put in a time for P3, but was demoted to P6 for impeding AlKazami who was on a last minute charge. AlKaazami also had his best lap removed for a track limit infringement, dropping him down the order. With the times so tight again, any penalty means a lot.

Mohammed Alkazemi

At the start of the Enduro race it was a flying start Amir Feyzulin to out brake the front row drivers and run round turn 1 to take the lead. Behind him James Edmeades had run into Loggie, then tripping up with Bukhanstov, causing damage to Loggie’s suspension, taking him out of the race.

Alkazemi had mad a flyer from 10th on the grid up to 4th, with Mughal ahead on him and Edmaedes in 2nd chasing Feyzulin. But it soon became apparent that Edmaedes also had an issue from the collision, slowing down and eventually pull out of the race. Meanwhile Mazza was on a charge from 5th and working his way to the front, impressively taking the lead before the pit stops.

With a decent stop from Mazza, he was back out in the lead, ahead of Feyzulin and Mughal.

Usmaan Mughal

However, despite Mughal chasing down Feyzulin it became apparent that he had a 10 second penalty to be applied for speeding in the pitlane, promoting Mughal to second on the time sheets. Bukhantsov was doing his best to stay on terms with Mughal, and managing to get inside 10 seconds of Feyzulin to pull him up to third, given the time penalty.

So in the end a solid drive from Mazza to claim his first win of the year, including fastest lap, second to Mughal and third to Bukhantsov.

Jacopo Mazza

Just a short, two week gap now until round 2, back at the Dubai Autodrome on the International Circuit.

1st Loggie, 2nd Bukhantsov, 3rd Mazza

1st Mazza, 2nd Mughal, 3rd Bukhantsov

Mazza and Monie re-sign with R2Race

The twenty year old Swiss driver Jacopo Mazza, who made a great impression on the Gulf Radical Cup grid in his debut season last year, has re-signed with R2Race for the 2022/23 Gulf Radical Cup Season.

“I’m really happy to be back with the team and the car. With last year’s performance we are looking to fight for the championship victory” - Said Mazza

Jacopo landed 6 podiums last season, and is looking to get on the top step this season for sure. Having spent his first year in the GRC as a great learning year, now is the time to put into practice all he learned. He also spent the summer doing a few GT tests in Italy, so is well prepared to get back in his red R2RACE SR3 in a few weeks.

The second driver to confirm a place with R2Race was Frenchman Julien Monie. Julien also made his racing debut last season, and made good progress over the year. Always with a big smile on his face, Julien enjoys his time off track as much as on, soaking up the atmosphere of the Gulf Radical Cup scene.

“This is the second season for me, can’t wait to see the level on the grid and take my place in it!” - said Monie

The season kicks off with the pre season test on the 11th of October, with the first race on the 21st of October.

Pre Season Test Announced

Radical Exclusive Test - Dubai Autodrome National Circuit - 0800 to 1130

The 2022/23 Gulf Radical Cup will officially kick off on the 11th of October with the Pre Season test at the Dubai Autodrome.

With exclusive, open pitlane testing from 0800 to 1130, this presents a perfect opportunity to see how the teams and drivers are shaping up for the season ahead.

Entry cost per car is AED 3,450 (+vat).

Latest season entries as Early Entry Offer closes!

As early entries closed at the end of the July, the last driver to take that slot was the 2021/22 Gulf Radical Cup Vice Champion, Ian Loggie.

Given Ian’s continued success in the British GT series and other GT championship, Ian goes into the 2022/23 Gulf Radical Cup as one of the hot favourites for the title this season.

Racing with TT Racing, he will be fielding his SR3XX from last season, looking to improve in his 6 race wins from last season.

Ian Commented:

“The Gulf Radical Cup offers some of the best winter training for me, the SR3XX is a physical car so keeps me sharp in preparation for the summer season. I look forward to a good season ahead”

Also completing their entry for the 2021/22 are two drivers from Denmark, the first who has competed in a number of races in previous GRC seasons. The second is Katrin Kristensen making her Radical debut in the UK challenge last season. With another GRC regular from Russia also taking up the early entry offer it takes the total to 7 drivers.

WIth new cars in build at the moment and rental cars available with teams in the UAE, get in touch if you want to look at securing your seat for the coming season.

Julien Monie signs for a second season of Gulf Radical Cup

After his first season in the Gulf Radical Cup, Julien will continue with his racing journey in his Radical SR3 RSX, working with R2Race, a locally based race team.

Julien started his love with track driving in a Caterham Seven, but after constantly being overtaken by Radicals on trackdays he dipped his toe in the water with a test in an SR3 with UAE Radical dealer GulfSport Racing, and has never looked back since.

Julien is one for the first drivers to take advantage of this seasons Early Entry Offer

He commented when asked about the season ahead:

“I had a great first season in the Gulf Radical Cup, the pace was real quick this year, but as a rookie I still had some great battles on track, and a lot of fun off track also! It's a great series, very welcoming and I can’t wait for the season to start.”

Julien picked up the “Gentleman of the Season” award, at the end of last year. Always coming with a smile of his face, but improving all the time on track, he exemplifies what Radical Racing is about.

The Early Entry Offer is still valid until the end of July.

Feyzulin back on track for the 2022/23 Season

Next driver to be announced to compete in the 2022/23 Gulf Radical Cup is Amir Feyzulin.

Amir is probably one of the most experienced drivers taking part in the GRC, showing great improvement last year he is pushing as hard as he can for the coming season. With a new 2023 SR3 XX on order, he will certainly have the tools to take the challenge to the rest of the field!

Amir commented:

“I am really excited for the new season, and looking forward to getting behind the wheel of my new SR3 XX in a couple of months.”

Amir is the second driver to be announced for the GRC, over the next couple of days details of further signups will be realised.

First six Gulf Radical Cup Entries completed in 24 hours!

The announcement of the 2022/23 Gulf Radical Cup was very well received by the global Radical community.

Of the 6 new entries taken over the weekend, there are 4 returning drivers and 2 new. Details of all these drivers will be released over the course of this week.

But, taking the first spot was Gulf Radical Cup regular Johnny Khazzoum. Looking to a great season ahead, Johnny took his pace to a new level last season and is hoping for that elusive race win.

He commented:

“Based on last season's results, I am very excited and pumped to be joining and racing with the rest of the racers in this upcoming season. I am confident that this season will be unlike any other, with stronger and fiercer competition, as it will be an exciting challenge given last season's competitive grid, where competition and drive were at their peak.

I, like the other racers, am excited to get back on the track and wish everyone the best of luck!”

Johnny will also enjoy a set of free Hankook tyres at the first event (5 sets supplied by GulfSport Racing to the first entries) when he takes to the track in October at the Dubai Autodrome.

2022/23 Season Goes Live

Entries open for the 2022/23 Gulf Radical Cup

First taking to the track in the UAE in 2005, the GRC has run every season since. Last year was arguably the best season so far, with great grids, lap records broken and the dominant emergence of the SR3XX – with an SR3XX winning every single race of the season. This next season has a lot to live up to. However, it’s looking like it will again be a great season with some new drivers and cars on the horizon, along with returning drivers from the 2022/23 season.

The season will kick off in October with a pre season test at the Dubai Autodrome on the 12th of October with the first round on the 22nd of October.

A new race format was introduced last season and proved to be very popular, so this will stay for the 2022/23 season.

The newly re-branded Radical Motorsport continues to throw their support behind the Gulf Radical Cup, and this year that will offer a fully paid race in a works SR3 XX at Silverstone in the 2023 UK Radical Challenge series.

Radical CEO Joe Anwyll commented:

“The Gulf Radical Cup is one of our flagship series globally, and truly showcases what Radical motorsport is all about. Driving standards are so high in the GRC that it attracts drivers from the global Radical driver network, but at the same time is proving to be a great breeding ground for drivers looking to get into motorsport. We continue to support the series as much as we can, and look forward to another great year of racing.”

An early entry offer will again be offered to drivers completing their entry before the end of July, along with a set of free Hankook tyres to the first 5 to do so.

Given the change to working week a typical race weekend will look as follows. The Dragon Racing Thursday test offers great quality test time, and this season Dragon will also offer an early entry offer for drivers committing to a series of test days.

Thursday

3 Hour Open Pitlane test session

Friday

AM - 3 hour Open pitlane 

PM - 1 x 30 Min Official GRC Practise

Saturday

Sprint Qualifying - 20 Min (Driver 1 and 2)

Sprint Race 1 - 25 Min (Driver 1)

Sprint Race 2 - 25 Min (Driver 2)

Sunday

Enduro Qualifying - 15 Min (Driver 1)

Enduro Race - 45 Min (Driver 1 and 2)

Keep an eye on our news feed as we announce more details of the 2022/23 season and or course driver announcements.

• Entries are now open and can be completed online - Click Here

• For more information on the Gulf Radical Cup - Click Here

• If you are looking to get involved with the Gulf Radical Cup, please contact us here - Click Here