2023/24 Gulf Radical Cup Entries Open

Competitors are now able to submit their entries for the 2023/24 Gulf Radical Cup

As in previous years, organiser GulfSport Racing (Radical UAE) are offering an Early Entry Offer, this ultimately saves just over 20% on race fees compared to entering on a race by race basis. In addition to this the first 5 confirmed entries will also be rewarded with a free set of tyres to be used at the first event.

GRC Series Co-ordinator Fred Jacobs - “We had another great season last year, and this one is approaching fast. Racing was very competitive and we are pleased to see some drivers move onwards and upwards in the motorsport ladder. But, I’m really looking forward to welcoming back our regular drivers and some new faces to the grid.”

Dan Redpath - Radical Motorsport UK Chief Commercial Officer said:

“It is great to see the Gulf Radical Cup flourishing in its 18th year and testament to GulfSport Racing’s dedication and hard work.  GulfSport Racing were awarded our Dealer of the Year title in 2022 and are a privilege to have as part of the official Radical Motorsport dealer network.  It’s also great to see a number of GulfSport customers ordering the new SR3 XXR and I will be personally attending the first round at Yas Marina and look forward to watching some close and exciting racing.”

One by one, until the season commences new driver announcements will be made, so keep a close eye on the official Gulf Radical Cup Instagram page @gulfradicalcup.

We hope to see four of the new Radical SR3 XXR’s out at the start of the season, for more information of the latest evolution of the SR3 get in touch.

Entries can be completed by clicking the below link and filing out the form.

2023/24 Race Dates Announced

Year after year, the Gulf Radical Cup keeps attracting the worlds best Gentlemen (and women) drivers, from not only the UAE, but the rest of the world. Last year there were 12 different nationalities represented on the grid, very typical of the UAE. This season will be no different, with roughly 60% of the grid based in the UAE and the rest flying in for the events.

The UAE has become a big focus for International motorsport, with the GRC being used as a spring board for drivers to step up to the likes of the Asian LeMans Series. Last year when ALMS came to the UAE shores no less than 6 drivers were either competing in GRC at the time, or had done so in previous years. This shows the high standard of the GRC, but, by complete contrast, in the 2022/23 season 4 drivers took their first step into the world of motorsport by completing their first ever circuit race in the Gulf Radical Cup!

Released over the winter was the impressive SR3 XXR, with one already here, and three in build at the Radical factory in Peterborough, we look forward to seeing them on the grid for the first race this year.

So, about that, the first race. This season the Gulf Radical Cup will kick off at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, one of the highlights for GRC drivers racing under the lights, rushing past the Yas Hotel (and waving at their mates in the bar).

The season will close at the Dubai Autodrome in March.

This season will see two designated Pre Season tests, one at Yas Marina Circuit on the 10th of October, then the following week at the Dubai Autodrome on the 19th October.

Entries for the season will open before the 22nd end of June, with an early offer closing by the end of July.

Round 7 - Race Report

Round 7, the Final Round of the Gulf Radical Cup took place at the Dubai Autodrome. Alex Bukhantsov was now ahead in the points table, but, with double points for all three races at this last race, anything could happen.

Timo Recker was also racing in the Gulf ProCar series, so his focus could be shared, but with the likes of Ian Loggie out on track there was plenty of competition for the two series leaders to think about.

So the final Sprint Race Qualifying session of the season got underway, and in usual style it was Alex Bukh who posted a pole time, ahead of Mazza and Loggie.

At the race start Bukh took the lead from Mazza, but it was rookie Alim Geshev who slotted into third, followed by Loggie and Amir Feyzulin. But after his initial bad start, Loggie got up to speed, posting fastest lap of the race. He was able to get the better of Geshev, but the two leaders were too far away and he had to settle for third. Bukh taking the win from Mazza.

This was a perfect start so far for Bukh, however for Sprint Race two Mazza got a flying start and took the lead. The pair were nose tail pretty much for the whole 12 laps race, with Mazza crossing the line first, from Bukh. However, during the race a note from the stewards had stated that Mazza was under investigation for “excessive weaving” while trying to stay ahead. As the race came to a close this investigation turned into a 10 second penalty, putting Mazza back to second.

So after day one the title was looking good for Alex Bukh, but it was still all to play for with the final Endurance race of the season to come.

Out for qualifying, and again Bukh posted a pole time, with Mazza second. However the very experienced Amir Feyzulin had posted a time only 0.199s behind, for third.

Bukh took the lead and showed the rest of the field the way around up to the pitstops. Mazza and Feyzulin staying in close contention. Non of the top three had any pit penalty from the last race at Yas, so it was going to be down to the drivers and their teams to get them back out as quick as possible, but within the constraints of the pit stop regulations. Remarkably Amir Feyzulin was showing P1, and was fast! Mazza had been given another penalty for speeding in the pitlane, but Bukh was in second and chasing down Feyzulin for the win.

As the race got towards the 45 minute mark it became clear that Bukh did not have the pace to get on to Feyzulin and make a pass, meaning that he took his first victory in the Gulf Radical Cup (a very popular win amongst the paddock!). Alex Bukhantsov crossed the line just behind in second to take the Gulf Radical Cup title, with Mazza in third to take the Vice Champion spot in the series. There was a notable 4th place for season newcomer Igor Sorokin who had stayed out of trouble and driven a very consistent race.

Feyzulin’s win, also elevated him to 3rd overall in the series standings.

Later that night Alex Bukhantsov was crowned as the Gulf Radical Cup Champion at the end of season awards. He was also handed the prize of a funded drive in the UK Radical Cup driving the latest SR3 XXR.

Round 6 - Race Report

Round 6 of the Gulf Radical Cup took place back at the Yas Marina Circuit.

With Alex Bukhantsov and Jacopo Mazza still pretty much neck and neck for the series lead, every step taken from this moment would be crucial to getting that title.

On the short North circuit loop, it would certainly make for some intensive racing, with lap times around the minute mark it would be a great work out for the GRC drivers!

It was Alex Bukhantsov taking pole, ahead of Timo Recker and Jacopo Mazza.

Sprint Race 1 would see Bukh convert that pole to a win ahead of Mazza in second, with Recker in third.

Sprint Race 2 again had Bukh on Pole with recker next to him. As the field got away Bukh was able to take the lead with Al Khazami making a great start making it up to second out of turn one. Recker was in third, with Mazza trying to go the long way around the outside of turn three, as a result the pair made contact spinning both cars out, and taking them out of the race. Safety car was deployed while the stricken SR3 XX of Recker was recovered, Mazza was able to limp back to the pits.

After 4 laps of safety car the field was racing again, Bukh resumed the lead with Al Khazami in second and Alim Geshev in third. Bukh was able to pull a comfortable 10 second gap by the end of the race over the Kuwaiti driver in second, with Geshev only 2 seconds behind. This was the first podium for Russian driver Geshev. Following the race, Recker was given a grid penalty for the the Enduro race, after having being deemed responsible for the collision between him and Mazza at turn 1.

The following day was Enduro race day, and started with the 15 minute qualifying session. It was a carbon copy of the previous day with Bukh on pole, with Recker in second and Mazza in third. However Recker would have to give that place back before the race even started with his penalty.

As the race started it was Recker who got a great start and took the lead from Bukh, with Mazza struggling, eventually pulling out on lap 3. As the pit stops came around the cars dived in and Bukh, who had no success penalty from the last race was able to jump into the lead, with Recker coming out behind him. Recker who appeared to have the pace this race was then left to hunt Bukh down and maybe take his first race win. As the two came onto turn 5, small contact was made and they both raced off side by side down the long back straight of Yas Marina Circuit. Recker was on the inside and late on the brakes, taking the lead.

Alex worked to stay in contention, but after a few laps it appeared he had a mechanical issue slowing him down, allowing Geshev to get past him and into second. As the chequered flag came out it was Recker across the line first with a 25 second lead over Geshev, and Buhk just hanging onto third! However it was not all done….

Geshev was given a 10 second penalty for undercutting his mandatory pit stop time, resulting in him being pushed to 4th and off the podium - gutted. Johnny Khazzoum was promoted to third. Recker was also back in the stewards room and was awarded a 20 second penalty for the contact with Bukh while racing for the lead. However he had built up a large enough lead for him to be able to hang onto his maiden victory.

With only a couple of days to gather the thoughts of Yas, as it was off the following weekend to Dubai for the final round of the Gulf Radical Cup.

Round 5 - Race Report

After the mid season break it was back to the track with Round 5 of the Gulf Radical Cup.

Ian Loggie and Johnny Khazzoum were in action again after missing the last couple of rounds, and both looking to get back to podium form. Newcomer to the world of Radical racing was ex US Marine Keith Gatehouse, making his debut this weekend. In for the weekend was British racer, and Atlantic rower, Stephen Shanly. Shanly, who has not taken to the gird in 17 years caught back the racing bug a few months ago when testing a Radical SR3 in the UK with the Radical Motorsport Works Team. Having previously raced and won the UK National Supersports series it was expected that he would take to the Radical like a duck to water! Finally, the last new face of the weekend was Alim Geshev, who has been patiently doing months of test days in his SR3, but had shown great pace and was looking forward to his first race!

With the title fight now really between Jacopo Mazza and Alex Bukhantsov, there was for sure going to be some close racing to get a hold of those valuable points. Sitting in third in the standing was Timo Recker, but with Ian Loggie, Johnny Khazzoum and Amir Feyzulin all within a few points it was also going to be a close run race between those four.

Loggie topped the time sheets in official free practice, but with Bukh not taking to the track and Mazza to be seemingly cruising, it was still not clear who would have the minerals when it came to Sprint Race Qualifying the following morning.

So as the twenty minute session started it appeared that Bukh was blisteringly fast with a 1.40.126 on lap 4. However 11 times were taken away from drivers for track limit infringements during the session, meaning that drivers had to push again for a quick lap, or in some case settle for a slower time posted. But in the end it was Bukh on pole with Loggie in second, and a great 3rd for Khazzoum, with Nicolas Francis in 4th.

In Sprint Race 1, it was Loggie and Bukh that got away well to lead into turn one. But Recker make light contact with the rear of Mazza, spinning him around. Unfortunately Feyzulin was unable to miss the spinning Mazza, and they collided hard in turn 1, taking them both out of the race. Not a good start to weekend for them both. Safety car deployed!

Recker was later given a 20 second penally for causing that collision.

After a couple of laps the race got started again, and as the race progressed Bukh was able to pull a decent gap to Loggie, while Khazzoum was safe in 3rd place also posting constant times.

Shanly kept out of trouble and took a easy 4th place, with Julien Monie in 5th, and Alim Geshev taking a great 6th in his debut race.

A couple of hours later, and Sprint Race 2 was underway. It was the same front row as before, with Bukh on Pole, and Loggie in second. However Bukh was caught napping at the start and made a poor get away dropping him back. This left Loggie and Khazzoum to take charge at the front. As the cars rushed into turn 10 at 225kph, Bukh tried to take back some places, but made contact with the back of Shanly as they both turned in, spinning him around. This left Shanly stranded in the middle of the track seemingly unable to restart the car. So for the second time the safety car was brought out. However just as that happened he got the car started and raced off, but, in a bizarre moment as Shanly pulled away Feyzulin pulled off track with a technical issue. So the safety car stayed out while Feyzulin was recovered.

The race got back underway with Loggie leading from Mazza. Mazza was shadowing Loggie’s every move and on lap 12, 1 lap from the end was able to get past and claim the victory. Loggie took 2nd with Khazzoum again in 3rd.

The following day was Enduro day, and in Enduro qualifying Bukh again showed his form taking pole, from Mazza in 2nd and Recker in 3rd.

The race got underway and Bukh took the lead from Mazza. Both carrying “success penalties” from the previous Enduro aT Yas, it was Recker who had to stay in touch to try and make the leap during the pits stops. The front 5 cars were within a few seconds of each other for the first half of the race, and has the pitstop window opened Bukh held his nerve and stayed out. Recker and Mazza came in together. With the extended pitstop time for Mazza, Recker slipped out ahead to take 2nd, but Mazza was on a charge and slipped back past on the out lap. The next lap Bukh came in, but with his 15 second penalty he lost the lead. Pretty soon after that a gearbox issue slipped in and he dropped down the order, but kept it going to the end of the race to pick up vital points.

So that left Mazza to take the victory from Recker in 2nd, and Khazzoum again in 3rd (meaning he stepped on the podium for all three races).

Mazza has retained his lead in the championship from Bukh, with Recker still hanging on in 3rd!

A short break, then off to Yas Marina Circuit on the 10th to 12th of March. See you there…

Round 4 - Race Report

As the new year rolled into place, there was no rest for the teams and drivers of the Gulf Radical Cup.

Again some new faces (and familiar faces) on the grid for this round at Yas Marina Circuit, John Corbett, Jayan Karim and Fran Cush. 

After two days of optional testing it was Mohammed Alkazemi that was setting constant fast laps, and that was cemented when he took his first Pole Position of the season in Sprint Qualifying for Sprint Race 1. He would have also earned Pole for the second Sprint race if it was not for having his second quick time removed for a track limit penalty. That meant that season newcomer Timo Recker would also take his first career pole - two happy drivers indeed!

Alkazemi got a great start and got to T1 first and took the lead running side by side with Recker on the run to T2. Alex Bukhanstov, who had virtually no testing time due to an accident, and then subsequent engine change was chasing hard behind Amir Feyzulin in 4th. As the cars came into turn 6 Bukhantsov made light contact with the rear of Feyzulin spinning him around. Alex would later get a 20 second penalty for causing a collision, this would prove crucial in the end results.

Meanwhile Alkazemi had started to gain a small lead of about three seconds over Mazza in second, but Alex Bukh was catching fast, however with the 20 second penalty it was looking unlikely that he would be able to catch the leader and extend that kind of lead. Alkazemi was pushing hard to try and keep that lead from a now charging Bukhantsov. Alkazemi was unaware of the penalty that Bukh had picked up and while pushing hard got himself two consecutive track limit penalties, totalling 20 seconds. So with Bukh and Alkazemi on penalties the win was gifted to Mazza, who kept it clean for the whole race!

Race two was looking shaky given the rain that ensued, so the organisers made a quick decision not to waste everyone’s time that day, and re-scheduled Sprint Race 2 for the following morning, before the Enduro Qualifying session. The weather was looking bright and clear for the next day.

As the drivers woke up for Race Day 2, it was still cloudy, however this didn’t stop play and it was straight out into Sprint Race 2. This time it was Recker on pole, Feyzulin was meant to be lining up alongside, but the space was left empty due to his last moment withdrawal.

At the start Recker did not make a clean start and was not able to maximise his pole advantage, but Alex Bukh did from P6, and was soon into the lead coming into turn two. Mazza was in to second and hanging onto the back of Bukh, but just didn’t have the pace to get close enough to make a pass. Recker was in third, but was later handed a 10 second penalty that would drop him to 5th, promoting John Corbett to the last step of the podium.

Shortly after that was Enduro qualifying, and Alex Bukhantsov really showed his pace, putting in a pole time of 1.58.998, but only 0.081 ahead of Mazza. Sorokin had pulled off at T1, with an engine issue, but amazingly his GulfSport Racing team changed the powerplant in just 92 minutes, so he was back out for the Enduro race.

At the start Bukh and Mazza were 1st and 2nd. Alkazemi was up to third but with Recker behind him. However the two leaders both had carried over pit stop penalties from the last race, so there was a real chance Alkazemi and Recker could undercut them in the pits. But disaster struck for Alkazemi, stalling away from his 45 second pitstop, and giving crucial time back to Bukh and Mazza. This also allowed Zig Fuhremiester and John Corbett to jump ahead. 

In the end Mazza, held onto the lead, with Bukh second and Recker third.

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.