Whilst this time around neither race will
feature pit stops, a 25-minute window between races will allow teams to safely re-fuel
and, if a second driver is nominated, perform a driver swap.
Several Radical Australia Cup regulars have
drafted in gun support for the race, with ‘pro’ drivers to go head to head in
the second leg of the 250. As a one off for this event the time penalty for
‘pro’ drivers has been changed to a single drive through, to be served by all
confirmed pro drivers during the second leg.
Amongst the 23-car field are names
including two-time Formula 3 champion, James Winslow (sharing with Chris
Medland), V8 Supercar ace George Miedecke (Rowan Ross) and former international
open wheel racing stars, Josh Hunt (Peter White) and Nathan Antunes (John
Corbett).
Formula 3 young gun Jon Collins will team
with his Radical-racing mum, Sue Hughes, whilst Ben Porter (Andrew Macpherson),
Oliver Smith (Phil Anseline) and the father-and-son duo of George and Anthony
Davis also feature amongst those entering the race with two driver
combinations.
The event will include the Radical debut of
Aussie Racing Cars frontrunner Peter Carr, who will share Peter Paddon’s SR3
making up what should be a formidable combination.
The field includes eight of the brand new
SR8 RX Radicals and a strong 15-car SR3 ‘Race within a race’ battle.
The format makes for a tantalising prospect
of the SR8-driving trio of Winslow, Hunt and Antunes going head to head with
the most dominant force in the series in recent times – Neale Muston – in the
second leg, in what could prove a thrilling race.
Drivers will score championship points in
both legs, however leg one will only count towards the championship should
their car also finish leg two of the First Neon 250.
In a Radical Australia Cup first, both legs
will feature a full championship rolling start offering an exciting spectacle
as the big field rolls side by side down towards the super-quick first turn at
Sydney Motorsport Park.
Neale Muston (SR8) leads SR3 driver Liam
Talbot in the overall Radical Australia Cup standings, with Peter White (SR8),
Andrew Macpherson (SR3) and Richard Kimber (SR8) completing the top five.
Talbot leads Macpherson and Greg Smith in
the SR3 Cup class, Muston leading White and Kimber in the battle of the SR8s.
Both legs of the race will be broadcast
live and free via the Shannons Nationals live internet streaming service, via
www.thenationals.com.au
, on Sunday morning.
Highlights of the racing action will the be
shown on SBS Speedweek and SPEED TV Australia in coming weeks.