Archive
Professional and Amateur Drivers to compete on a “level playing field”
6th February 2009
All drivers, Professional and Amateurs alike, competing in the 2009 Radical UK Cup will have an equal chance of taking Poles and overall race wins as the 2009 regulations have been written with “equalisation” in mind.
Qualifying times for the first race of a double header meeting will be set by the Amateur driver only – Professional drivers will still need to qualify to comply with “blue book” regs but their times will be dis-counted for setting the grid. The second race grid will be formed from the finishing positions of the first race. For the new 75 minute races only the Amateur drivers’ qualifying times will make the grid slots.
The pit-stops in the double-header races will run as of 2008 with the exception of a Pro/Am team will get 10 seconds longer on the Driver change pit stop.
During the new 75 minute races, rules have been added to equalise the Pro and Am drivers:
Driver Change – the Pro in a Pro/Am team can only drive for max 50% overall race distance, in a team of two amateurs the drivers decide for themselves the split.
Added pit stop – once the drivers in the Pro/Am team have changed, the car moves out of its pit to a marked “Penalty” area for a further 20 second wait before being released onto the circuit.
Experienced and “seasoned” Professional Driver, Nigel Greensall, says “ the series and all the competitors benefit from having professional drivers on the grid. It raises the standards of driving and gives all the drivers a clear view of the ultimate performance of these wonderful race cars, along with the new drivers gaining tips and advice from the professionals that often have vast experience of racing in all sorts of cars and categories. With the design of these cars it allows drivers having their first races to experience the same enjoyment as those with many years of racing experience.”
Amateur driver and Radical UK Cup stalwart, Colin Noble, says “ … the new regulations are very positive for an amateur driver who owns and runs the car himself (with the help of a couple of friends). The qualifying seems a lot fairer and the handicap system for the ‘pro’ drivers seems about right. Being a single driver my only concerns are doing a 75 minute race on my own will be quite a challenge, other than that I think it’s a breathe of fresh air for the championship and should encourage more amateurs into the semi-professional arena of the UK Cup. Also a major plus for myself are the cost to run in the championship which is extremely good value. If you take the venues visited and the track time over the weekend, there is not a lot better out there.”
