2025 season to launch at Phillip Island

NAMES NEW, returning and even one from overseas highlight a strong grid assembled for the opening round of the 2025 First Focus Radical Cup Australia Series.

To be staged at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit this weekend at the first round of the re-born Shannons SpeedSeries, the 18-strong grid of Radical SR3 racers includes a broad mix of competitors, teams and drivers from all walks of life.

2024’s two key title protagonists return with the East-versus-West battle between First Focus driver Peter Paddon – the reigning Champion – and West Aussie young gun Cooper Cutts to continue this year.

Paddon will field the #1 on the side of his SR3XXR entry this year as he seeks back-to-back titles while Cutts, who claimed four of the last eight races in 2024, will chase him hard in search of a maiden crown.

The pair dominated across season 2024, winning 10 of the 12 races contested and scoring a podium finish in every round - while Cutts’ trophy-getting record stretches even further back to the end of the 2023 season.

The dynamic duo at the front are unlikely to have things their own way this year, however, as the field looks to dethrone them.

From the West, Lance East Exotics-supported duo Chris Reindler and Bryce Moore return for a second campaign sharing the #28 entry while young-gun karting graduate, Ruairidh Avern, will make his national-level circuit racing debut with the team this year.

Currently studying a double degree in Mechatronics and Motorsport at Edith Cowen University in Perth, ‘Rowdy’ Avern is a reigning WA State title winner in karting.

He recently contested his first race with Arise in the opening round of the WA FSR Championship: qualifying fourth behind Radical Cup Australia regulars Moore, Reindler and Brad Russell, and finishing third overall.   

The battle for the AM class is likely to be intense with a host of contenders entered this weekend – all looking to step up in the absence of reining class champion, Ash Samadi.

2024 Masters runner-up Brad Russell returns, as does the dynamic Volante Rosso combination of Greg Kenny and Melinda Price. The pair headline a four-car attack from the Sydney squad: Josh Hunt to partner with first-timer Nick Lory, while Jim Hernandez and Peter Clare also line up this year.

Terry Knowles is back in his distinctive green Ausnets entry following a breakout season in 2024 that included a maiden podium finish in South Australia.

The field will also include international representation for the first time this season, with Gulf Radical Cup regular Ibby Hadeed set to make his Australian debut this weekend.

Hadeed joins GWR Australia aboard their #222 entry fresh from recent competition in the UAE, where he sits 15th outright in the competitive 2024/25 season with one round remaining, having scored several top-10 finishes.

Hadeed will be one of four Radical rookies contesting the opening round of the 2025 championship.

Nick Lory will race alongside Josh Hunt at Volante Rosso for the first time, the long-time supporter of the team swapping from supporter to competitor this weekend – having cut his teeth in Hyundai Excel competition.

Meanwhile, Arise Racing duo Mark Cirillo and Dave Allan will partner aboard the #527 entry.

While Cirillo has one start to his credit – at the Perth round in 2024 – Allen will make his Radical debut this weekend.

While Arise Racing, GWR Australia and Volante Rosso Motorsport numerically dominate the entry list, Geoff Forshaw’s outfit will also be strong contenders.

The First Focus Radical Cup Australia grid will tackle three races this weekend at Phillip Island – a pair of 25-minute sprints followed by a 50-minute enduro to complete the weekend.

Qualifying and all three races will be broadcast live on either 7plus, while races one and three will also be shown live on 7mate as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries broadcast this weekend.

This year marks the second year the championship has partnered with Sydney-based Information Technology Management firm First Focus as the category title sponsor.

Garry’s Motorsport Tyres – Australian distributors of control Radical Cup rubber from Hankook - will provide a $250 pole award at each event while Omologato Watches also return as a key partner in 2025. Amadio Wines will continue to supply the bubbly for podium celebrations at each round.

Follow the action via @radicalcupaus on socials this weekend or using the hashtag, #RadicalCupAus

Friday, 4 April

Practice 1 – 09:10 Practice 2 – 12:50 Practice 3 – 16:30

Saturday, 5 April

Qualifying – 09:10 – live on 7plus Race 1 – 12:10 – Live on 7plus and 7mate

Sunday, 6 April

Race 2 – 09:50 – Live on 7plus Race 3 – 15:00 – Live on 7plus and 7mate

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