MARSHALS TEAM TO MAKE RACING DEBUT IN FUN CUP ENDURANCE FINALE WITH GT RADIAL

In an incredible opportunity for all involved, Fun Cup Endurance Championship partners GT Radial will be giving a team of marshals their racing debut at this weekend’s final round of the 2023 season at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

GT Radial spoke with the Fun Cup Endurance Championship organisers and wanted to give something back to the motorsport community and thought it would be fantastic to give back to the orange army who look after everyone in motorsport each and every race weekend.

GT Radial worked with the BMMC to receive the CVs of marshals who were interested, with the experienced/long standing marshals being put forward to the next stage. From here, the final 15 marshals competed in a go karting race to thrash it out for selection. 3 drivers were selected to represent the team, with a 4th driver on standby. These 4 drivers were then put through their ARDS licence courtesy of GT Radial. Another few marshals were then selected to support the team at the ever important Fun Cup pit stops.

The three marshals selected to drive at Oulton Park were Tyler James, Tom Pledger and Joe Smith, with Craig Ballantyne also picked as the reserve driver should he be required on standby. Two more marshals were also chosen to join the team’s pit crew for the event, with Dan Lloyd and Joshua Lee the lucky selected pair.

 

 

Oulton Park is both the penultimate and final round of the season for the championship this weekend. The format is three 40-minute Fun Cup exclusive test sessions on the Friday prior to the event, while Saturday will feature 45 minutes of qualifying in the morning, a one hour ‘sprint race’ later that morning (pit stops every 20 mins), followed by a 3 hour endurance race in the afternoon (pit stops every 30 mins).

Fun Cup also provides superb hospitality, with a French chef who comes down to provide all of the food and lots of cakes and drinks supplied by the Championship in the main awning for the drivers, their pit crew, friends & family.

Speaking about this incredible opportunity, Fun Cup Endurance Championship owner and promoter Paul Rose said: “The Fun Cup Endurance Championship has a fantastic relationship with our tyre partners, GT Radial & GITI. When we discussed the idea of a team of marshals racing together under the GT Radial banner, we couldn’t be happier; Without the marshals, motorsport simply would not exist. The marshals we have in the UK work incredibly hard to keep us safe in all conditions and we could not be happier to support GT Radial in showing their appreciation for the Orange army in such a unique and generous way.”

 

All three drivers have expressed their delight in being chosen to race at Oulton Park, with Smith stating he is “very excited, thank you so much for the opportunity!”, James adding “Oh my, what a result! Thanks very much for this, I will not let you down!”, and Pledger stating his surprise at his selection, saying “Wow wow wow! As much as I’d hoped for it, I never thought I’d actually be picked!”

The two races will be live streamed via the Fun Cup Endurance Championship page – https://www.facebook.com/Funcupuk – as well as on the BRSCC YouTube channel, and those that like the Fun Cup page can follow any updates before and after the race and watch the live stream embedded there. If you can also make it to Oulton Park this Saturday, please do come and show your support and enjoy the action trackside!