CURRENT Radical Australia Cup Champion Ed Singleton heads to this weekend’s fifth round of the 2012 Radical Australia Cup with a new sponsor.
The 2011 RAC champion has joined forces with Queensland-based Finance EZI Racing for the remainder of the season, with his #1 Radical SR3 to run the distinctive bright branding of the company for the remainder of the year.
Singleton’s partnership with Finance EZI was announced on the Gold Coast this Monday, with the first full outing as part of the organisation to be at this weekends Shannons Nationals round at Queensland Raceway.
“Maurie has expanded the Finance EZI racing operation from the Kumho V8 Touring Car series to now include the Radical Australia Cup,” Singleton said.
“It’s going to be a big show at QR, with three very impressively presented race cars on track right across the weekend.”
Finance EZI are a national finance and leasing business offering motor vehicle, truck, equipment, boat and mortgage finance products and operating with the tag line, ‘We finance almost anything’.
The partnership may have additional benefits for Singleton in the longer-term, with paddock discussion currently suggesting his strong desire to step into a brand-new Radical SR8 RX Competition V8 for the 2013 RAC.
Singleton’s new branding has come at perhaps the best round of the season, with the RAC field to make its first visit to the 3.1km Queensland Raceway circuit this weekend.
The series has raced with the Shannons Nationals in Queensland in the past; however that was at the Morgan Park circuit in Warwick.
The chance to visit Queensland Raceway, near Ipswich, levels the playing field in a series that – at least at Sydney Motorsport Park – has been dominated by Neale Muston this season. The Sydney driver has won all three rounds held at the circuit this year – and missed the trip to Phillip Island in May.
As a result the flying Corse Motorsport driver sits just five points behind the ever-consistent series leader, Glyn Edis, with Tony Palmer just three points further behind.
However Edis’ will not take part in this weekends’ round – his absence throwing the fight wide open and perhaps allowing fourth and fifth-placed Simon Haggarty and Peter Johnston into the fight for the title as well.
Also joining the field for the first time this weekend will be Queensland competitor, Phil Holzberger.
A long time Porsche competitor, Holzberger has purchased his own Radical SR3 racer and will make his debut on his home circuit – and he’s drafted in some expert support for his first RAC experience.
Three-time Gold Star champion Paul Stokell will co-drive with Holzberger in the Asset Val Radical this weekend in a strong combination that could snag a result on debut.
The Radical Australia Cup will tackle three races this weekend, two, 10-lap sprints on Saturday before a 50- minite mini-enduro on Sunday, with compulsory pit stop.
Three have entered with two-driver combinations; Matt McGill teaming with Geoff Brunsdon, regulars Phil Anseline with Oliver Smith and the Stokell / Holzberger combination.
Action commences this Friday with practice, before qualifying and two sprint races on Saturday.
Round 5 of the championship will be showcased on SBS SPEEDWEEK and SPEED TV’s Inside Speed program in coming weeks.
2012 RADICAL AUSTRALIA CUP OUTRIGHT STANDINGS – After Round 4
1. Glyn Edis 242
2. Neale Muston 237 3. Tony Palmer 234
4. Simon Haggarty 196 5. Peter Johnston 146
RADICAL AUSTRALIA MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Tony Haggarty 104
2. Richard Bloomfield 100 3. Andrew Macpherson 94
