2012 Press Release Header
Sunday, March 31, 2013. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


 

Gerhard Watzinger and John Falb win inaugural Radical Cup
sportscar series race in Utah.
 
 

 

Radical Cup drivers celebrate the inaugural race on the podium. � NARRA
Gerhard Watzinger and John Falb made history at Miller Motorsports Park on Saturday, becoming the first winners of the revolutionary Radical Cup sportscar series. The pair completed a clean sweep of the proceedings after also qualifying on pole position in their respective classes.

 

With successful sister series already running in the UK, throughout Europe, Australia and even the Middle East, the world's largest racing car manufacturer, Radical Sportscars, is after the coveted title of creating the largest single make series in the USA.


To ensure this happens the national Radical Cup series has been created for the company's highly successful SR3 and SR8 prototype sportscars, in association with the North American Road Racing Association, Monticello Motor Club and Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club.

Cars took to Miller Motorsports Park, just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah for qualifying and Round 1 of the season on Saturday.

Ecstatic to take the inaugural SR8 pole position, Watzinger (SR8, #32) divulged his demon tweak.

"I'm pretty happy I'm the [first] pole sitter. I went out with actually a lower tire pressure and I think this was the secret sauce for the qualifying."

First and second in the SR3 class, John Falb (#77) and Tony Bullock (#12) were singing each other's praises.

Bullock commented, "We needed to find a few tenths [in qualifying] which was pretty amazing, so my hat's off to P1 [John Falb], while Falb responded, "Tony's got really fast, really quick, but we all push each other to go even faster."

Perhaps qualifying's biggest surprise came from the father and son camp of Randy (SR8, #85) and Ryan Carpenter (SR3, #05).

"Usually I am faster," exclaimed Ryan realizing his father had out qualified him by less than eight one-hundreds of a second, before Randy made it clear he'd be rubbing it in.

"I give him a lot of crap for everything- I try to beat him down while I can [laughing], but honestly if I do well it's a win for me, but if he does well I'm even happier. I've very proud, proud of him. If I'm going to lose, I'd rather lose to him."

As for his gap to SR8 pole sitter Watzinger, Randy commented, "I've just got to put in a little more effort, and get something done."

The action came thick and fast as the historic first green flag flew over the field. Barreling down into turn one, dust flew as drivers went three wide and Falb and Bullock jockeyed for position.

"It was tricky having the SR8 in front and Tony behind me," commented Falb, and while he retained the class lead, the fight was far from over. Bullock never gave up and the pair traded times throughout the race, with Bullock claiming the fastest SR3 race lap of 1:51.887.

Impressively his time only two tenths shy of Watzinger's V8's best of 1:51.606- also a new race lap record. Both drivers received a bonus point for their effort.

Meanwhile Randy Carpenter's plan of pushing harder to catch Watzinger had already unraveled as he looped his SR8 in the final turn, making light contact with the wall.

Therefore the task of keeping Watzinger honest was left to Falb and Bullock, whose battle for the SR3 win did just that. And while only 2.729 seconds separated the class winners as they crossed the line, Watzinger's grip on the first outright and SR8 Radical Cup USA win in history was never threatened.

Adam Merzon (#7) and Randy Carpenter completed the SR8 podium.

The fight for final step of the SR3 podium was also close, with Ryan Carpenter (#85) under hot pursuit from fourth placed Ron Fletcher (#19) in his black and gold 'bat mobile'.

Bruce Jones (SR3, #17) claimed the race's unofficial hard charger award, impressively redeeming himself after a spin on the opening lap dropped him down the order.

Finding a further two seconds on his best time in qualifying, Jones hunted down and dispatched Adam Merzon (SR8, #7), John Thompson (9th SR3, #48) and Todd Slusher (8th SR3, #2).

Further progress was only impeded by the checkered flag- much to the relief of Ron Eckhardt (#93) and Mark Allan (#36), the fifth and sixth placed SR3s. Only two seconds covered the trio as they crossed the line.

However the man with the biggest grin was SR3 race winner John Falb, who celebrated his victory with his biggest fans, and shared his excitement for the series and the season ahead.

"The Radical platform has such great world wide success, and [it's] a proven formula, so it's nice to know we'll be looking back a decade from now at my name in the history books along with a whole lot of guys who are having fun.

My goal is always to win and to be at the top of the qualifying sheet, and I certainly hoped and did everything to achieve that.

I've got the whole family here, except one of the older son's. We're even expecting the Easter Bunny to show up. I think there will be a few eggs lying around that may get found by more than the little ones. It should be a good Easter.

I love the setup. These cars, the professionalism, [and] the schedule. I'm really excited for the entire season, and [hope] to continue to do well."

Second placed SR3 driver Bullock has other ideas.

"We're going to make some tweaks and adjustments so that's not an easy repeat for him, that's for sure."

The pair, along with the rest of 2013 class, will get their next chance at 1:10pm MST today when Round 2 of the Radical Cup gets underway at Miller Motorsports Park. The race can be followed via live timing via at motorsporttiming.com.

Full Race Results can be viewed at narraonline.com or mylaps.com (search NASA UTAH 30 Mar) or click here

 

  

Watch the latest event videos at youtube.com/NARRAonline.

Follow us at facebook.com/NARRAonline.

 

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Download hi-res images for this release here

 

For media inquires, images or further information contact the NARRA press office via email or call 404 825 2641.
 
For general inquires, upcoming event information and registration visit NARRAonline.com, email us or call 817 829 4893. 

 

For series inquires and 'arrive and drive' reservations contact simon@radicalwest.com.

Race the Nation. FINAL
2013 NARRA Calendar (
Radical Cup in red)

 

Feb 15-17   Texas World Speedway - College Station, TX
  
Mar 29-31   Miller Motorsports Park - Toole, UT
  
Apr 12-14   Road Atlanta - Braselton, GA
   
May 17-19  Watkins Glen International - Watkins Glen, NY
    
June 7-9     New Jersey Motorsports Park - Millville, NJ 
 
June 28-30 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - Salinas, CA
    
July 12-14  Virginia International Raceway - Alton, VA
  
July 26-28  AutoBahn Country Club - Joliet, IL
    
Aug 16-18   Pitt Race (formerly Beaver Run) - Wampum, PA 
      
Sep 6-8      Monticello Motor Club - Monticello, NY 
     
Oct 2-5       American Le Mans Series at VIR - Alton, VA
     
Nov 22-24   Sebring International Raceway - Sebring, FL
3 Series registered2012 SRT Viper CupRadical Cup Straightcurrent viper days logo
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Monticello  
 
Spring Mountain

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Race winner Gerhard Watzinger on the grid.� NARRA
Radical Cup cars in pit lane during qualifying. � NARRA
The SR8 Podium. � NARRA
Bruce Jones. � NARRA
Radical Cup girls fly the flag. � NARRA
The SR3 podium. � NARRA
Ryan Carpenter. � NARRA
The Radical Cup take its first green flag.
� NARRA

Quick Links









Note: You must be a member to register for an event.

FOR ANY INQUIRES OR EVENT REGISTRATION CALL 817 829 4893.

Images � NARRA unless stated.
About Radical West - RadicalWestUSA.com

Radical West, based at Spring Mountain Country Club in Nevada, is the only West Coast dealer for Radical Sports cars and has been the world's largest Radical dealer for the last 10 years, selling 30 new cars a year and currently supporting 120 cars on-site. Radical West offers car preparation, set-up, trackside support, OEM parts and tires. Radical West is the only dealer in the world outside of the factory authorized to rebuild and seal the engines used in the Radical product range to the same exact standards as Powertec UK. In conjunction with Spring Mountain, Radical West offers a Radical school for people who would like to try before they buy, learn how to drive a race car for the first time as a beginner, or as an experienced driver who would like to improve via one on one coaching.


About Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club - SpringMountainMotorsports.com

Combine an incredible 4 mile racetrack with resort-style amenities and an exceptional staff, and you have the ultimate destination for discriminating motorsports enthusiasts. Spring Mountain is a state-of-the-art motorsports country club, set in a beautiful mountain backdrop, offering premium amenities including an 8000 square foot clubhouse, condominiums, private garages, racquetball court, pool, climbing wall, workout facility and more. Our luxurious, convenient facility is the perfect environment to mingle with like-minded people, and relax after a long day of adrenaline filled racing. Whether you drive a Miata or Murcielago, at Club Spring Mountain your driving experience will be taken to a whole new level.


About Monticello Motor Club - MonticelloMotorClub.com
Located on 670 acres in the picturesque foothills of New York's Catskill Mountains, Monticello Motor Club (MMC) is only 90 minutes from Manhattan. Opened in July 2008, MMC is a private automotive resort reserved for its members and a select number of manufacturer, competition, corporate and charity events. As a private country club, MMC is not available for rent to car clubs. Featuring a critically acclaimed 4.1 mile racing circuit, MMC caters to driving enthusiasts, from beginners with no track experience to professional racers. Between laps, members relax in an exceptional glass & aluminum clubhouse that features classrooms, dining area, bar, kitchen, members-only lounge, private locker rooms, pro-shop and attached temperature-controlled garages. Current facilities also include a North Pit clubhouse with stadium seating, parking paddock, fueling facilities, private garages, and on-site service centers.
 
 
About the North American Road Racing Association - NARRAonline.com

 

In the business of entertainment as well as racing, the North American Road Racing Association's aim is to create the most spectacular events for drivers, teams, series, manufacturers, sponsors and fans. From three day national spectator events at premium venues to OEM driving experiences and one-off celebrity races, NARRA offers a full range of motorsport services including series and event sanctioning, management and promotion, publicity and in-house broadcast video production. Home to high-end, high-performance sports cars for over 19 years, NARRA is known for camaraderie as well as competition. NARRA caters to every skill level, from novice to professional and allows participants to rise through its own ranks, from the US Performance Driver Education program with personal instruction to the Whelen US TimeTrial Championship and US GT Championship. NARRA also sanctions and manages the SRT Viper Cup and Radical Cup USA series.