Season five goes live. Sports Prototype Cup 2023 dates released.
Current and former F1 circuits in five weekend, ten race calendar
Collaboration with Zeo Prototypes with the BRM Chronographes UK-European Trophy
Open to a wide range of prototype cars, with specific promoted manufacturer classes
Partnership with Iberian LPC gives a year-round racing opportunities
Sports Prototype Cup has released its provisional calendar for season five. As in 2022, the Cup will visit high-profile circuits with a mix of UK and mainland European rounds.
11/12 March Barcelona
20/21 May Silverstone GP
17/18 June Donington GP
13/15 Oct Spa
Winter finale Portimao (date TBC)
Collaboration with Zeo Prototypes to brings longer UK races and increased promotion
For the two UK rounds Zeo Prototypes and Sports Prototype Cup will be sharing the grid. The events at Donington and Silverstone Grand Prix Circuits will feature two 30 minute races adding to Zeo’s previous race length.
To further strengthen this collaboration, a new award has been introduced for the driver achieving the most wins across both series. The BRM Chronographes UK-European Trophy winner will receive an exclusive limited edition B.R.M. Hybride watch, valued at £2,500, plus a bespoke trophy.
James Bailey, Director of PitBox91, the promoters of Sports Prototype Cup, stated: “We worked with Zeo in 2022 and the friendly paddock atmosphere, clean racing and impressive promotion was well-received by our international Cup drivers. They have become established as the leading UK prototype series so it makes sense to work together to grow our grids. The BRM Chronographes UK-European Trophy will encourage drivers to race in both Zeo’s UK rounds and our European rounds.”
Zeo Prototypes coordinator Grace Williams said: ‘This collaboration allows us to further grow the series with the biggest and most varied grid of prototypes in the UK. These high-downforce cars suit the fast and flowing circuits of Donington and Silverstone Grand Prix Circuits which will promise fans and drivers spectacular race days’
Return to leading European F1 circuits
After the success of the Sports Prototype Cup’s premium European races over the past three seasons, the Cup returns to Spa, Zandvoort and Portimao, three of the most demanding circuits in Europe. This further solidifies the Cup’s relationships with Supercar Challenge and the new Iberian LPC Championship, creating a combined prototype grid at each of these high-profile circuits. As in 2022, the final race of the Sports Prototype Cup at Portimao will also be the opening round of the LPC Winter Championship, providing the opportunity for teams to extend their racing season into the winter.
Each of these events will be double headers featuring race lengths of between 40 and 60 minutes, with generous free practice time included. The exact format will be confirmed when online entry opens on December 30th.
Revised class structure with ‘Race within a Race’ format for leading prototype brands
The Cup will once again feature the following individually promoted classes at each round:
Revolution Trophy - for the Revolution 427 and 500SC
Radical Trophy - for any Radical model
Radical SR3 Trophy - for the ever-popular SR3*
Sports Prototype Open - for any other invited lightweight prototype. Teams and drivers representing brands such as Ligier, KTM, Praga and Funyo are welcome to apply. Branded classes can be created if five or more of the same car enter.
*Subject to five cars at each round, otherwise this will be merged into the Radical Trophy class.
Entries will open next month, but competitors can register their interest here: https://www.sportsprototypecup.com/register-your-interest