Just a few days away from the start of Round 1 of the 2025/26 Gulf Radical Cup, and the entry list is taking shape. With 18 cars expected on the grid in their Radical SR3 1500s coming from 11 different countries.
This strong grid of drivers from across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia will launch into the opening round of the region’s most competitive national race series. With a mix of returning race winners, international debutants in their new-generation XXR cars!
Eighteen cars are entered for the season opener, fielded by top teams including GulfSport Racing, Dream Racing, Continental Racing, Valour Racing, and KAA Motorsport — each boasting proven Radical contenders and ambitious newcomers.
Dream Racing exploded back into life last season and is looking to secure its place at the top of the tables this year. Notably with Alex Bukhantsov (two-time GRC Champion). Teammate Amir Feyzulin, a front-runner in 2024/25 and a podium regular, is another to watch. German driver Marcel Kopp makes his return to the Gulf Radical Cup after test and race outings earlier this year in an LMP3, while Russian driver Alexander Chachava returns in his Dream Racing SR3 XXR.
GulfSport Racing’s (Radical UAE) lineup, spearheaded by Usmaan Mughal, who is the 2024/25 Gulf Radical Cup Vice Champion. But challenged this year by newcomer, but rapid Harry Hannam, one of the youngest but most composed drivers in the field, already a proven local multiple Kart racing champion and last seasons Clio Cup Middle East Champion.
Returning to racing after a 30-year gap is Alain Alfonsi in the red and white GSR XXR, with Stephen Shanly also adding experience to the team. Aleks Celiandin making his Gulf Radical Cup debut and Peri Daremas looking for another podium at Yas Marina Circuit complete the team’s impressive line-up, all looking to build on testing pace at Yas in previous weeks.
The Continental Racing duo of Alexandr Novichkov and Vasily Vladykin bring experience and speed to the Continental racing line-up. Novichkov, who claimed the GRC National Champion title last year, joins Vladykin — a seasoned GT racer. The final driver for Continental is yet to be announced.
Austrian Jorden Dolischka and Hungarian Lena Galyo make up Valour Racing’s youthful and ambitious entry. Dolischka, who won the Racing Women shoot-out at Donnington Park last month, with this fully paid prize drive from sports.com races alongside Galyo. Galyo was very rapid at Donnington also, and brings a high level of karting experience, and is the youngest driver on the grid.
Lebanese racer Johnny Khazzoum joins the newly formed KAA Motorsport for 2025/26 this season. Khazzoum is one of the most experienced drivers out there, and with his commitment to the full season this year, the pressure is on to see those podiums roll in.
Lastly, Andy Lowe, who has spent the summer campaigning in the UK Radical Cup and North America Radical Cup, will be flying in for Round 1, before getting back on a plane to compete at the 2025 Radical World Finals at Virginia International Raceway in the USA.
Testing starts on Thursday night with a 3-hour open pitlane, before another 3-hour session Friday morning. Followed by a 60-minute and 30-minute Gulf Radical Cup practice session that afternoon. Saturday sees qualifying and two x 25-minute Sprint races, with another qualifying on Sunday morning before the 45-minute Enduro Race.
Catch all the action from Yas Marina Circuit live this Saturday on the official Radical Motorsport YouTube page.
