At Donington Park on Saturday April 23rd Bute Motorsport announced their plans for a new series in 2017 called ‘The Prototype Cup’. But you won’t have to wait that long to see the cars in action because Bute Motorsport have organised a shakedown ‘show case’ event at Snetterton on October 8th & 9th this year. This inaugural race will feature a one-hour, pit stop race with a driver change. Drivers will be bronze/amateur rated and paired with a professional driver, or a driver of any grading.
A full six-weekend calendar will follow in 2017, visiting the three Grand Prix circuits at Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Donington Park. Races are also planned for Snetterton, the Donington national circuit and historic Spa-Francorchamps. These races will all be one hour, two driver, pit stop races.
The Prototype Cup is aimed predominantly at ACO-homologated LMP3 cars, which will be supported by the FIA-homologated Group CN sports racing cars where possible. This will ensure tight technical control and very close racing. The launch event was attended by representatives from LMP3 and CN manufacturer Onroak Automotive, Ligier UK agents United Autosports and AVE-Riley, UK agents for Murphy Prototypes. The show of support from these key stakeholders demonstrated the continued growth anticipated in the LMP3 format and the belief in a national level, UK-based prototype championship.
The Prototype Cup will be an ideal platform for drivers and teams to develop their skills and take the first steps on the journey to racing in the blue riband Le Mans 24 hours. High profile prototype racing has been missing from the UK racing calendar for quite some time. Now it’s back.
Bute Motorsport are the organisers and promoters of the successful GT Cup championship which is now in its tenth year.
Jock Simpson.
Images courtesy of : Nicola Todd http://www.