GCI Racing is planning a season of Fun Cup racing having last year made a spur of the moment decision to buy a car and do the last two races in the innovative endurance championship.
The team of Craig Butterworth & Ian Wood is joined and managed by Grahame Butterworth who first brought the Fun Cup championship to the UK in 2002, creating a new format of racing this side of the Channel.
Back then, Race Director Grahame, with top karter son Craig, clocked up several podiums & a win, as well as a 4th place with Ian, before Grahame sold his interests in the series and switched to Radicals.
But a conversation over several beers saw the trio decide to test the water last autumn & two action packed races with the decision taken to take on all but one race this season.
Says Grahame: “The whole point of the format was to create ultra-close racing on a sensible budget with a number of innovations. The last race at Oulton was a perfect example of how well it works with three cars only deciding the season-long championship on the last lap after four hours of racing.”
“The cars have moved forwards in technology & the closeness of performance makes for great racing. There is also a great camaraderie in the pitlane. We certainly have to up our game if we are going to be in the top 10 let alone on the podium this year!”
Grahame has extensive motorsport experience as a promoter, organiser, sponsor and competitor within racing, rallying and kart racing. He has been co-ordinator for Formula TKM, the UK’s most successful kart race series for the past 20 plus years.
Son Craig, having won several kart championships went on after Fun Cup to be a successful Radical racer. Ian Wood, has plenty of track experience though only a handful of races.
After testing, the team will start the season at Oulton Park in April.
