Low cost Suzuki Swift Cup targets new racers
The Suzuki Swift Cup has proved a hit around the world
A new racing series has been launched in Dubai that aims to bring in new racers from communities with no motorsport history.
Sean Stevens, the man behind the new Suzuki Swift Cup, said he hopes the one-make series will be attractive to those from India, Pakistan and the Philippines, as well as those from Arabic nations and young drivers making a move up from karting – the lower age limit is 15.
“Race days here are dominated by Western expats but I want to see the Indian community involved, GCC Arabs, Pakistanis and Philippinos,” Mr Stevens said.
“The way to really grow motorsport in this region is to engage all sectors of the community. I know a lot of these guys want to do motorsport but they don’t know how because there’s no tradition here.”
The Suzuki Swift Cup will initially use cars built in Hungary by Zengo Motorsport, which runs successful European versions of the series and has set up an arm in Dubai. All the cars will be identical to ensure the focus is on driving skill.
The cars themselves are slightly modified versions of the Suzuki Swifts available in showrooms. The interiors have been stripped, roll cages fitted and racing seats, seatbelts and steering wheel installed, while the engine has a new racing air filter and a straight through exhaust. They also run on slick tyres but otherwise little has changed, in order to keep costs down.
The series is designed to be a low cost start in car racing. It runs in an arrive and drive format – drivers pay for their seat rather than having to shell out for a car of their own. A season of racing costs just 45,000AED or 10,000AED on a race-by-race basis, making it much cheaper than other events available in the region.
Drivers will also need to pay a 15,000AED deposit to cover any damage to the car, and pay for their own safety equipment such as helmet, gloves and race suit.
The first season, from now until April, will see the Swifts run as part of the UAE Touring Car races, but from September this year, Mr Stevens hopes they will be standalone races with grids of up to 26 cars.
As well as drivers, Mr Stevens is also looking for three major partners to help fund the series. Their branding will appear on 80 percent of the car’s surface, with the remainder available for the driver’s branding.
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