They will share a GDL Akritas Racing entry with Chris Batzios alongside a yet-to-be-confirmed fifth driver in the famously fun-first race on July 3-5.
Just a week after the 24 Hours of Spa, the same Belgian circuit will host more than 120 identical Fun Cup cars.
The car was designed to be friendly and affordable. What started off as a small series in the late 1990s has grown exponentially.
Fun Cup is on its third-generation car, with the latest model made by Belgian racing giants Team WRT.
The team famously competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship, leading the BMW program in Hypercar.
While the car looks like a Beetle, that’s the only thing Volkswagen about it.
Click here now.
Strapped to the tubular frame chassis is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder motor making 172 hp (126 kW) attached to a sequential gearbox.
A lap around Spa-Francorchamps takes just shy of three minutes in a Fun Cup car, about 40 seconds slower than the fastest GT3 cars.
“I’m really looking forward to this one,” said David Brabham.
“To share a car with my son Sam, alongside Jayden and Chris, in a 25-hour race at Spa is something very special. Spa-Francorchamps is one of the greatest circuits in the world.
“With more than 100 Fun Cup cars on track at the same time, it’s guaranteed to be absolute chaos, but that’s all part of the challenge and the fun.
“I was fortunate enough to win the Spa 24 Hours back in 1992 in the Nissan Skyline GT-R, so adding the Fun Cup 25 Hours to my CV would be cool.
“We’ve got a strong team and driver line-up with a great mix of youth and experience, and while we’ll enjoy every minute of it, make no mistake, we’re going there to be competitive and fight for the win.”
While Brabham and Ojeda are well versed in endurance racing, the Fun Cup will be an all-new experience for the pair who are more accustomed to the fastest GT machines.
For Ojeda, it’s the first time he’ll have raced at the iconic Ardennes circuit.
“To get the opportunity to compete in this race with these guys will be a lot of fun,” said Ojeda.
“It will be my first time competing at Spa-Francorchamps so I am really looking forward to this iconic circuit.
“I have been watching this race online and learning what I can before I head over and it looks insane to be on track with over 100 of these cars for 25 hours.
“When Chris called me and mentioned he wanted to do this race I said yes before he’d even
finished the sentence.
“For sure we will have a blast and be competitive as well.”
The Fun Cup marks a return to racing for Batzios, who has been a GT World Challenge Australia regular.
He took a leave of absence from racing during 2024 due to health reasons.
“I’m excited just to be back in a race-car – even though it’s not a GT car – after a long break following surgery,” said Batzios.
“What a place to come back to; the jewel that is Spa and in an endurance event!
“Honestly, it’s just awesome to share the car with a group that I call very good friends and to simply have a great time with them.
“They have all been and continue to be a big part of my short motorsport journey as an Am driver.
“The fact that some of them are superstars and household names is a bonus that’s definitely not lost on me.
“There is some immense endurance knowledge and experience in the team particularly with David but also Jayden, and Sam Brabs knows me in a car better than myself so I am in amazing hands.
“Still need to work out who is doing the bulk of the graveyard shift in the dark, but one thing is certain, we’re gonna have so much fun and compete hard, exactly as intended.”
Aussie competitors in last year’s 25-hour Spa Fun Cup event included Dick Johnson Racing Supercars co-driver Todd Hazlwood.
Discussion about this post