The most affordable racing series in NSW, Series X3 NSW will kick off as a major support category for the Deputy.com Wakefield 300 on 25-26 February.
The entry list for the opening round of the series includes a mixture of familiar faces and newcomers, with reigning series champion Adam Bryant returning aboard a freshened-up Excel with backing from motorsport parts supplier, Racer Industries.
Bryant’s Excel will sport a distinctive new livery, harking back to the days of Craig Lowndes’ “Green-Eyed Monster” V8 Supercar from the early 2000s.
“Some of the Tasmanian Excel competitors have been running retro liveries, so I decided to do something similar with my car,” Bryant said.
“It’s very pleasing to have a well-known Australian company such as Racer Industries seeing the value within a grass-roots series, and I look forward to giving them some generous exposure throughout the series.
“The aim this year is to remember it’s all about having fun – last year, with the championship on the line, there was a lot of pressure so I want to get back to enjoying it this season.
“The camaraderie in the Excel paddock is one of the best things about the category – we all have a good time and really enjoy each other’s company.”
A number of series rookies are on the entry list, including Ben Bargwanna, son of 2000 Bathurst winner Jason.
The 2017 edition of Series X3 NSW will again feature a mixture of races at the Wakefield Park and Sydney Motorsport Park circuits, and for the first time the category will participate in a couple of non-championship CAMS-sanctioned events.
Category representative Matt Neill said the inclusion of CAMS events added an extra option for some drivers.
“Feedback from our competitor base indicated there was some interest in running at CAMS events, in order to obtain the necessary licence signatures to compete at events such as the Bathurst 6 Hour,” Mr Neill said.
“However, we are conscious of maintaining our position as a low-cost class, which is why the majority of our events will continue to fall under the AASA umbrella.”
This weekend’s series opener at Wakefield Park includes practice, qualifying and four races across Saturday and Sunday.
About Series X3 NSW
Series X3 NSW is a one-make series for Hyundai Excel race cars. It is aimed at being a budget, entry-level category catering to recreational racers along with those looking to forge a professional motorsport career.
Excel race cars are highly affordable and it is possible to have a fully-prepared car on the track for $5,000.
In addition to Series X3 NSW, the cars are also eligible for other events including NSW Production Touring, the Wakefield, Winton and Queensland 300 endurance races, and Bathurst 6 Hour.
2017 Series X3 NSW Calendar
RD 1: Wakefield 300 – 25-26 February
RD 2: SMP DRUITT – 18 March
RD 3: SMP AMAROO – 2 April
BONUS 1 (non-championship): SMP BRABHAM (CAMS) – 29-30 April
RD 4: SMP DRUITT – 3 June
RD 5: WP – 2 July
BONUS 2: 26-27 August (CAMS) ‘surprise’.
RD 6: SMP AMAROO – 1 October
RD 7: Wakefield Park 2 Hour Enduro – 2-3 December
