A new name will join the Radical Cup North America program in 2024 as Suellio Almeida will take his first green flag of the season at Sebring International Raceway in a few weeks’ time. Sim racer turned Radical Cup competitor, Almeida has chosen the Radical SR3 XXR platform with RySpec Racing as he begins his ultimate goal of being on the grid at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2028.
“This is a great story on how the Radical Cup program can help set lifelong goals for an individual,” said Radical Cup North America’s Tom Drewer. “Suellio has a great story about where he started, where he is today, and his future goals in motorsports and we are thankful that he will compete with us in 2024.”
A professional pianist earning a masters in piano while in Canada, Almeida moved from Brazil before studying Civil Engineering for three years. In late 2018, Almeida purchased a steering wheel and started to get into online racing, but also needed money to live.
“My career really started coaching iRacers where I went from coaching one drivers a week to 30 or more in just a few months,” said Almeida. “This eventually became a full-time position for me as I got more into racing.”
In 2021, Almeida became the Canadian champion in Porsche on iRacing and started to grow his social media following. Later that year, Almeida hit the track for real the first time at Shannonville Motorsports Park, driving an FRS (GT86) with ApexV2R (Virtual to Reality). 2022 saw Almedia compete in the full season of the Super Production Challenge, one of the most popular amateur classes in Canada.
Fast forward to 2024, the 29-year-old Almeida has chosen Radical Cup to help achieve his future goals of competing at Le Mans
“Radical seems to be the right choice, the right step, and the right platform to allow me to grow as a driver. Radical allows me to prepare for a broad range of platforms including GT, LMP3, open wheel, and more,” said Almeida. “I like how it’s balanced. It forces you to use your feet. The steering ratio is very slow, so it forces you to learn very early how much rotation can be used to turn the car.
“I’m still coming to terms with the downforce and braking later, more aggressively and being comfortable with oversteer on entry but that is why I committed to the 2024 North America program with RySpec Racing. I want to learn, continue my development, and eventually be a racing champion in the real world as well as the sim world.”
To help get him up to speed, Almeida has not only trusted in RySpec to advance his progress but has also enlisted the help of an Olympic athlete and a sports psychologist to train him.
“I want to leave no stone unturned and by the end of 2024, I want to be battling for race wins, podium results, and be a driver that is consistently at the front of the field,” he said.
Almeida will take his first green flag of the season at the March 1-3 Sebring weekend. To learn more about him, visit www.SuellioAlmeida.ca or www.TheMotorRacingCoach.com, or visit his YouTube page.
Radical Cup North America calendar
Rd 1: March 1-3 // Sebring International Raceway // USAC
Rd 2: April 26-28 // Barber Motorsports Park // INDYCAR
Rd 3: June 6-9 // Road America // INDYCAR
Rd 4: June 21-23 // Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca // INDYCAR
Rd 5: July 19-21 // Streets of Toronto // INDYCAR
Rd 6: Sept 26-28 // Sonoma Raceway // USAC
World Finals: November TBC
Radical Cup North America events are open to local and regional Radical racers of all ages with eligible cars to participate. More information, including links to register for events and obtain licensing, can be found at www.radicalmotorsport.com. Stay tuned to the Radical Cup social media pages for the latest series news and updates.