George Kurtz (above) commenced his racing career behind the wheel of Radical SR3’s at Spring Mountain Motor Club and Resort, just outside of Las Vegas. This led to numerous seasons in the Radical Cup North America series, championship runner-up in the Pro 1500 class in 2013 and multiple race wins as recent as 2020, before his focus shifted to SRO, IMSA and Le Mans competition. Since, Kurtz finished on the podium three times at Daytona, most recently with two second place results in LMP2 in 2023 and 2024.
Kurtz’s co-driver in the No. 04 CrowdStrike Racing by APR entry is Toby Sowery (above). He was part of that podium effort last year, and he too has Radical pedigree. The IndyCar diver was winner of the Pro 1500 class at the 2022 Radical World Finals presented by Hankook at Spring Mountain. The Crowdstrike Racing by APR entry will start ninth in the LMP2 class.
David Heinemeier Hansson is another to have started his journey at the country club in Radicals. His first ever experience behind the wheel was a Radical SR3 at Autobahn Country Club. After learning his craft, he was hooked. His first Le Mans came in 2012, with an LMP2 podium in 2013 and a GTE-Am win in 2015. DHH is no stranger to Daytona or prototypes, having competed for Tequila Patron ESM in the HPD ARX-04b in 2015, and this year he’ll be driving the in the No. 18, Era Motorsport entry and will roll off the grid 11th in the LMP2 category.
Jon Field (above) is returning to IMSA competition after nearly 15 years away. The 2002 ALMS LMP675 champion recently rekindled his love for motorsport with One Motorsports and Radical’s SR10 machines. Field is the reigning Radical Cup North America Platinum class champion, having also won the title in 2023.
His teammate in the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition LMP2 (below), Bijoy Garg (above), is another Radical Cup alumni — a Pro 1340 race winner in 2023. Garg is also a reigning Le Mans champion having won LMP2 with United Autosport last year. Garg, Field and the rest of the Inter Europol Competition team will start tenth in Saturday’s twice-around-the-clock race.
PJ Hyett in the No. 99 AO Racing prototype (below) is another with Radical on the resume. Hyett was the winner of Radical Cup’s races four and five at Barber Motorsports Park in 2024 with Team Stradale, and another driver to have been bitten by the bug at Autobahn Country Club outside Chicago. Hyett starts sixth in LMP2.
In addition to the six Rolex 24 starters, 2024 Radical Cup Pro 1340 champion Suellio Almeida also made his debut in the Michelin Pilot Challenge. The sim racer, who became a real-world champion in his rookie Radical season driving for Graham Rahal Performance, co-piloted the No. 9 Bryan Herta Autosport w/ Curb Agajanian Hyundai TCR entry (below), starting sixth and finishing fourth in the TCR class.
With so many starters having roots with the British brand, Radical’s mantra of #wemakeracers is alive and well. The cars are the preeminent choice of the world’s top motor racing country clubs, while the Radical Cup North America series is one of 19 Radical series across the globe catering to drivers from novice to veteran, who are looking to make the next step in their careers. The 2025 Radical Cup North America championship features six rounds including three alongside IndyCar, with the opening round at Sebring, Feb 27-Mar 2. For more information visit radicalcupnorthamerica.com.
Photos by RTD Media/IMSA