The RX8 Cup Series kicked off season 2025 in spectacular fashion marking their fifth visit to the iconic Phillip Island circuit, with perfect weather setting the stage for an exhilarating weekend of racing. An awesome field of 19 cars would hit the track for Qualifying including seasoned veterans and many promising newcomers to the series.
It was the South African debutant Stiaan Kriel who claimed his maiden Revolution Racegear Pole Position setting a time of a 1:51.5. 2024 Champion Robert Scott locked out the front row 0.856 behind Kriel with Victorian Jett Blumeris in 3rd. Grant Bray was 4th fastest, with David Grice and new comer Jason Humble rounding out the top 6.
Race 1 of the weekend was off to an eventful start with Pole sitter Stiaan Kriel given a 5 second penalty for being outside his grid box. Tom Donohue was lucky to avoid contact with multiple cars after a brake issue into turn 4 on the first lap but managed to pull the car up on the grass. Jackson Noakes got to work after qualifying in 9th making a charge through to the top 5. Max Wilson was biggest mover in field after missing qualifying due to a gearbox change, Wilson started from the rear and made up an impressive 8 positions. Jett Blumeris and Robert Scott had a brilliant battle for second spot with Blumeris coming out on top after making his way past the reigning champion late in the race. Another one to watch was Manarth Prasad who came home with his PB finish of 9th. The 5 second penalty was no issue for Kriel who took home his maiden RX8 Cup win.
Race 2 on Sunday morning unfortunately saw some competitors face car issues. Newcomer to the series Steven King saw his weekend come to an end doing a motor and gearbox, Grant Bray had an off track excursion picking up some damage on an access road launching the car in the air and Manarth Prasad struggled with brake issues. Bailey Scott started from the rear in this race after a failure in race 1 and managed to pick up a huge 11 spots with one of his best races in the Cup Series. Donohue would overcome those brake issues in the first race and gain 6 positions. Noakes and Humble would have an awesome battle swapping spots lap after lap with Noakes coming home 4th. Kriel would make it two from two controlling the race from the get go.
Stiaan Kriel got the jump in the third race and would show some series cold tyre pace. Local Victorian driver Glen Gamble picked up his personal best finish making up 4 spots to 8th. The biggest mover would be Grant Bray with a magnificent drive from the rear gaining 11 positions to 7th. The top 4 would again remain the same with Kriel securing another commanding win over Blumeris, Scott and Noakes. The returning Aaron Hills collected his first top 5 finish of the weekend. Maisie Place and John Freeland continued to hustle for position displaying some awesome close racing.
The final race of the weekend didn’t get off to the best start for Robert Scott who struggled off the line with Jackson Noakes and Aaron Hills battling for 3rd position. The hard charging Robert Scott showed some great pace passing Hills then chasing down Noakes lap after lap eventually making the move into turn 1. Grant Bray worked his way back into the top 5 finishing the weekend off strong. Robert Leonard and David Grice unfortunately had a coming together at Lukey Heights with Leonard having to visit pit lane removing some loose plastic. Ronin Lidenmayer had a strong performance in his first race weekend as did Freeland with his first top 10 result. It would be the South African who clean swept the weekend with Pole Position and four from four race wins for Stiaan Kriel showcasing some unreal talent behind the wheel of the #83 Maisie Place Motorsport entry.
Round 1 at Phillip Island was a brilliant start to the 2025 season with many top performances and drivers brining home personal best results. Congratulations to Stiaan Kriel for winning on debut, Jett Blumeris with a solid 2nd place finish and Robert Scott started his title defence strong claiming 3rd for the weekend. Thanks to our partners Scott Property Group for their support in 2025.
RX8 Cup Series Points 2025
1st – Stiaan Kriel 121 points
2nd – Jett Blumeris 112 points
3rd – Robert Scott 104 points
4th – Jackson Noakes 94 points
5th – Aaron Hills 76 Points
