NP01 car makes UK debut in new series
The Sebeco NP01-EVO prototype made its UK race debut in the new Zeo Proto Series at Silverstone last weekend as part of a 15-car grid, and the US machine could form the basis of its own category in the future.
Fun Cup and former Britcar racer Jay Shepherd recently acquired the car and used the event as a shakedown, with plans for the NP01 to have its own UK series by 2023.
“We brought the car to a trackday last week not knowing what it was going to be like,” said Shepherd. “They run 50 cars in America. The car weighs 688 kilos and runs a standard two-litre Mazda engine. Overall, the package really does look the part and it drives really, really well. It’s 30% or 40% faster than a Fun Cup car and 20% slower than a Radical.”
Shepherd believes that the NP01 could prove to be an ideal first step into car racing for karting graduates. “It’s really good value for money, for us it’s £75,000 turnkey and ready to go,” he said.
“We will probably do two or threehour races to start with, but initially we are going with the Zeo Proto Series because that fits the bill. Ideally, if we can get a class running for 2023, we’ll have a transatlantic challenge, probably go over and race the Americans and they can come over here.”
Zeo Proto Series founder Duncan Williams, who was in action in his Norma LMP3 machine, was delighted with the variety of cars for the opening weekend, while also revealing plans for Praga to join the grid at the second round as well as an all-electric prototype in 2022.
“It’s just great to see all the different cars out,” said Williams. “The Radicals are always welcome and it’s also lovely to see the NP01 come and race with us – they will be welcome to have a series within our own, and we think Praga are going to come to the Brands Hatch round.”
The inaugural race was won by Matt Manderson in a Radical SR8 after holding off Williams for the 20-minute encounter. Issues for both Manderson and Williams on the opening lap of race two handed the lead to Mike Jenvey’s Jenvey-gunn TS6, which took a comfortable win.