The NXT Gen Cup: A New Era of Sustainable Racing with Electric MINIs

Source: IG sebastiaanjansonphoto

Little MINIs battling it out on the race track? Sounds exciting, I am in!

This innovative series is called the NXT Gen Cup, as previously already shortly mentioned here. Let me tell you some more about it and why you should tune into it.

What Is the NXT Gen Cup?

The NXT Gen Cup is an exciting all-electric junior touring car championship featuring 16 young drivers, both male and female, aged 15 to 26. As the season progresses, you’ll see even more action, with the number of cars now increasing to 18 cars, thanks to the addition of a new driver and a guest racer joining the series.

This season, the NXT Gen Cup serves as a support series for the DTM championship. After a thrilling season debut at the Norisring in July, the junior racers will take on the iconic Nürburgring from August 16-18. 2024.

NXT Gen Cup Cars: The LRT NXT1 Electric MINI

One of the main attractions of the NXT Gen Cup is the LRT NXT1, an electric racing car. These cars can reach a top speed of 180 km/h and deliver up to 230 horsepower. During the races, drivers can also activate a push-to-pass system that provides an additional 60 horsepower for short bursts of speed, adding a layer of strategy to the competition.

The cars are equipped with a 30 kWh battery and are 100% front-wheel drive. From the outside, they may look like regular MINI road cars, but inside, they are fully prepped for racing, completed with safety features like roll cages to protect drivers in case of an accident.

Fair Competition in NXT Gen Cup Racing

To ensure a level playing field, the NXT Gen Cup features a unique system where cars are assigned to drivers through a raffle before each race weekend. This approach eliminates any potential advantage or disadvantage related to car performance, making the racing purely about driver skill.

Why Is the NXT Gen Cup So Exciting?

I can confidently say that the NXT Gen Cup has delivered some of the most exciting racing I’ve witnessed this year. The races have been action-packed with numerous overtakes, and the finish of the very first race was even so close that it nearly required a photo-finish! The combination of electric MINI cars, young talent, and intense competition makes this series a must-watch for any racing fan who wants an action-packed and relatively short race.

How to Watch NXT Gen Cup Races

Another positive aspect of the NXT Gen Cup is that the races are accessible to everyone. You don't need a subscription to watch the action—all races are available for free on YouTube. If you missed the previous events, you can catch up on the four thrilling races from July, which are still accessible online. Simply head to YouTube and experience the excitement of this unique series.