Fun Cup: The competition where amateurs and pros meet

Created in 1997 in Belgium by Franz Dubois, the VW Fun Cup is a competition designed to make endurance racing accessible to everyone. Its concept is simple: identical cars for all, a friendly format, and races where amateurs and experienced drivers race side by side 🙂

Behind its design inspired by the Volkswagen Beetle, the Fun Cup hides a true race car: tubular chassis, mid-engine, sequential gearbox… Everything is designed to ensure performance, reliability, and driving pleasure.

But its success is mainly based on its format: long races with multiple drivers per car, where strategy and relay management matter just as much as raw speed.

With championships organized in France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, the Fun Cup attracts hundreds of participants each year, whether they are there for a single race or a full season. Its accessible approach and competitive yet friendly spirit make it a unique discipline in motorsport 👍

The Fun Cup: A Beetle Built for Racing

While the Fun Cup retains the iconic lines of the Volkswagen Beetle, it has nothing in common with a production car anymore. Specifically designed for racing, it is built on a tubular chassis and integrates competition-grade components to ensure performance and endurance 💪

Technical Specifications - Fun Cup Evo3

• Chassis: Tubular with integrated roll cage
• Body: Polyester, in three monobloc elements
• Engine: Volkswagen 2.0L naturally aspirated, approximately 175 hp at 6,000 rpm
• Transmission: Rear-wheel drive. SADEV 5-speed sequential gearbox
• Weight: 750 kg empty
• Suspension: McPherson front and rear, adjustable in height and geometry
• Brakes: 4 ventilated disc brakes with adjustable brake balance
• Tires: Standard Hankook
• Fuel Tank: Approximately 45 liters, compliant with FT3/FIA standards

Extremely reliable thanks to the 2L FSI engine and SADEV sequential gearbox, the Fun Cup is built to lap the track non-stop. But what makes it special is its playful character! With 175 hp and a lightweight chassis, it delivers great performance while guaranteeing thrilling sensations behind the wheel. Its rear-wheel-drive balance and agility make it a car that is both fun and high-performing 😋

With its standard tires and stripped-down cockpit, the Fun Cup offers a pure driving experience, without electronic aids apart from power steering. Every brake application, every corner, every acceleration is a raw and authentic experience, demanding total driver engagement 👌

The Different Evolutions of the Fun Cup

Since its creation, the Fun Cup has undergone several evolutions.

• Evo 1: 1.8L gasoline engine, H-pattern 5-speed gearbox, 130 hp, 760 kg.
• Evo 2: In 2009, switched to a 1.9L TDI engine, 160 hp, 800 kg, still with an H-pattern gearbox.
• Evo 3 (current): 2.0L FSI gasoline engine, 175 hp, 750 kg, switched to a sequential gearbox.

Over the years, the Fun Cup has improved in performance and reliability, but these enhancements have also increased costs. The Evo 3 version is much more capable but also more expensive: its price has more than doubled compared to a brand-new Evo 1 back in the day. Its running costs are also higher, a direct result of mechanical and technological advancements 😕

Vintage, Retro… The Return of Older Generations to Competition

To encourage diversity and allow older generations of Fun Cup cars to return to the track, a dedicated classification has recently been introduced. Now, Evo 1 and Evo 2 models are included in the Vintage and Retro categories, enabling them to compete with separate rankings 👏

This initiative aims to make competition more accessible for those who want to race older cars and to give a second life to the first generations of Fun Cup while maintaining a competitive and varied grid 😎

Championships and Key Races

The Fun Cup is an international competition, present in several European countries, each with its own national championship:

• Fun Cup France: Organized by M3 (Max Mamers Management), with races on circuits such as Le Mans, Magny-Cours, and Dijon. Most race weekends are shared with the Ligier JS Cup France.
• European Fun Cup in Belgium: Managed by Kronos Events, featuring races at Spa-Francorchamps, Zolder, and other European circuits like Zandvoort and Valencia.
• Fun Cup Endurance Championship in the UK: With races at Silverstone, Brands Hatch, and more. The Fun Cup UK championship is organized by JPR Group, founded by Paul Rose, who is also the Championship Director of Fun Cup UK.

Fun Cup - 2025 Calendars

Some races have become must-attend events 🤩

• The 25 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps: The flagship event of the Fun Cup, the longest endurance race in the championship, featuring over 120 cars on the starting grid each year and an incredible atmosphere.
• Le Mans as a 24 Hours Curtain-Raiser: For several years, the Fun Cup had the opportunity to race on this legendary circuit as part of the opening events for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

How to Start and Discover the Fun Cup?

Participate in a Driving Course

ℹ️ Before jumping straight into a race, it is possible to discover the car through driving courses or leisure track days organized by teams.

• Why take a course? To get familiar with the car, learn the basics of circuit driving, practice relay changes, and manage race pace.
• Where can you do it? Circuits like Circuit du Laquais offer team relays in Fun Cup. Teams such as Michael Mazuin Sport, ALRacing, Comtoyou Racing, and Team Pole Position 81 offer track sessions with coaching in two-seater models.
• How much does it cost? On average, expect around €500 for 1 hour of driving.

Buying or Renting a Fun Cup

One of the major advantages of the Fun Cup is its affordability compared to other motorsport disciplines. Whether purchasing or renting, the financial costs remain reasonable for a race car capable of running on the most famous circuits and competing in endurance races 😉

How Much Does a Fun Cup Cost?

A brand-new Fun Cup, ready to race, costs around €70,000 (excl. VAT) for an Evo 3. You need to add approximately €2,000 (excl. VAT) for a two-seater model 💸

ℹ️ Since 2012, the Belgian company W Racing Team (WRT) has been the sole manufacturer of new Fun Cup cars.

However, it is important to anticipate running costs such as maintenance, consumables (tires, brakes, fuel), and logistics, including transport and race entry fees. Options can also increase the bill: powerboard, steering wheel buttons, dashboard, power steering, paddle shifters…

For a more limited budget, you can opt for a used Fun Cup, with prices ranging from €18,000 for an Evo 1 to €40,000-50,000 (excl. VAT) for an Evo 3, depending on the car's condition and history.

If you're looking for a car, feel free to check the Fun Cup listings for sale or rent on the website.

What is the Budget for Renting a Fun Cup?

Renting is a very popular alternative, allowing drivers to race without worrying about maintenance or logistics.

Many teams offer turnkey packages, including the car, mechanical support, and sometimes even coaching. The average cost for a race weekend is around €5,000 to €7,000 (excl. VAT) per driver, based on three drivers per car. Prices vary depending on the team and the specific race, considering travel expenses and other factors.

Some events, like the 25 Hours of Spa, have higher costs due to the race duration and logistical expenses. One of the major advantages of renting is that it allows drivers to experience competition without the hassle of managing a race car daily. You just need to show up at the track, hop in the car, and drive 😎

How to Register for a Race?

To participate in a Fun Cup race, you need a racing license (FFSA in France, RACB in Belgium, Motorsport UK in the United Kingdom) and complete FIA-approved racing gear. Then, you either need to own a Fun Cup or rent one from a team offering a turnkey package.

One of the strengths of the Fun Cup is its accessibility: whether for a single race or a full season, the endurance format and shared driving allow racers of all levels to join the grid, with costs split between teammates. Strategy, consistency, and teamwork are just as important as pure performance.

What is the Race Format?

Fun Cup races are based on endurance. On average, races last 8 hours, with up to 6 drivers taking turns behind the wheel of a single car. Pit stops are crucial and must follow specific timing windows, but there is no minimum stop duration, allowing for various strategies.

Each race features between 60 and 90 cars, with drivers of all skill levels, ensuring battles at every stage of the field. The highlight of the championship remains the 25 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, a legendary race that can see up to 120 cars on the starting grid, offering a unique spectacle.

In Belgium, to reduce costs, races are now capped at 8 hours maximum, except for the 25H of Spa, and the calendar has been reduced to 6 races. This measure helps lower the budget for a full season.

In France, the calendar includes 10 races, with 3 non-championship events. In the UK, the championship consists of 7 races.

Live Timing – Fun Cup

You can follow live timing and real-time race results via these links:

• Fun Cup France and Fun Cup Belgium
• Fun Cup UK

What is the Atmosphere Like in the Championship?

The Fun Cup is, above all, a competition driven by passion and camaraderie. Unlike more elitist disciplines, there are no world champions or toxic rivalries here. Drivers, whether amateurs or experienced racers, share a love for racing and adrenaline in an accessible and friendly environment 🤝

Also worth checking out: "Lamera Cup: The Race for All"

But make no mistake, the competition is real. While the paddock atmosphere is relaxed, once on track, the intensity rises. Battles happen at every level of the field, and drivers must push hard to aim for victory, especially in flagship events like the 25 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, where nearly 120 cars line up on the grid. With one of the largest fields in Europe, every race is a true spectacle 🥳

This unique blend of intense competition and camaraderie makes the Fun Cup a one-of-a-kind experience, where drivers come not only for the thrill of racing but also to share unforgettable moments with fellow enthusiasts.

Onboard Camera in Fun Cup: It Gets Intense!

Conclusion

The Fun Cup is more than just a one-make championship; it is the perfect gateway into endurance racing. Its accessibility, team spirit, and legendary events like the 25H of Spa make it a unique experience.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced racer, the Fun Cup delivers the thrill of racing without excessive constraints. Once you've tasted the adrenaline of relay driving and intense on-track battles, it's hard not to come back! 😁