Launching NXT Gen Cup - The world's first 100% electric junior touring car cup

The world's first fully electric Junior Touring Car Cup will become reality in Sweden from 2023 through the NXT Gen Cup, creating sustainable and cost-effective entry-level racing for promising junior drivers of all genders.

"We're filling a crucial gap in the current world of motorsport for young talents with the NXT Gen Cup, utilising sustainable electric technology to find the future racing stars," said Fredrik Lestrup, co-founder of NXT Gen Cup.

The junior drivers will get to race the 230hp LRT NXT1 race car - based on the electric MINI Cooper SE road car - in an "arrive and drive" setup to a cost of just 45.500€ for a full season in the one-make cup. 

The LRT NXT1 race car will be officially unveiled during the STCC weekend at Knutstorp in Sweden on July 22-23.

The drivers will race for the official Swedish Junior Racing Title, as well financial support for a drive in the 100% electric 2024 STCC season, creating a viable and sustainable career ladder that does not require extraordinary financial resources.

To further strengthen the career ladder, the NXT Gen SimRacing Cup will be launched this winter where the 2022 champion will race virtually for a fully paid drive in the 2023 NXT Gen Cup season.

“The NXT Gen Cup is not only about the racing on track, but also about educating the young talents in how you actually create a professional racing career in terms of media and sponsor relations, economics, race engineering and a lot more,” said Fredrik Lestrup, co-founder of NXT Gen Cup.

“I’ve gone the very same route through junior racing myself and I know what challenges these young talents will go through. NXT Gen Cup will provide them with solid tools to take their most important step forward in their career.”

The NXT Gen Cup will be broadcast on TV and social media with English commentary, with further details to be revealed in due course.

The cup will run alongside the 2023 all-electric Scandinavian Touring Car Championship as a support class on challenging Swedish circuits - including the all-new Helsingborg street race, an event made possible by the electrification of the two championships.

Construction of the LRT NXT1 race car, as well as the complete running of the NXT Gen Cup is done by the Swedish outfit Lestrup Racing Team - the 2020 STCC drivers' and teams' champions - in a close cooperation with ABB E-mobilty, the official charging partner of the cup.

Entries for the 2023 NXT Gen Cup have opened, and drivers can apply for interest here.

Further information about the NXT Gen Cup will be revealed throughout the final half of 2023, read more here.