New Kids on the Block: Cirillo & Allan Set for RCA Debut in 2025 Mar 28, 2025
Arise Racing is excited to welcome Mark Cirillo and Dave Allan to the 2025 First Focus Radical Cup Australia (RCA) season, as they prepare to make their racing debut in the highly competitive championship. The duo will share the #527 car, bringing fresh energy and determination to the grid.
For Mark Cirillo, the 2025 season marks his first-ever competitive racing campaign, making it a year full of learning experiences and new challenges. “This will be my first season in competitive racing, so I’m really looking forward to the experience,” Cirillo said. “Getting to drive on some of the best tracks around Australia is something I’m really excited about.”
Cirillo will take on some of Australia’s most iconic circuits, including Phillip Island, Sydney Motorsport Park, Queensland Raceway, The Bend, and Sandown, which makes its RCA debut this year. “I’m excited, but I would’ve liked to have a go at Bathurst as well – hopefully next year!” he added.
Cirillo’s goals for his rookie season are focused on skill development and track learning, with an emphasis on braking structure and increasing corner speed. When asked what it will take to be competitive in the championship, his response was straightforward: “A miracle!” he joked.
Meanwhile, Dave Allan is equally eager to test himself in the RCA field and believes that the Arise Racing environment provides the perfect platform for growth. “It’s an excellent opportunity to test and improve my driving and racing skills,” he said. “Everything is there – quality cars, professional support, top-level coaching – so it all comes down to using the resources available and learning.”
Allan is looking forward to sharing the car with Cirillo and making the most of the experience. “Mark’s a talented driver and a strong competitor, so I’m really looking forward to having some fun with him,” he said. “Hopefully, we have some success here and there.”
While Allan has driven on Phillip Island, The Bend, and Sandown, he acknowledges that racing in a Radical will be an entirely new challenge. “They’re quite different to drive, so I suspect every track will feel new,” he noted.
Both drivers recognize the level of competition in RCA, with Allan highlighting the tight field and experienced grid as key challenges. “From what I understand, it’s a big field with a heap of experience, so consistency will be really important,” he said.
For Allan, corner speed and aerodynamics will be the biggest technical focus throughout the season. “The biggest difference with other race cars is the aero load through the corners – you can just throw them in so much faster. That feels quite foreign, so I think corner speed will be the main area I need to focus on,” he explained.
When asked to describe his racing style, Allan humorously responded: “Try and do what I’m told” – a nod to the guidance from his driver coach. Cirillo, on the other hand, kept it simple: “Slow.”
Off the track, both drivers use sim racing to stay sharp – Cirillo when he can find the time, and Allan while competing with his 10-year-old son for seat time.
With a fresh perspective, a hunger to improve, and the support of Arise Racing, Cirillo and Allan are ready to take on the challenge of the 2025 Radical Cup Australia season. As they embark on their debut campaign, expect to see steady progress, determination, and perhaps a few surprises along the way.
Stay tuned as the countdown to the 2025 RCA season continues!