Learning to race is a fascinating journey. When you first start, every session brings massive improvements, and you can find yourself shaving seconds off your lap times with relatively little effort. However, as you become more experienced, those improvements become increasingly difficult to find. There's a concept known as the four stages of competence, which describes how we progress from being unaware of our mistakes to performing complex skills almost instinctively. As a driver entering my second season of Circuit Excel, I still find myself somewhere between conscious incompetence and conscious competence. I can often recognise what I'm doing wrong, and sometimes I know exactly what I need to do to improve, but consistently executing those skills is another challenge entirely. Round 2 of the 2026 South Australian Motor Racing Championship at The Bend Motorsport Park would prove to be a perfect example. With a significantly improved car thanks to the team at Excel Garage, we were hoping to build on our strong opening round. Unfortunately, between unpredictable weather, mechanical problems and some questionable decisions behind the wheel, we were about to discover that knowing what to do and actually doing it are two very different things.
Following a long stretch of wet-weather racing, we once again found ourselves preparing for qualifying on a damp circuit. While we've become increasingly comfortable driving in the rain, the unpredictable conditions still make putting together a competitive lap particularly challenging. After establishing a reasonable opening time, we were preparing to push harder when Cooper Harris found himself stranded in the gravel at the final corner, bringing out the red flag. With our qualifying sessions running to a fixed time, the interruption left us with just enough time for one final flying lap. As the circuit continued drying, we knew everyone would be improving, making that last opportunity particularly important. Unfortunately, our attempts to find some clear track space didn't go to plan. After allowing room for another competitor ahead, we found ourselves overtaken by cars on the out-lap, only for one of them to spin directly in front of us just as we began our flying lap. Within three corners, we'd already lost approximately two seconds, effectively ruining our final qualifying attempt. It was a frustrating way to start the weekend, but with three races still ahead and a car that was finally handling well, there were plenty of opportunities to recover.
Despite starting further back than we'd hoped, Race One began positively. We made a strong launch and immediately gained positions through the opening corners before settling into an intense battle with Cooper Harris, Braiden Colwil and Dylan Cooper. The improved suspension setup was making a noticeable difference, allowing us to carry more speed through corners and remain competitive with drivers we'd previously struggled to keep up with. However, another issue was developing. Every time Cameron applied the brakes, the left rear tyre would lock, producing clouds of smoke and significantly reducing confidence under braking. Initially, we'd suspected a brake bias adjustment problem, but it was becoming increasingly obvious that something wasn't right mechanically. Despite this, we continued fighting through the field, trading positions and using the slipstream to stay attached to the pack. The racing became particularly intense when Elliot Redwood joined the battle, with the two of us making contact on several occasions. One particularly unfortunate encounter damaged our headlight, while another strong impact struck the right rear of the Excel. To make matters worse, the steering wheel itself began coming loose, with the mounting bolts gradually unwinding during the race! Somehow, we managed to make it to the finish, but the left rear tyre was completely destroyed. Back in the garage, the team discovered that the right rear brake wasn't receiving proper hydraulic pressure, leaving the left rear doing far too much of the work. With repairs underway and another tyre required, we turned our attention towards Race Two.
With the brakes inspected and a fresh tyre fitted, we headed into Race Two hoping for a cleaner run. Unfortunately, the opening laps were every bit as competitive as the first race. Dylan Cooper made an excellent start, while Brodi Dominic quickly worked his way through the field. Rather than getting caught up fighting drivers outside our immediate championship battle, we focused on the competitors we needed to beat, particularly Elliot Redwood. After pressuring Elliot through the final sector, we used the aerodynamic side draft along the main straight to gain an advantage and complete the overtake into Turn 1. However, the braking issue soon returned, with the left rear wheel continuing to lock under braking despite the team's earlier work. As the race progressed, we found ourselves caught in another enormous battle, including an uncomfortable three-wide moment involving Cooper Harris and Dylan Cooper. Thankfully, we managed to avoid contact as the two Coopers came together ahead of us. With the race settling down, we set our sights on Tyler Craig further up the road. Putting together several strong laps, we gradually closed the gap before making our move in the closing stages. We managed to hold the position through to the chequered flag, earning another useful haul of championship points. Unfortunately, the result came at a cost. Our left rear tyre was once again destroyed, worn right down to the canvas. Despite stripping down and inspecting the rear braking system, the team couldn't identify a complete solution. With our tyre supply exhausted, fellow team member Shane generously lent us a replacement, while we wound the brake bias heavily towards the front as a temporary measure to protect the remaining tyres.
Our third and final race presented another opportunity to collect valuable championship points, but it would also become one of the most frustrating races of the weekend. After another competitive start, we found ourselves battling familiar rivals, including Elliot Redwood and fellow Excel Garage driver Jackson Silwood. Jackson was showing impressive pace, and before long we were locked in a closely matched fight for position. This presented an important strategic decision. With both cars running similar lap times, we could work together using the slipstream to escape the chasing pack, or fight over every corner and risk slowing each other down. The smarter option was obvious, but convincing ourselves to stop defending positions proved considerably harder. Our constant battling eventually allowed Dylan Cooper and Tyler Craig to close the gap, turning what could have been a two-car contest into a much larger fight. As the intensity increased, we found ourselves side by side with Tyler through the technical section of the circuit. Both drivers committed to their lines, but our trajectories overlapped and we made contact. The situation became significantly worse when the different wheel designs interlocked, violently pulling the steering wheels from our hands and sending both cars off the circuit together. Thankfully, neither of us was injured, and we were able to continue. Looking back at the footage, it was clear that we'd created a situation where one of us needed to concede the corner, but neither driver wanted to back out. Tyler came over to apologise afterwards, despite the incident not being entirely his fault, and we were able to discuss what had happened. It was a disappointing end to the weekend, but an important lesson in judgment, patience and knowing when a battle simply isn't worth the risk.
Round 2 of the 2026 South Australian Motor Racing Championship was another valuable step in our development as a racing team.
On one hand, there were plenty of positives. The car was significantly more competitive than it had been during our rookie season, and we were regularly finding ourselves involved in battles with experienced drivers throughout the field. The improvements made by Excel Garage had given us a much stronger platform, and our pace was continuing to develop.
However, the weekend also highlighted how much there is still to learn.
The persistent braking problem cost us two tyres and made it difficult to drive confidently, while our decision-making during Race Three ultimately contributed to an avoidable collision.
It's one thing to understand the theory of racecraft. Knowing when to defend, when to attack and when to work with another competitor is relatively straightforward when you're watching footage afterwards. Making those decisions in real time, with another car alongside you at full speed, is considerably more challenging.
Despite the frustrating conclusion, we finished the round sitting 7th in the championship standings. Without the final-race incident, we potentially could have been as high as fifth, but motorsport rarely works out exactly as planned.
A huge thank you to the Excel Garage crew for their hard work throughout the event, particularly while chasing our mysterious braking problem, and to Shane for lending us a tyre when we'd exhausted our own supply. We'd also like to thank our sponsors, supporters and everyone who continues to follow the Quinn Racing journey.
With two rounds of the championship completed, we're continuing to make progress, both in the performance of the car and in our development behind the wheel.
The hardest part of becoming a better racing driver isn't always learning what to do. Sometimes, it's learning when not to do it.
