The 2025 Circuit Excel Enduro marked the grand finale of our first season in the South Australian Motor Racing Championship. With an incredible 49 cars and 98 drivers entered from across Australia, the event was the largest single-make endurance race in the country. Unlike our regular sprint races, the Enduro features two and a half hours of racing, split into two halves for refuelling, with compulsory driver changes adding another level of strategy and teamwork. For this event, Cameron Quinn was joined by co-driver Lachlan, giving us two drivers behind the wheel of the #95 Hyundai Excel. After a long season of learning, racing and plenty of mechanical challenges, we were hoping to finish the year on a high. However, with nearly 50 identical race cars sharing the circuit, we knew that simply surviving the event would be an achievement in itself.
Before racing could begin, both drivers needed time behind the wheel to familiarise themselves with the car and compare their driving styles. Sharing a race car is an unusual experience, particularly when you're accustomed to being its only driver. While Cameron spent some time exploring the paddock and catching up with fellow competitors, Lachlan was out completing the final practice session. Unfortunately, his session came to an early end after a trip into the gravel trap left the Excel stranded and brought out the red flag. Thankfully, the car escaped without damage, and the team could turn its attention to preparing for qualifying. One of the biggest benefits of sharing the car was the opportunity to compare driving data. Despite setting lap times within a couple of tenths of each other, Cameron and Lachlan were finding their speed in different parts of the circuit. Analysing their braking points, corner speeds and exits provided a valuable opportunity for both drivers to learn from one another before the race.
Qualifying introduced another unique element to the Enduro. Under the event's alternate-driver format, the driver who qualified the car would not start the race. Cameron took responsibility for setting the team's qualifying time, which would determine where Lachlan lined up on the grid. After working through traffic and finding some clear space, Cameron was preparing to begin his flying lap when disaster struck. The gear shifter assembly broke, leaving the car without drive and stranded near the pit entry. After identifying the problem, Cameron managed to select third gear manually by pulling the cable and limp the car back to the pits. The crew from Excel Garage immediately jumped into action, replacing the damaged shifter assembly and carefully adjusting the cables and gear selection mechanisms. Against the odds, they managed to complete the repairs with just enough time for Cameron to return to the circuit. Unfortunately, the chequered flag came out moments before he could begin another flying lap. With no competitive qualifying time recorded, the team would start the Enduro from a disappointing 46th position.
Starting 46th in a field of 49 cars meant there was plenty of work ahead. Lachlan took the opening stint, with the added challenge of performing his first race start in the Excel. Despite some confusion with the grid formation delaying the start, he settled into the race and immediately began working his way through the field. With the team carefully monitoring his progress, Lachlan climbed towards the top 30 before handing the car over to Cameron during the first compulsory pit stop. The driver change went smoothly, allowing Cameron to rejoin the race and continue the recovery. A safety car later interrupted proceedings following a significant accident, but fortunately the driver involved was okay. Having already completed our compulsory stop, the timing worked in our favour, as competitors who had yet to pit would be forced to wait until racing resumed. With the field reorganised, Cameron continued battling through traffic and fighting for positions against some familiar Circuit Excel competitors. By the chequered flag, the team had recovered roughly 20 positions from its original starting place, setting up an exciting second half of the Enduro.
Following a short break to refuel and prepare the car, Cameron started the second half of the Enduro. Once again, the racing was intense. An early battle with Lisa Tatani proved particularly challenging, with her defensive driving making overtaking difficult despite our pace advantage. Cameron later found himself pushed off the circuit following contact with another competitor, losing valuable ground before fighting his way back into contention. As the race progressed, the team worked its way towards 25th position, with Cameron eventually opting to prioritise clean laps over costly battles before the final driver change. Lachlan returned to the car for the closing stint and continued making progress through the field. However, the final stages brought another series of challenges. A sudden handling issue left the car difficult to drive, forcing Lachlan to manage an apparent alignment problem while defending against the cars behind. Then, with only minutes remaining, the engine began cutting out as the fuel supply ran dangerously low. With the car struggling to maintain power and several competitors closing in, Lachlan somehow managed to nurse the Excel across the finish line. Against all the odds, Quinn Racing finished 18th overall, having started from 46th!
The 2025 Circuit Excel Enduro was the perfect way to conclude what had been an incredible first year of racing. From a broken gear shifter in qualifying to a remarkable 28-position recovery, the weekend highlighted just how important teamwork, preparation and determination are in endurance racing. A massive thank you goes to Lachlan for sharing the drive, and to the crew at Excel Garage for their incredible efforts keeping the car on track.
With 19 championship races, the Adelaide Rally and now the Enduro behind us, our rookie season had been an unforgettable learning experience. We've battled some incredibly talented drivers, overcome plenty of setbacks and made significant progress throughout the year.
None of this would have been possible without our fantastic sponsors and partners: Exo Terra, Aqua One, API Fish Care, Seaview Aquarium Centre, KJ Built, Peter Page Hyundai and AquaLabs. Their continued support, alongside everyone who has followed our journey, has made our first season possible.
With our rookie year officially complete, attention now turns to 2026. There's still plenty to learn, plenty of speed to find and a whole new season of racing ahead.
Thank you for being part of the journey. We'll see you on track in 2026!
