Behind the Scenes: Jonty's Journey from Supercar Driver to Racing Driver

While that moment certainly grabbed attention, what I'm most excited to share is the experience leading up to it—the part that didn’t make it onto TV but you can check it out on our latest YouTube video here.

The Friday test day was a game-changer for me. With a newly moulded seat and coaching from Michael Lyons, I managed to shave precious seconds off my lap times. I felt ready for qualifying, and fortunately the weather on Saturday was on my side. As I pushed through each corner with precision, I managed to secure a 9th place qualifying position, and it was then that the dream of becoming a racing driver started to feel very real. The anticipation built as the impending race approached, and before I knew it, I was lining up for my very first race start.

The excitement was palpable as I lined up on the Melbourne Loop, waiting for the Porsche Cup Cars to finish. As we moved off to the grid, the only thought running through my mind was, "Don't stall it!" Thankfully, I didn't, and soon we were off, weaving around the circuit to warm up the tyres. Unlike many sprint races you see televised, there is no grid start but a rolling start so when the lights turned green, it was go time and full throttle!

Like any Rookie Racer I took a cautious approach into the first corner, giving up a few places to cars I was confident I could catch later in the race. My focus shifted to making my way back up through the pack, learning a little more racecraft with every lap. By lap2 I found myself having a friendly tussle with James Pinkerton, Radicals test driver and 2018 SR1 Cup Champion. Despite James' undeniable speed and skill, I wasn't going to give up my position easily. I defended my line for a few laps until a slight mistake on my part allowed him to slip past. But I wasn’t deterred—instead, I used his expert racecraft to help me navigate my way back up the field.

As an opportunity arose, I seized it, shooting down the inside something unexpected happened, the driver didn’t let me pass. Whether the driver had something in his eye or was trying an unusual racing line, I found myself flung onto the grass. Quick dip of the clutch, I recovered from the spin and rejoined the race, several seconds behind (top tip for in driving a Radical be quick on the clutch if you spin!).

I wasn't done yet. Spotting my rival again, I engaged in a five-lap battle that was nothing short of exhilarating. The adrenaline was surging as we went wheel-to-wheel, side-by-side, with mere millimetres between us. Eventually, after a fierce fight, I managed to pull ahead, securing the position. The emotions hit me hard—I was ecstatic, but I quickly refocused, determined to hunt down more positions.

Though there weren't enough laps left to make a significant comeback, I didn’t mind. The sheer thrill of the race made it all worthwhile. As the checkered flag dropped, I spotted fellow Supercar Driver member Lee Jackson just ahead. I kept the pedal down a bit longer to catch up and cross the line side by side, soaking in the crowd's reaction and waving to the marshals who kept us safe. The sense of accomplishment was indescribable.

In Parc Ferme, Lee was the first to greet me, clearly more adept at climbing out of a Radical than I was! Shortly followed by fellow Supercar Driver member John Hewitt. We shared a handshake and a hug, celebrating the pure elation of finishing the race, even as we ignored the new battle scars on my car. This camaraderie was something I sorely missed after my early exit in Race 2 and something I will cherish for years to come.

Speaking of Race 2, I was determined not to repeat my earlier mistakes. I gained a spot around the outside of Turn 1, but things quickly went awry as I found myself giving Donington Park a quick mow instead of reaching the second corner. As a tractor towed me back to the paddock, the dread of potential repair costs and sheer embarrassment set in. To my surprise, the Radical team took it in their stride, laughing off the incident and I thoroughly enjoyed the cheers of the crowd during my ‘parade lap’. In the racing world, a little off-track excursion is par for the course, and the repair bill was far more manageable than the supercar expenses I’m accustomed to.

As I look back on the experience, it’s not the crash that stands out, but the incredible journey leading up to it and the people I shared it with along the way. I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Jon, Megan, Nicole and the Radical team for this incredible opportunity, the Development team who worked tirelessly throughout my journey (sorry for returning it in less than pristine condition) and of course Adam and the Supercar Driver team who behind the scenes pulled this together and kept it a secret for months.

Following on from my first video ‘My Boss Surprised Me with a race car’, check out part two where you can see behind the scenes the highs and lows of my first race weekend, it may not have been a podium finish but it definitely brought the camaraderie.