Race report · 5 April 2026
A childhood dream, and a class win at Bathurst
Ian's childhood dream was to race at Mount Panorama. In our first year of Excel racing, we got there, and won the Masters class.
Ever since he was a kid, Ian dreamed of one day racing at Mount Panorama. In April 2026, in our very first year of Excel racing, that dream came true, and car 50 brought home the Masters class win at the Bathurst Excel Challenge.
The turning point
Late in 2025 we bought Freddy, the Hyundai Excel X3 that became car 50. In that moment everything changed. There were curveballs along the way, and at times it felt like the odds were stacked against us. Those challenges turned out to be the making of the team.
Earning a place on the grid
The Excel Challenge is a 42-car support race at the Bathurst 6 Hour, and it's usually invitation only. Drivers need at least a Motorsport Australia Clubman Circuit licence, membership of a CERA-affiliated state car club, and plenty of circuit racing experience before they tackle the Mountain.
As first-year Excel racers, we needed that experience fast. So we raced three rounds in five weeks:
Queensland Raceway, Ipswich: 28 Feb to 1 Mar
Shell V-Power Motorsport Park at The Bend, SA: 21 to 22 Mar
Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick: 28 to 29 Mar
Those weekends gave Ian the experience he needed to be accepted, and upgraded his licence from provisional to a full circuit licence.
Race weekend, 3 to 5 April
Car 50 rolled out at Mount Panorama with the whole crew behind it.
Masters class results
1st: Ian McMah
2nd: Shannon Williams
3rd: Boyd Simpson
A huge thank you to the crew, our families and every partner who helped get Freddy to the Mountain. This one is for all of you.
