09/06/2026
# # Long post warning # #
🏁HYP51 Racing 2026 Winter National Runner-Up🏁
What a roller coaster of emotions this weekend produced!
Our goal was to qualify in the top five, and we achieved that with a car that had been incredibly consistent over the previous four meetings. While excited to be competing at the biggest event of the year, round one quickly turned into a nightmare when the transmission failed after the car moved only a few metres from the start line. Although we were still in thanks to a red light from our opponent, it felt like the Winter Nationals curse had struck again!
Back in the pits, the support from our racing family was nothing short of incredible. Friends and some fellow competitors jumped in and offered any help we needed. Luke Tye our regular crew member generously offered the transmission from his own car. Jay and Luke removed the transmission from Lukes’s car and we all worked late into the night fitting the replacement and checking over the rest of the driveline. By 11pm the job was done, and after only a few hours' sleep we were back at the track the next morning ready for round two.
After such a huge effort, all I wanted was a green light. If we lost, it certainly wouldn't be for a lack of trying.
As it turned out, fortune finally swung our way. Our second-round opponent was unable to make the call, giving us a solo run into the semi-finals and a chance to test the borrowed transmission. We then defeated the number four qualifier to earn a place in the final.
Heading into the final, we added a little more power to compensate for the reduced drive output from the transmission and converter as the data was showing a lack of drive resulting in approx. 4-5 tenths slower down the track. Unfortunately, on the start line the car suffered a small nitrous backfire, and I watched our opponent drive away with the win.
I eventually restarted the car and ran a representative pass, which confirmed what we already suspected—we wouldn't have won the final anyway, given the reduced performance from the mighty Gemini.
Despite that, we're incredibly proud to finish runner-up and hold that Silver Tree! In all previous attempts we’ve never been past 2nd rnd making this result even more special.
We’ll be forever grateful to Luke for giving up his transmission so we could keep racing, to Jay and Dad for their tireless effort and support, and to Dan Case and everyone else who offered help throughout the weekend.
This result wasn't just about making the final—it was about the people who helped us get there. After everything that happened, a runner-up finish at the biggest event of the year is something we're extremely proud of. #
