Endurance racing is one of motorsport’s most gruelling tests, demanding skill, consistency, and resilience. For a seasoned professional, a 12-hour race is a monumental challenge. For a driver who has never competed in a car before, it’s a baptism by fire. This was the scenario facing State Karting Champion Tyson McGill at the 12hr Clippy Cup, and his performance was nothing short of extraordinary.

The opportunity arose when Ambition GP’s, Raymond Raaymakers, was presented with a last-minute seat. He immediately thought of Tyson, a young, lightning-fast karter from the country, whose diverse skills with machinery and champion’s mindset made him the perfect candidate. The challenge, offered by car owner Mike Elkington of Rampage Simulators, was immense – drive his Audi Quattro 1.8 Turbo in a 12-hour endurance race, a world away from the karting track.

There was no gentle introduction. Thrown directly into the deep end, Tyson’s first ever stint in a competition race car was a live fire learning experience. While grappling with a completely new environment and a floor-shifter for the first time, he initially lost a few positions as he cautiously found his footing.

But this is where the champion’s instinct took over. As the minutes ticked by, Tyson’s confidence surged. He began to master the car, his lap times tumbled, and by the end of his first hour long stint, often hitting speeds of 200kph, he had impressively reclaimed most of his lost grid spots.

As the day wore on, the team faced the harsh realities of endurance racing, with the Audi losing pace and requiring time consuming pit stops for repairs. Through it all, Tyson remained composed, completing two more hour-long stints with remarkable consistency and maturity beyond his years.

His performance did not go unnoticed. In the ultimate mark of respect, car owner Mike Elkington was so impressed with the rookie’s debut that he rewarded Tyson with the final, crucial stint to bring the Audi home to the chequered flag.

When asked what his favourite part of the gruelling 12-hour experience was, Tyson’s answer was simple, humble, and spoke volumes about his passion for racing.

“All of it!”

With a debut like that, the Australian motorsport community will be watching Tyson McGill very closely. He wasn’t just thrown in the deep end, he learned to swim in record time.