26/05/2026
2026 Erebus Motorsport Race For Ralph Race Report
I wouldn't let anyone know, but when the teams couldn't hear me over the rain during the driver's briefing I really thought we may not get on track today.
However, patience won the day and we got the full 4 hour race in. The heavy rain patch saw the planned shootout qualifying cancelled, while an early issue for the Lucky Bears kart saw the Reece HVAC team move into the spare kart for the duration. Unfortunately, laps completed in the spare kart don't count to your total, or this may well have challenged for the win. As it was, they finished as the Honorable Mentions in Class B.
3rd in Class B was the Team Ryder kart, given we provided this kart to Alan as an opportunity to have fun for a day, this objective was absolutely achieved. The bright yellow and black couldn't be missed, and we are just glad they had a ball.
3rd in Class A was last year's uber reliable Fire Service Plus kart. The kart must have used up all the luck last year, as it faced seemingly relentless issues for the first half of the race. It still showed plenty of speed, taking home the Fastest Lap of the race
2nd in Class B was the Southern Rise Bakery team. Another previously super reliable kart that struggled today, but still bringing home 2nd. If their history of 2nd, 1st and 2nd is anything to go by, they'll be a force to be reckoned with in 2027!
2nd in Class A was CS AIR. They've now stood on every step of the podium 1st in 2024, 3rd in 2025 and 2nd in 2026. Showed plenty of speed, but lost too much time with a clutch issue to stay in contention.
1st in Class B was Shoalhaven Signs! Last year this kart barely turned a lap. This year it barely skipped a beat. Quickest in Class B, they showed speed at the right times, patience at others and took home the trophy! A.fine reward for the faith shown after a challenging 2025.
1st in Class A was the Bear Cottage Superhero Week team. Last year it was undrivable, almost spending more time in the weeds than on track. One fresh axle later, it was unbeatable. From Zero to Superhero. I REALLY wanted to win it for Ralph, in the year he was the face of Superhero Week at Bear Cottage.
I love Ralph, my family and karting. It's a blessing to be able to put this event on to support Ralph while getting on track and doing some very special things along the way. Our magnificent and generous sponsors make this event worthwhile, without them.it simply would not exist.
To the volunteers, thank you all so much. I appreciate each and every one of you, and every little thing you do. Behind the scenes, the lead in this year was tough, very tough. Of our mechanical helpers, one was booked for surgery today, one is currently in the UK and one fell sick Sunday. So a huge thank you to Andy Ireland and Phil Neal who did a stellar job repairing karts and keeping them on track. They can be such temperamental things, and I had thought of postponing the event with a less than favourable forecast and so much help on the sidelines. But again, thanks so much to these guys for stepping up, allowing me to drive the Superhero Week kart and not withdrawing it, all while keeping the event on track.
Thanks to my dad, Aaron McGill, who answered the call at the last minute to co drive the Superhero Week kart to get it on the grid and not be a forced DNS. Our strongest bond has always been our shared love of motorsport, and he turned back the clock to show some serious pace.
Thanks to Cam Snape, who knew months ago he wouldn't be in the country, but still showed up every Tuesday night for months, to help make sure the karts were as ready as they could be. Thanks also to my brother Matt McGill, who prepped the Shoalhaven Signs kart that ran so well after such a disappointing showing last time out. I wanted it to run better, so put it in the best hands possible.
Thanks to Angus Beville, who has been in all sorts of spots around Australia, but when he's in Robertson , he helps at the drop of a hat with anything I ask of him. We left Robertson together at 5:45 this morning and he left my place after helping unpack at 9pm. Legend.
Thanks to Angela Ireland, Ralph's Grandmother. The Race Director job is a tough one, manage time, incidents on track, the list goes on and you really need eyes in the back of your head. Mum handled it with ease and did a fantastic job of it.
Thank you to Picton Karting Track, the use of the track is amazing and the hire kart enduro was terrifically run and enjoyed by all. The team does a tremendous job of running any event.
Thanks as always to Betty at erebus motorsport. This event would not exist without her support. Since meeting Ralph, her support has been constant and immense.
Thank you to Sarah, Charlie, Sienna and Ralph. The event at its core is about family, and specifically my family. I found myself in an impossible spot in 2024, looking through my storage container for things I could sell to help keep the family afloat financially. Two karts with no engines hanging on butcher's hooks appeared likely candidates.
Then I had an idea, to run them in an event against each other. Here we are, 2 1/2 years and 6 further karts later, having run 3 Races For Ralph. What started as a fanciful idea has grown into a reality that means so much to me on so many levels. Thank you to each and every one of our that have supported in some way, shape or form. From buying tickets to our trivia night, a sausage off our hire kart bbq, through to our amazing sponsors, I truly appreciate each and every bit of support we receive along the way.
