Round 2 of the 2025 Radical Cup Australia roared into life today with two thrilling races showcasing intense competition, high drama, and a fierce comeback from New Zealand’s Tim Edgell.
The day began with Edgell lining up ninth on the grid for Race 1. A strong start saw the two-time NZ Sportscars Racing Champion quickly surge forward to fourth place, demonstrating the pace and racecraft that have made him a fan favourite. But just as he settled into a promising rhythm, disaster struck.
A low tyre pressure alarm in his Radical SR3 XXR forced an unscheduled pit stop. The team swiftly changed the wheel and sent Edgell back out, but he rejoined the field two laps down.
To make matters worse, the alarm sounded again shortly after. It wasn’t until the race concluded that the issue was traced to a faulty sensor—the tyres had been perfectly fine all along.
Despite the setback, the team quickly resolved the issue and prepared the car for Race 2 later in the afternoon. And when the lights went out again, Edgell was ready to fight back.
Once again starting from eighth, Edgell began methodically carving through the 20-car field.
A bold move on Bradley Russell saw him climb into sixth, while up front, championship leaders Cooper Cutts and Peter Paddon were locked in a fierce battle of their own, trading blows and pulling a 10-second gap on the rest of the field with their blistering pace.
Unfazed, Edgell continued his charge, overtaking Ruairidh Avern to break into the Top 5, and soon after, he dispatched Mark Brame to move into fourth position.
At one point, Edgell’s fastest lap—a 1:29.970—was just eight-tenths of a second off Cutts’ race-leading time and the fourth quickest overall, highlighting his incredible pace.
Determined to compensate for the earlier misfortune, Edgell pushed hard in the closing laps, eyeing a podium finish. In a nail-biting conclusion, he crossed the line in fourth place, missing out on third by just six-tenths of a second.
While a podium narrowly escaped his grasp, it was a remarkable recovery and a testament to Edgell’s grit, speed, and determination. His commanding performance was a highlight of the day and sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting Sunday showdown.
The action resumes tomorrow with Race 3 at 11:10 am NZT, followed by the final race of the weekend at 3:15 pm NZT. With momentum on his side, Edgell will be one to watch.
Header Image: Shannons SpeedSeries
