Yesterday I got to tick it off.
When I got the offer to ride along for a lap at the 2025 Cromwell Street Sprints, I didn’t even hesitate to say yes.
For me the opportunity to ride in my car of choice in video games was too good to pass up.
Upon arriving I was introduced to my driver, Tony Buchanan, who had more than 20 years’ racing experience.
It was his fourth time at the sprints and we chatted about the event as we walked to the pits.
When we arrived, his black and orange car was waiting, ready to race.
I was handed a racing suit and helmet and after I was kitted up I was shown to my seat and climbed in.
The roll cage felt like navigating a monkey gym and the seat felt barely wide enough to fit me once I sat down.
Tony then sat down beside me and flicked the switches that would bring the car to life.
We drove out and queued for our time to hit the track — the roar of other cars and the smell of exhaust was in the air.
We were seventh to start out of the 55 cars which would roar around Lake Dunstan Industrial Park.
Once we were lined up on the starting line, the race marshall stepped out of the way and we were off.
The car took off much like a fighter jet and I was pressed firmly into my seat, the straight was short and we quickly turned into the first corner.
The G-forces from the turn threw me about, and if it weren’t for the fact I was strapped in tightly I would have been chucked about like I was in a washing machine.
The course flew by quickly and my body shifted with every corner and chicane.
At some points it felt like we were on two wheels.
A few turns and chicanes later, the lap was over as quickly as it began and I was left buzzing afterwards.
Despite my years of experience playing racing video games, nothing prepared me for the physical sensations of doing it for real — the noise of the roaring engine, the smell of exhaust, and the feeling of the G-forces as they acted on my body as we sped around the track.
Was it everything I had hoped for?
Yes — and I want more.
— Ella Jenkins
