"The Best Value for Speed in the Country" — Ambrose Backs ADC as Australia's Bargain Racer

There are not many people in Australian motorsport whose endorsement carries more weight than Marcos Ambrose. Two Supercars titles. Nine years in NASCAR. A Cup Series winner on the streets of Watkins Glen. When he talks about racing value, people listen.

And what Ambrose has been saying since taking on the role of AASA National Competition and Commercial Director is pretty clear: the Hankook Australian Drivers' Championship is the best deal in the country.

"It would without doubt be the best value for speed, racing category in the country," Ambrose said. "It is run by a passionate group of people who are focused on keeping the racing fair, low cost and fun."

The category runs the Australian-built Hyper Racer X1 — a full ground-effects open-wheeler powered by a Suzuki Hayabusa engine producing around 145 horsepower, with lap times around tight circuits like Winton comparable to a Supercars machine. The full carbon fibre car weighs just 410 kilograms in race trim. And a fully competitive season, excluding travel and accommodation, can be run for under $12,000.

"The team at Hyper Racer have done an incredible job," Ambrose continued, "not only to design and build a low-cost high-performance open wheel race car but also manage the ADC for their customers."

For Ambrose, the appeal isn't just financial. He sees the ADC as part of a broader mission to make national-level motorsport accessible to drivers who might otherwise be priced out entirely. "As the ADC grows, we at AASA continue to support the series by providing more events to race in and work with the category to keep a lid on costs whilst delivering more track time and more race laps."

The 2026 season expands to six rounds across some of Australia's best circuits — The Bend, Calder Park, One Raceway, Sydney Motorsport Park, Winton, and a sixth venue to be confirmed. If Ambrose's enthusiasm is any guide, the ADC's best days are still ahead.