Champions Series #3: Joel Berkley – National SSA Super Sedan Champion
A Rollercoaster of Emotions on His Way to the Title!
When you think of championship-winning moments, they’re often filled with smooth runs and decisive victories. But for Joel Berkley, the 2025 National Super Sedan Title was anything but straightforward. From an unpredictable buildup to a dramatic, heart-pounding final, Berkley’s journey to the A1 was a wild ride that could only be described as a rollercoaster of emotions. Here’s the full story from the lead-up to the title, the final race, and the plans for next season.
This year’s lead-up to the Australian Title was anything but ordinary for Joel. “It was a different lead-up than normal. With the car being in South Australia, we didn’t have to drive down; it was just fly in, get ready, and race. That was a bit of a change for such a big event,” Joel explains.
Despite the change in travel arrangements, the usual preparation was in full swing. “Other than that, it was just the usual. We were working as long as we could to make sure everything was ready. It’s always a bit of a rush leading into these big events.”
As the event unfolded, things went pretty smoothly for Berkley, but there were nerves in the air. “Nothing too strange happened, thankfully,” he says. He sailed through the heat race on the final night, securing a strong starting position for the feature in position four. But with such high stakes, the nerves were still there, hoping the car would stay strong and the race would go according to plan.
The final race? Well, that’s a different story altogether. According to Joel, it had “almost everything in it” and it’s a story you’d have a hard time believing unless you saw it firsthand.
“I ran fourth for the first half of the race, then Matty and Darren got together, and we were restarting second,” Joel recalls. “At that point, I thought, ‘We’ve got a shot at this.’”
But things took a sudden turn. On the restart, things went south. “Coming out of turn four, Mitchell and I got together, and I was looking down at the ground, thinking, ‘There’s no way I’m going to be able to continue.’ But somehow, I could.”
Joel kept pushing forward, trying everything he could to pass Mitchell. But with just three laps remaining, things took another twist. “I got into him in turn 3-4, and for about 15 seconds, I was really disappointed with myself. I thought I was an idiot.”
And then, things got even more dramatic. “To see what happened to him after that was a rollercoaster of emotions, that’s for sure. Then, the officials had to figure out how to get the plastic off the right front wheel to restart the race.”
Joel knew he had one shot at redemption: “I knew I had to make two perfect laps to be able to cross the line first.” And that’s exactly what he did. But the drama wasn’t over.
“We crossed the line, and then there was a red flag,” Joel laughs. “For a second, I thought, ‘No way! I have to do this again?’” Thankfully, the race result was official, and Joel was crowned the National Super Sedan Champion. Relief, joy, and a sense of disbelief washed over him. “It was a huge relief to have it done, especially after all that drama.”
For Joel, winning the Australian Championship is more than just a title: it’s the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and passion for the sport. “It’s something you can’t describe,” he says. “To reach the top level of the sport in multiple divisions is so hard to put into words. But one thing’s for sure, after winning the Production Sedan Title in 2019, it really makes you appreciate how hard these moments are to come by.”
For Berkley, each victory is cherished and earned, and this title carries a special weight because of the intense battle and unpredictable moments that led up to it.
As for the upcoming season, Berkley is already looking ahead. “We’re still working on plans for next season, but if everything goes well, we’ll start the year by hitting up most of the Queensland races early,” he explains. “Then we’ll be defending the Queensland Title in Rockhampton at the end of November.”
Beyond that, Joel has his sights set on more major races. “I plan on contesting most of the major races in Queensland, and we’ll also head south to contest the Australian and Victorian Titles. I’d love to make it down to Tassie, but we’ll see how everything pans out.”
With the A1 now on the car, Joel knows the pressure will be on. But if this year’s dramatic win was any indication, he’s more than up to the challenge.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of his dedicated team. “First and foremost, I have to thank Bob McCosker for giving me the opportunity to drive his car and providing us with the best chance to do what we do,” Joel says. “Also, a massive thanks to Brady Vohland for all the hours he puts into working on the car. He’s the brain behind it all and deserves a lot of credit for our success.”
Joel also makes sure to thank the people who support him week in and week out, from sponsors to his family and fans. “A huge thanks to everyone who supports what I do with racing. The sponsors across all the cars, and everyone who helps get us to the track week in and week out—it means a lot.”
For Joel Berkley, the 2023 National Super Sedan Title was a testament to perseverance, hard work, and the rollercoaster nature of motorsport. This was further proven when he was named the overall Sedan Competitor and Overall Driver of the Year at the recent Speedway Australia Awards. As he moves into the 2025/26 season, with his eyes set on defending the A1, one thing’s for sure: the journey is just as thrilling as the destination.
