Tyson Balbosa, who races in the Emzone Radical Cup Canada (RCC) presented by Michelin and organized by FEL Motorsports. Tyson drives Radical SR3XX, #7 in the Auto Eclectic Motorsports fleet.

Last month, I took a huge step forward in my racing career, thanks to the support of everyone at Purity Gas.

I raced for the first time at a new level, considered one of the top (and the fastest!) series in Canada – the 2025 Emzone Radical Cup Canada presented by Michelin. The season opened at the Victoria Day SpeedFest at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, which typically attracts about 50,000 fans and campers.

Driving into the park on Thursday, before the event had even started, I was amazed to see how many RVs and campers were already lined up. I definitely hadn’t seen crowds like this at the regional events I had competed in before.

There were some nerves for sure, because I didn’t know exactly what to expect during this weekend of firsts. Mostly I felt grateful – fortunate for the opportunity made possible because of sponsor support and a team at Auto Eclectic Motorsports that I consider family.

A new level of competition

With an extended group of people believing in me, counting on me, I felt new pressure. I am always serious about racing and always want good results, but I had often raced against drivers who hit the track simply for fun. Now I was surrounded by drivers who, like me, spend all their free time learning, being mentored and coached, and continually working to improve. Rigorous technical inspections ensure that all Radical cars meet a set of standard specs – there’s no room for excuses when everyone is on an equal playing field.

I started Race 1 on Saturday with big expectations and realized early that not only was I in this race – I could win it. I never wanted to win more.

And that’s when I made a mistake. Not wanting to give up my position, not wanting to let a driver pass me, my competitive nature took over. In tricky wet conditions, I made a split-second braking decision and hit the wall.

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Learning lessons and moving forward

Until that moment, the weekend felt like a fairy tale. But real life isn’t a fairy tale; real life teaches you lessons. In my case they come at you at 200 km per hour.

So what did I learn?

  • Even when you’ve done everything possible to be ready, you can’t fully anticipate or simulate the key moments. You just have to go through them.
  • Anyone with a long, meaningful career – in any field – has been through something like I experienced during that first race. These people will help you understand it’s just part of your story.
  • There’s always another race. In racing – as in life – you will sometimes stumble, but with strength of character, trust in yourself, and a supportive team, you can rise up and keep going.

That brings me to Race 2 on Sunday. The Auto Eclectic team made it their mission to make sure I could get back in the car the next day. They impressively undid the damage to the car and sent me right back out there.

I’ll admit to having a little less confidence than usual during that second race, which was enough to keep me out of contention in a sport where a fraction of a second makes a difference. What I know now is this: I belong in this fight.

I’ve sized up my competition and learned what is required to succeed at this level of racing. I’ve gone through some wild emotions and learned a lot about my mental strength. I hit the wall, put it behind me, and got back in the car to do better.

Maybe most importantly, I now understand that I can’t shake the faith people have in me.

Next up is the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto in July. I’m so eager to use the lessons I learned, study hard, and take my best shot. 

Thank you to the people at Purity Gas for cheering me on and having my back. I truly couldn’t do it without you. One thing that will never change is my desire to win, so plan to celebrate with me later this season!

Read the full press release announcing our partnership with Tyson Balbosa and learn how onsite nitrogen gas is powering performance on and off the track.

Follow Tyson’s racing journey on Instagram @tysonbalbosaracing and stay connected with us @PurityGasInc for behind-the-scenes updates. 

Photo Credits: Alex Smalley, Instagram @gofast_photography