John Smailes | Part 2 - a star struck Colin McRae and a new book on Colin Bond

Moving to America and playing an important part in an incredible period of dominance with Suzuki. The competitive intensity fellow Aussie Matt Mladin brought to his training and racing as well as the emergence of data and the deep dives that helped make him a better rider. Returning home and switching from team land, where you try to exploit even the smallest holes in the rules, to enforcing them for Motorcycling Australia. How policing the technical side lead to the top job, the challenges navigating through covid and a balance sheet that was on life support. The greenshoots in all areas of two wheel competition in Oz inspired by our MXON and Speedway teams in recent months. Plus working on the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame board and a park the politics ‘roll your sleeves up’ approach to management. Peter’s candid approach to story telling will leave you in no doubt that the right administrator can make a good Motorsport podcast guest.  Head to Rusty's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and give us your feedback and let us know who you want to hear from on Rusty's GarageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The straight talking CEO of Motorcycling Australia joins us for a feature length conversation that goes well beyond rules and regs. Doyle grew up in a family entrenched in the motorcycle racing community where the big names of the day would often be round for dinner. Living and breathing bikes had a profound effect on him. Peter rode as a young fella but openly admits that if he didn’t change some wild ways he could have gone down the wrong path in life. A decision to work on bikes rather than race them took him overseas to pursue success in the World Superbike Championship. He shared parts of the journey with names like Aaron Slight, Robbie Phillis (who are both in the Rusty’s Garage library) and many more. From home made spas in Germany next to Millie Vanilli’s recording studio to making the paddock realise it wasn’t just riders with talent that came from a land Down Under. This one ain’t full of management speak just because Doyley works for the Governing Body now. There’s some good laughs and engaging convo. Hit the starter and enjoy. Head to Rusty's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and give us your feedback and let us know who you want to hear from on Rusty's GarageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shane van Gisbergen is back on the pod and he tackles your questions. With the NASCAR community raving about his performance this year (especially on road courses) we get his thoughts on the progress he’s making on ovals. Will he do some Sprintcar Racing or even the Chilli Bowl during the off season and has he nearly pulled a ‘hammy’ kicking that Rugby ball into the crowd. SVG managed to watch Bathurst around his Trackhouse commitments in Vegas and he offers up some observations on that classic edition of the Great Race. And why he’s wound back a bit of the SIM race prep but cranked up his views of onboard videos.Shane has made a few appearances on the Garage over the years but this conversation is one of their best. Don’t miss it… Head to Rusty's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and give us your feedback and let us know who you want to hear from on Rusty's GarageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PR agency he established which became a benchmark with a strong automotive footprint and bluechip clients like Toyota. How working in TV complimented his business and why he always remained eyes forward when a chapter in broadcasting came to a close. The awkward moment between Rusty & Smailsey when their careers intersected and the respect they have for each other now. How a bet on Wayne Gardner lead to someone stripping in the back of an interview he did. And introducing rally legend Colin McRae to a hero of his. The 10th book he’s written, the story of one of Australia’s most versatile drivers Colin Bond who raced for both the Holden and Ford factory teams.https://superstore.v8sleuth.com.au/products/full-tilt-colin-bond-autobiography-book?srsltid=AfmBOopas6WLpdbRYpjoGB8PmnDEOwQJpRbzw2Yn4UZbBBJqN9b0kDhWPlus John’s passionate work on the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame and why he’s so determined to keep the inductees names up in lights.https://www.australianmotorsporthalloffame.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He wrote to Ferry Porsche in his teens and got a reply! Then his hero, the 1960 Australian Touring Car Champion David McKay, would help start his long career in the media. Many listener’s will remember John Smailes from his time on the ABC commentating with Will Hagon and a young Neil Crompton. It became one of the first soundtracks of Aussie Motorsport. JS also worked for the Packer’s and the forerunner to Wide World of Sports where an ‘F bomb’, dropped by a legendary racer, once made it to air. Covering crime and politics in his early years and why he’s never lost that news sense. Traveling through some treacherous destinations covering the London to Sydney and the book on it which became a collectors item. Plus memorable interviews he did with Frank Gardner and why Enzo Ferrari thought Kiwi Chris Amon could have been a great! You’ll be gripped by this conversation. Ripper motor racing stories told by a good story teller. Head to Rusty's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and give us your feedback and let us know who you want to hear from on Rusty's GarageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hear from the top 3 combos shortly after the celebrations wrapped up at an epic Bathurst 1000.Winner’s Matt Payne and Garth Tander reflect on the what it means to win one of the most memorable editions of the Great Race for the Grove squad. David Reynolds and Lee Holdsworth chat about the stress of the final few laps and how they reveled in the conditions to move into podium contention for Team 18. Then James Golding on the penalty that cost him a win and David Russell’s savvy driving to help set-up one of PremiAir Racing’s best results. With the champagne drying on their race suits and the formalities over the drivers open up on a day they’ll never forget. We then switch from 4 wheels to 2 for a look ahead to the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island this weekend.   Thanks to Mitch Robinson and Supercars for the press conference audio. Joel Kelso headed to Mount Panorama on the way to hang out with his mate Broc Feeney at Triple 8 as well 2024 winner’s Erebus Motorsport.  It was fantastic to get the Moto3 racer on before the busiest week of his season.Head to Rusty's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and give us your feedback and let us know who you want to hear from on Rusty's GarageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Respected Motorsport engineer and Data Analyst Scott Sinclair joins us at Bathurst to look at some of the key considerations for Sunday’s Great Race. He worked with James Courtney back in 2010 when he won the title for Dick Johnson Racing and listner’s may also know him from stints with the Holden Racing Team and more recently with Kelly Racing’s Nissan program. These days he lends his expertise to the Supercars TV team helping the commentators tell the strategic story of the races and he provides fans with excellent exclusive content for the sport’s official website. His latest column talks about what you need for success at the Bathurst 1000 and why it’s more than luck. https://www.supercars.com/news/expert-analysis-supercars-2025-bathurst-1000-strategy-explained-double-stack-pit-stop-ford-hopes Fittingly Rusty and Scott talked as it began to rain at Bathurst. From the impact of wet weather, the value of the pre-event track walk, tyres, safety cars, having a closely matched co-driver, pitstops for brakes and fuel, plus the benefit of a little motivational radio chat.   Enjoy some of the engineering considerations ahead of this weekend’s Bathurst 1000 which you can listen too on our sister network Triple M as Rusty joins Daniel Leach live from Mount Panorama for the top 10 shootout on Saturday and the big race on Sunday. Head to Rusty's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and give us your feedback and let us know who you want to hear from on Rusty's GarageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rusty is on the ground for this weekend’s F1 night race and he caught up with the world championship leader before the action gets underway. In something of an exclusive Piastri isn’t doing a huge amount of media here as he focuses on the title race. (We get it and we’re grateful he came on). How he feels about the tough weekend in Baku last time out and the way he processes those difficult moments. With Aussie sports fans struggling to understand McLaren’s ‘spirit of fairness’ approach between its two ultra competitive drivers Oscar explains the Papaya side and why they’re at peace with it. And how he’s stayed true to himself during a box office period for the sport and the incredible demands that go with it. Don’t miss this rapport filled chat between Rusty and Oscar Piastri ahead of one of the most critical races of the season.  Head to Rusty's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and give us your feedback and let us know who you want to hear from on Rusty's GarageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re joined by Codesport’s Matt Hickey for a Grand Prix debrief after a weekend to forget for Oscar Piastri. Why he is in the best spot to bounce back mentally and in the race for the title. Is Max Verstappen now in the mix? Could this two horse race be about to face the ultimate disruptor?Liam Lawson’s drive of the season and the timely nature of his top five result.  Does RedBull have too many roosters in the henhouse? And the ultimate payday for Christian Horner. Will we see him in the paddock again and potentially where? Enjoy another easy going GP convo between Rusty & Hick’s.  Head to Rusty's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and give us your feedback and let us know who you want to hear from on Rusty's GarageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Winterbottom made a very memorable appearance on the pod 12 months ago but a bit has changed in his world since that Feature Episode. His role now as a codriver netted a podium first time out with his old race family at Tickford. The battle between the coey’s and was there any initial rustiness? How much he’s enjoyed mentoring the team’s Super 2 drivers and the conversation he had with JB & Billy from the Rush Hour about his bakery buy. Plus his best selling biography - Frosty - the depths he went to over the 18 month writing period and why it was so cathartic. Will there be a new chapter to write after the Great Race at Bathurst next month? https://www.harpercollins.com.au/search-results/?contributor=mark-winterbottom Head to Rusty's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and give us your feedback and let us know who you want to hear from on Rusty's GarageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.