The Motorsport Brief | The Godfather of GT racing Stephane Ratel

We’re at Sydney Motorsport Park for this one to chat with the founder of SRO Motorsport Group Stephane Ratel. The story of how it all started & the incredible footprint they now have around the world. Why he says they’ve “built the house, now they want to furnish it”. His impressions of the great work being done in Australia as the headline act of the Shannon’s Speed Series. Plus the global growth of GT4, the signing of former F1 Race Director Michael Masi and much more. We sat in a corporate box at Sydney Motorsport Park, ahead of the weekend’s night racing, & just hit record.  Stephane has a quiet presence at first but that all changes the moment you start talking about his beloved GT racing. 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 Garage. Check Out the Podcast: https://play.listnr.com/podcast/rustys-garage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thrusta1/ X: https://x.com/Thrusta1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrusta1/ Check out more from LiSTNR Sport: https://www.instagram.com/listnrsport

Rusty headed to Wellington for this one for the announcement that Race of Champions is coming back down under for two shows in January 2027. It’s the first time since the inception of ROC that the event will be staged in New Zealand. The boss, Fredrik Johnsson, who founded ROC back in 1988 with rally legend Michele Mouton, talks to us about signing F1 stars Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas….why it didn’t take much arm twisting! Plus the other names he’s chasing and the convos he’s having to ensure its a blockbuster line-up of locals and internationals. And the blank canvas in Wellington which could make for one of the fastest & best tracks they’ve ever had! Then Chaz Mostert joins us.  The special permission he needed to green light his involvement and why he absolutely had to be part of it. Why his phone is now ringing hot with other Supercars drivers keen to be part of it and who he’d like to join him. He also reflects on that special win at the Bend 500 at the weekend, the job his co-driver Fabian Coulthard did and how he feels now heading to one of the biggest races of the year, Bathurst. 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 Garage. Check Out the Podcast: https://play.listnr.com/podcast/rustys-garage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thrusta1/ X: https://x.com/Thrusta1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrusta1/ Check out more from LiSTNR Sport: https://www.instagram.com/listnrsport

This ep was recorded on Father’s Day 2026 & TM is in great form as we launch into part 2 of a collection of his business & motorsport memories. Going with his gut on a big freight or transport deal with the Kelly’s. How time ‘wounds all heals’, that’s not a typo, I let Terry explain. A shortlived Bathurst win for Paul in the 90’s and watching on as his son finally climbed that Mountain with Chaz Mostert & Ford in 2014. Why Sprintcar legend Donny Schatz thought he was the gardner! And the incredible hospitality of Dale Earnhardt Jnr. Plus the immense joy of seeing his grandson Nash now making his own mark. Be honest with where you’re at, set realistic goals and get after them! That’s just one of the fantastic takeaways from this ep. Terry doesn’t waste words and I’m thrilled we captured some of his story. Fire it up for a listen.  Thanks to Mick Doohan, Donny Schatz, Paul Morris, Owen Kelly, Leigh Diffey, Alan Gow, Nigel Barclay, Nash Morris, Brodie Kostecki and more for their help before we recorded. 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 Garage.

Leaving school at a young age but always being industrious and with an eye for opportunity. Becoming a member of the Gippsland Car Club and helping to build the Morwell Hill Climb. Earning enough to buy a rare beauty - a Zephsca (pictured). Racing the Sandown 500 in an HD Holden and convincing the local dealer that it would help them sell cars. Riding shotgun with his son Paul well before ‘The Dude’ won Bathurst and what that GC Speedway experience in a Bomber was like? On the Formula Ford committee and having fun in the ultra competitive Gemini class. Plus a wild ride in Peter Adderton’s Nissan GTR with BTCC boss Alan Gow at the wheel. And a backstory you may not have heard until now around a class win at Bathurst in the early 1990’s. This is a wonderful convo that easily meanders between incredible success in business and a deep love of family and Motorsport. Thanks to Mick Doohan, Donny Schatz, Paul Morris, Owen Kelly, Leigh Diffey, Alan Gow, Nigel Barclay, Nash Morris, Brodie Kostecki and more for their help before we recorded. 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 Garage.

From swimming to singing and ultimately ending up managing the internationally respected Race Driver Training complex on the Gold Coast. The opportunities she saw as Paul Morris championed the brand and now working with all sorts of manufacturers right round Australia. School runs with a young Broc Feeney and Nash Morris and using her love of elite sport and PT qualifications to improve the fitness of some of Supercars biggest names. Learning to waterski with Anton De Pasquale, coping with knock-backs and why Carina is a firm believer that “success leaves clues”. While there was some study in the early years it’s been hands on learning and her inner drive that has helped Norwell become a Gold Coast destination, something she credits her tight-knit team for. What it meant to be named a finalist in the GC Bulletin Women of the Year - Stars in Tourism award and why the guidence they give young instructors can help on their racing journey. Paul and Carina never asked me to share the Norwell website when we recorded this but I’m going to anyway https://norwellmotorplex.com.au/ I’ve been lucky enough to drive cool some cars there over the years. The instruction/coaching I receive (every time) has made for some of the most memorable days, not just of my work life but personally too.  If you’re thinking about a team building exercise, a Christmas party, a product launch or to improve your racing skills get in touch with them. 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 Garage. Check Out the Podcast: https://play.listnr.com/podcast/rustys-garage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thrusta1/ X: https://x.com/Thrusta1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrusta1/ Check out more from LiSTNR Sport: https://www.instagram.com/listnrsport

Code Sports’ Matt Hickey is back on the pod ahead of Round 13. What are Kimi Antonelli’s chances of winning at home, or will the Tifosi get a Ferrari fairytale? Lando Norris is in hot form as McLaren aims to turn up the heat on the Scuderia in the chase for second in the Constructors’ Championship. Has Liam Lawson done enough to keep his place on the F1 grid next year? Rusty reckons he has. Is Aston finally on the improve, plus the silly season that, so far, isn’t that silly. Some Oscar Piastri perspective. Oh, and does Matt Hickey need to update his IMDb profile for ‘Days of Thunder 2’, which will no doubt build on the clever camera work that captured the speed in the F1 movie? It’s a timely chat with only a third of the season remaining. Maybe Mercedes won’t run papaya-style rules for its drivers for the run to the flag. 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 Garage. Check Out the Podcast: https://play.listnr.com/podcast/rustys-garage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thrusta1/ X: https://x.com/Thrusta1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrusta1/ Check out more from LiSTNR Sport: https://www.instagram.com/listnrsport/

Rusty is in rally mode for this one catching up with an Aussie Off-Road legend and a Kiwi WRC star. Fresh from Rally Tasmania a week ago Toby headed over the ditch to contest round 4 of the New Zealand Rally Championship. How much he’s enjoying playing in both series and some insights on the different cars he’s driving. You can find out more about the growing GR Yaris Rally Cup in New Zealand here: https://www.facebook.com/GRYarisRallyCupNZ? Will Toby go back for another crack at Dakar over summer and he’s gearing up for Sunraysia Safari with Maximum Motorsport. Then we check in with Hyundai’s Haddon Paddon who dominated Rally Hawkes Bay, which was great for match fitness before he jets out to Paraguay. His months of prep for this weekend’s WRC round. How much he’s enjoying competing again at the highest levels of the sport and what next for  https://paddonrallysport.co.nz/ Oh & is the reigning Australian Rally Champion likely to make an appearance at the awesome Super Special Stage Show at the Supercar’s Adelaide Grand Final this year? You know Rusty loves being at the coalface.  Enjoy a couple of cool chats in their rally transporters while the crews work on the cars. 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 Garage.

The decision, around the time of the pandemic, to buy a team, why he was ready and relished the new challenge. Working with the Kelly’s and Ford as they set out to build a leading outfit in the ultra competitive Supercars pit lane and why he believes they are not there yet. Reflections on his drivers Kai Allen and what makes him so good. Negotiating speed humps with the brilliant Matt Payne and why their direct relationship is still tight. Plus securing Garth Tander and the impact he’s had on the team as they grew. The importance he places in the Grove junior program, the ‘fight’ or tenacity he looks for in those young racers and dealing with difficult decisions when it doesn’t work out. We give Stephen the space to place some context around a recent headline about being here to dominate too. N.B. This episode was recorded before the Supercars Court of Appeal Hearing into the Governing Body’s (Motorsport Australia) decision not penalise the team for an alleged tyre pressure regulation breach in Perth recently.  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 Garage.

A long form feature interview like this is something new for the Penrite Racing team owner & we’re delighted he’s joined us in the Garage studio. Building golf courses in the early days including one for the Sultan of Brunei. A window into his success mindset - stopping to savour the 2025 Bathurst 1000 win isn’t something he did for too long, it’s the same in business. Going back to Uni while juggling a young family and diving in to what would quietly become a huge business covering modular construction, equipment hire, property development and more. Fans can see some of Grove’s modular construction at the F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne for example as quality trackside corporate facilities.  Discovering the pure joy of driving race cars through a mate and becoming hooked! And how a toe in the water sponsorship with the Tasman Supercars team almost 20 years ago set the wheels in motion. Like the Tony Quinn & Sam Shahin ep’s you’ll love the business takeaways here and the parallels with Motorsport. This convo will help you get to know a success driven leader who would ordinarily prefer to work out of the limelight but the public game of Supercars has changed that.  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 Garage.

The Australian Speedway great amassed 10 national Sprintcar titles during his decorated career. Recorded in 2019 many fans may not realise that ‘Rushy’ is in our library. This relaxed and candid convo remains a personal and professional highlight of Rusty’s career having captured Garry’s autograph as a young fan, something Greg has kept to this day.We also talk Speedcars, racing in the US, a frightening crash in the States and a little known chapter in single seaters that briefly took him to the UK with a loose plan to eventually get to Formula 1. Garry recently celebrated his 82nd birthday and it’s been almost exactly 7 years since we released this ep. Back then Sydney Speedway or Parramatta, as it was affectionately known, was still around and the new venue at Eastern Creek was just a design or set of plans. From hair raising stories towing race cars in his early days to being inducted in the Australian Motorsport and Speedway Australia Halls of Fame…what a ride. https://www.australianmotorsporthalloffame.com.au/inductees/garry-rush/ 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 Garage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.