The Motorsport Brief - Aussies vs the Kiwis

There’s two guests for this special Australian Grand Prix-view.  First up Guenther Steiner. He’s back on Rusty’s Garage ahead of the F1 season opener.  We get Guenther’s observations of the talented rookies lining up on grid this year and how Oscar Piastri might just break the Aussie podium drought at home. How difficult it is to manage two No. 1 drivers….will Zak Brown end up with a few more greys in 2025? Plus the hype around Hamilton. There’s so much excitement about Lewis and Ferrari. Does Steiner think Formula 1’s most famous team can give the 7-time World Champion what he needs for more success? And after the break Rusty chats to Australian Grand Prix CEO Travis Auld at Albert Park. What’s new for ‘25 now it’s back to round 1 on the calendar? How the fans will get to experience a very special celebration IF we all do the right thing.  There’s a great vibe in Melbourne. It feels like F1 has taken over the city with reminders of the race on billboards everywhere! How, like the Australian Tennis Open, this event has become a darling in the Victorian major event offering and the ROI it’s now giving tax payers.  If you can’t be trackside catch all the action on Ten Sport from 11.30am on Friday, 10am Saturday and Sunday is massive kicking off at 8.30am.  For more details go to 10play.com.au 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.

Chance opportunities with Bobby Rahal, the nickname ‘Mad Max’ and being part of the so called ‘Brat Pack’ of Champcar with Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan and the late Greg Moore. How these incredibly competitive athletes became good friends.Plus his NASCAR chapter and how it lead to mentoring Ty and Austin Dillon.Max kindly dialed in at the end of a big work day at his Max Papis Innovations in North Carolina. We talk about reinventing the wheel - the steering wheel - and why the precision he brings to everyday life is reflected in the world class racing product they now make.How MPI has expanded into all kinds of categories including Supercars and some reminders of the success they’ve enjoyed along the way. Find out more at https://maxpapisinc.com/It’s a cracking chat this one. Settle in and enjoy the ride. 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.

Don’t worry Russell got even. It’s a great story! Fitting that we’re releasing this ep on the eve of a new Formula One season.Max, through sheer determination and his early grasp of forming lasting commercial relationships, made it to F1. By his own admission his time there was brief. And why it almost marked the end of his career as a professional racer.Plus the early days growing in the north of Italy, racing karts against lots of great names and the special momento he kept from his friend Ayrton Senna.This is an epic chat with some good life and racing lessons from a one of the most driven and passionate competitors you’re ever likely to meet.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.

Chaz Mostert and Hayden Paddon are back on the pod but this time in opposing corners ahead of the Race of Champions (ROC)! Mozzie has been given a late call up to join the All Stars team and reckon’s he needs some advice from Hayden.  For Paddon the chance to go head-to-head in Sydney with an icon of rallying in Sebastien Loeb was too good an opportunity to miss. So who has the edge? Circuit racers or the Rally and Rallycross stars? Plus Hayden talks about tackling the 2025 Australian Rally Championship with the program shifting into top gear after ROC. And what Chaz and Walkinshaw Andretti United learned after the opening Supercars round at Sydney Motorsport Park as they gear up for Round 2 at the Grand Prix in Melbourne. Chaz, Hayden and an incredible line-up of legends will be at the Race of Champions this weekend at the Olympic Stadium. Tickets are available from just $49 at www.ticketek.com.au 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.

Stats that are off the charts and highlight just how good Robbie is….in all sorts of Speedway classes.  How recently, with a little age on his side and in post pandemic pondering, Robbie rediscovered circuit racing with a TA2 machine. Why he’s loving the challenge and how excited he is about taking it to Bathurst. We also reflect on rivals, some broader observations of Speedway in Australia and his deep passion for helping people to really experience the sport, not just take it in on the hill.   Robbie is forthright in this convo and immensely proud of racing speedway in our corner of the world.   What the future holds after spending much of his life on the road and doing 50 plus shows a year. Step on the gas for a fascinating part 2.   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.

An Aussie speedway star with a seriously impressive record.  We’ve been wanting to get Robbie Farr on the pod for a while and he doesn’t disappoint. The influence of family (he started going to oval tracks like the Sydney Showground and Liverpool when he was just weeks old) and how he harnessed a bit of a ‘wild’ approach in his early years to become the complete package.  Is the story of fudging birth dates to get a racing license an urban myth? How karting in his teens, when Mark Webber and Craig Lowndes were starting out, nearly lead to Formula Ford and a potential circuit racing path.  The gripping yarn of driving a midget (speedcar) and learning that his car owner had saved his Mum’s life years earlier! And reflections of some of the teams he’s raced for in iconic cars that will bring memories for Speedway fans flooding back. Strap in and enjoy the ride. 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.

A ‘Perfect’ preview of the opening round of the 2025 Supercars Championship this weekend with former Bathurst winner Nick Percat. How he plans to build on wins at the Grand Prix and in Tasmania last year and will there be a change in his overall approach to ensure he makes the ‘playoffs’? The growth of Matt Stone Racing, the emergence of young racer Cameron Crick and his impressions of fast GT runner Brendon Leitch after the Kiwi drove an MSR car in testing on Wednesday. Plus Nick’s kart team, how much he enjoys racing under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park and the new Perdog/Sladedog album! 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.

We begin the 2nd part of this Feature Episode with an impersonation that is usually reserved for the broadcast team during warmups - let’s just say that Jonathan sounds exactly like one of the Gods of motorcycle racing. How he fell into Auckland Harbour once while doing a story with some Supercars Drivers - it made the nightly news! Why the talent pool coming out of the New Zealand Summer Series is world class and his talented dog that goes looking for him behind the TV. It’s the final instalment with a globe trotting Motorsport commentator who has seemingly endless enthusiasm and energy. The secret to his longevity and the message to aspiring broadcasters - get stuck in and don’t be afraid to give it a go! 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.

Speed City’s main man is our latest addition to the Garage library. We spoke with him after five epic weeks covering Toyota’s Formula Regional Oceania Championship and the New Zealand Grand Prix. But this ep won’t just appeal to the Kiwis. Lovers of Two-Wheels will enjoy it as well.  Rusty talks to JG about his huge stint calling the World Superbikes with Aussie Steve Martin. You’ll also learn about his family ties to a legendary British racer, the time Jonathan went from Hong Kong to Beijing to cover a rally and working on the Macau GP for over 20 years! Oh and how turning down the chance to pursue acting lead to a life of journalism and broadcasting that includes Winter Olympics, Darts, Snooker and some good laughs too.  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.

Will Brown and Broc Feeney join us as we wrap up a huge weekend at Highlands Motorsport Park. How Will became the first Aussie in 50 years to win the prestigious race and how his Supercars teammate stole the pole with almost no single seater experience. Don’t think for a minute that makes Toyota’s Formula Regional Championship a walk in the park. Both Brown and Feeney reflect on the calibre of competition among the aspiring F1 and Indycar racers. We’ll look ahead to the 2025 Supercars season with them (it starts in less than a fortnight) plus the new look RedBull Ampol Racing colours they unveiled while they were in NZ. Oh and Rusty tries to twist their arm to come back for another shot at the GP next summer.  Better yet bring some of the other drivers with you lads! Plus we introduce you to two young racers trying to make their mark OS after impressing here over summer - Patrick Heuzenroeder from Australia and a Kiwi who’s based in the UAE by the name of Zack Scoular. 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.