Rusty's Garage

Morphing from racer to coach and why his personality was perfect for the role. The constant thirst for information on how to be a better athlete which gave his academy international acclaim. Branching out and tackling desert enduros as well as memories of Finke in a milestone year for the race. A podium in the Castrol 6-hour - a late circuit racing bloom. Childhood memories of the Sydney Showground Speedway a making the move into Midgets (Speedcars). A 4-wheel title win and a Sprintcar crash which took its toll. Plus the little known Supercars test and the juggle of trying to coach Matt Mladin and James Stewart Stateside. In the midst of a ripper conversation we don’t get to every yarn….like his stunt coordination role on the recent Mad Max Movies - Fury Road and Furiosa for example - but if you find yourself wanting more check out his excellent new book ‘The Stephen Gall Story: No Easy Way’ available for order at www.noeasyway.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.

Glory days with his brother Dean on the family property in Sydney’s south roaring around on home made dirt karts and fold up bikes. How a trip to see legends like Roger De Coster at Oran Park in the early 1970’s left a lasting impression. Why his Dad wasn’t keen to begin with and where he gets his trademark commitment and determination. The much loved officials (who were part of the fabric of the sport) that quietly turned a blind eye to allow him to compete in his teens. And the bike that really started the journey on his rise to Mr Motocross. Befriending and battling the late Anthony Gunter or ‘Grunt’ as they called him. Plus the marketing genius of Vincent Tesoriero at Forcefield - together they helped to change perceptions ushering in a professional era. This episode coincides with the release of his fabulous new book ‘The Stephen Gall Story: No Easy Way’. Check it out & order your copy at www.noeasyway.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.

One of the all time greats of Motorsport from the Tasman region is finally on the pod.Ken Smith has been racing since 1958 and he’s still going!The family’s love for another kind of horsepower and how Kenny would sometimes hold up the motor racing schedule to check how his horse went.Competing against (and socializing after) with some absolute legends of the 60’s and early 70’s….Graham Hill, Bruce McLaren, Jimmy Clark, Jack Brabham and many more.His gravitation to single seater racing and winning the prestigious New Zealand Grand Prix for the first time in 1976. He then had an agonizing 14 year wait to do it again in 1990 and then another 14 year gap to his third in 2004.Even at age 84 Kenny is still razor sharp and the memories that surround us in his workshop where we recorded make for constant conversation starters. How he helped bank roll a good portion of Roberto Moreno’s summer of racing in NZ without dipping into his own pockets.  (You can hear more about this in Roberto’s Feature Ep in our library).And a friendship with Jimmy Richards that dates back to their early days.We won’t get to every one of the 160 plus cars he’s raced but the chat gives you an incredible snapshot of a life lived at full throttle.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.

Awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1987 for services to Motorsport Ken Smith wasn’t about to let that be a book end to his career. There was still so much more he wanted to do.His eye for talent and the significant help he gave in the background to sure up the future of some modern day stars.Working with Indycar great Scott Dixon, World Sportscar and Le Mans 24 hour winner Brendon Hartley, 4-time Bathurst winner Greg Murphy (in his early days) as well as Shane van Gisbergen and Liam Lawson.Trading blows with Craig Baird and Paul Radisich as they climbed the ladder.Reflections on the lovely constant for so much of his racing, his late Mother Dorothy.And we’ll talk about the cool cars that surround us in the 5-time Gold Star winner’s workshop. Plus the odd saloon car drive and much more.The numbers seem hard to comprehend, 50 starts in the New Zealand Grand Prix, almost 70 years of continuous racing, success overseas in Asia as well as countless wins at home.  We don’t get to every podium or memories of every high or low but this is a well rounded summary of an incredible career so far and Ken Smith has no plans to hang up the helmet just yet.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.

Rally QLD winner Harry Bates and rookie Jackson Long join us for this edition of the shortcast fresh from the opening round of the EROAD Australian Championship.Long is part of the expanded two car Pedder’s squad and despite a scary diff issue late on Sunday he really impressed! How Jackson is adjusting his pace notes with the help of his codriver (his Dad) because of the faster speeds of his new ride, the R5 spec Skoda Fabia.And the SIM time that’s helped him adapt so quickly.  It’s way better than the old arcade games. Bate’s was in good form on the stages around Gympie no matter what road position he was in.That ‘grove’ he and Coral Taylor found early in the event was great for confidence and they just kept building.Harry is now gearing up for Rally Portugal. How an opportunity to compete in the ultra competitive Rally 2 class came about.Plus the words of motivation from Kiwi legend Greg Murphy at the end of the WRC event in New Zealand in 2022 that really sank in. Rusty is battling the early onset of a cold here but we’ve tuned him up and pulled together a couple of cool rally chats.  Head to the stage start and get into 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.