The Motor Dream Podcast

Motor racing is often defined by the relentless pursuit of technical excellence, where manufacturers and teams fight for every millisecond. However, the true heart of the sport lies in the personalities that transform a race into a spectacle. Australia has a rich history of producing "larger-than-life" characters—from the charisma of Daniel Ricciardo to the grit of Jack Miller—who balance fierce track competition with a likable, fan-focused attitude. On episode 44, we sit down with a driver who embodies that spirit: Cody McKay, the Newcastle local whose racing talent is matched only by his legendary, Bottas-rivalling mullet. McKay’s journey is a masterclass in turning passion into a career. From his start in karts at 16 to establishing his own business, Radical Mechanical, Cody has navigated everything from the Variety Club Bash to his breakout 2025 season in the Aussie Racing Cars Super Series, where he secured 7th overall. Now, in 2026, he takes the ultimate leap into team ownership with Chicane Motorsports. In this extended interview, Cody shares hilarious anecdotes from the paddock, the stories behind his massive memorabilia collection, and a "dream garage" lineup that is pure retro nostalgia. It’s a candid look at a driver who lives and breathes the sport, proving that in racing, the person behind the wheel is just as important as the machine they're driving.Follow Cody on Instagram, Facebook and YouTubeFollow Chicane Motorsports on Instagram and FacebookChicane Motorsports Website: https://www.chicanemotorsports.com.au/The Motor Dream Podcast Website: https://www.themotordream.com.auThe Motor Dream Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDreamThe Motor Dream Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheMotorDream#TheMotorDream

Season three kicks off with a bang as we align with the opening round of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship at the Australian Grand Prix. This isn't just a new season; it’s the dawn of a revolutionary era. We break down the massive shifts in the sport, from the debut of manufacturers Audi and Cadillac to the radical technical overhaul of the cars. With a move toward kinetic energy recovery, reduced dimensions, and the introduction of active aerodynamics to replace the unloved DRS system, F1 is leaner and meaner than ever. With the sport’s popularity exploding in the U.S. through Apple TV and the recent F1 feature film, we explore how the grid is transforming to meet this unprecedented global demand.  Joining us to navigate these changes is Texas-based journalist and motorsport expert Elizabeth Blackstock. From her Michigan roots to her roles at Planet F1, Road & Track, and Donut, Elizabeth has become a definitive voice in American racing media. We discuss her journey from being inspired by the film Rush to co-authoring the definitive book on the infamous Haas/Rich Energy saga. Elizabeth also pulls back the curtain on her hit podcast, Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys, which explores the darker, historical underbelly of the sport. Stay tuned until the end, as Elizabeth shares a "Dream Garage" that is as unique and high-octane as her career in the paddock.Follow Elizabeth on Instagram, X and BlueskyFollow Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys on Instagram, Substack and TikTokElizabeth Blackstock Website: https://elizabeth-blackstock.com/Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys Website: https://www.deadlypassionsterriblejoys.com/Listen to Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys on SpotifyThe Motor Dream Podcast Website: https://www.themotordream.com.auThe Motor Dream Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDreamThe Motor Dream Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheMotorDream#TheMotorDream

In the final episode of season two of the Motor Dream Podcast, we sit down with a true titan of  Australian motorsport: Tim Schenken. From his early days winning the 1964 Australian Hillclimb Championship to his rise through the European ranks, Tim’s journey is the stuff of legend. As one of only six Australians to stand on a Formula 1 podium, a feat achieved at the 1971 Austrian Grand Prix with Brabham, he solidified his place in racing history. We dive into his incredible success as a factory driver for Ferrari, where he claimed victory at the Nürburgring and Buenos Aires 1000km races alongside the legendary Ronnie Peterson, and explore his transition from the cockpit to car construction as the co-founder of Tiga Race Cars.<br /><br />The conversation also highlights Tim’s profound impact on the structure of modern racing. After returning to Australia in 1985, he became the backbone of Motorsport Australia, serving as the long-time Clerk of Course for the Australian Grand Prix and Race Director for the Supercars Championship. Even today, Tim remains a global authority as an FIA Platinum track inspector, fresh off his most recent assignment at the Macau Grand Prix. We wrap up the episode by discussing his enduring passion for the road, where Tim reveals the surprising vehicles that make up his ultimate "Dream Garage."<br /><br />Tim Schenken on the Rusty's Garage podcast: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/67UEBS3ukSDhejX2E3DQad?si=1245282bfb094026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://open.spotify.com/episode/67UEBS3ukSDhejX2E3DQad?si=1245282bfb094026</a><br /><br /><br />The Motor Dream Podcast Website: <a href="https://www.themotordream.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.themotordream.com.au</a><br /><br />The Motor Dream Podcast Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDream" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDream</a><br />The Motor Dream Podcast Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TheMotorDream" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.instagram.com/TheMotorDream</a><br /><br />#TheMotorDream

Formula 1's media presence is now a global powerhouse, but it remains a sport largely reported on by Europeans. Meet Mat Coch, one of just two Australians following the F1 circus full-time—and Australia's only fully accredited F1 journalist.<br /><br />Traveling from his base on the NSW Central Coast to every Grand Prix for over a decade, Mat has been a respected voice, serving as Speedcafe’s resident F1 analyst and recently stepping into the influential role of Editor-in-Chief for the longstanding news website, Planet F1. Discover how a boy from the suburbs of Adelaide, with virtually no interest in cars, had his world completely transformed by the arrival of the Australian Grand Prix, setting him on a passionate career path that now places him at the heart of F1’s global media.<br /><br />Despite his deep, consuming passion for Formula 1, he surprisingly admits he doesn't have a broad interest in cars as a whole. For him, his fascination is less about the machines and more about the competitive theatre of F1. Plus, we delve into his "Dream Garage" to find out which iconic cars have earned his genuine appreciation after witnessing them up close over the years.<br /><br />Follow Mat on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matcochf1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a><br />Planet F1 Website: <a href="https://www.planetf1.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.planetf1.com/</a><br /><br />The Motor Dream Podcast Website: <a href="https://www.themotordream.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.themotordream.com.au</a><br /><br />The Motor Dream Podcast Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDream" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDream</a><br />The Motor Dream Podcast Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TheMotorDream" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.instagram.com/TheMotorDream</a><br /><br />#TheMotorDream<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

The 2024 Bathurst 6 Hour was a record-setter, featuring the highest-ever outright finish by an all-female team in Bathurst history. But there was another history-making moment courtesy of young rotary specialist, Maisie Place. This episode tells the extraordinary story of the Moruya-based builder and racer who, at just 14, bought her first race car and began building Wankel engines. <br /><br />Maisie achieved a historic feat at Bathurst by solely building and preparing all three Mazda RX8s that started and finished Bathurst's Easter Enduro, highlighting the incredible talent that has propelled her to the top of the motorsport world. From her apprenticeship with a Mazda rotary specialist and mentorship from the legendary Allan Horsley, Maisie's dedication saw her racing in the RX8 Cup and taking her mechanical skills to global stages, including the Nürburgring and Watkins Glen.<br /><br />Now an ambassador for the RX8 Cup and running her own successful workshop, Maisie shares her passion for racing, her busy life juggling multiple categories, and her thoughts on the dramatic 2025 Bathurst 6 Hour. Get ready for an inspiring chat with one of the brightest talents in Australian motorsport, and find out what rotary icons make her ultimate dream garage.<br /><br />Follow Maisie on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaisiePlaceMotorsport" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maisieplace1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@maisieplacemotorsport" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok</a><br />Follow the RX8 Cup on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094201983869" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rx8cupseries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a><br />RX8 Cup Website: <a href="https://rx8cup.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://rx8cup.com.au/</a><br /><br />The Motor Dream Podcast Website: <a href="https://www.themotordream.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.themotordream.com.au</a><br /><br />The Motor Dream Podcast Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDream" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDream</a><br />The Motor Dream Podcast Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TheMotorDream" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.instagram.com/TheMotorDream</a><br /><br />#TheMotorDream