The Motor Dream Podcast

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.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."Tim Schenken on the Rusty's Garage podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/67UEBS3ukSDhejX2E3DQad?si=1245282bfb094026The 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

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.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.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.Follow Mat on InstagramPlanet F1 Website: https://www.planetf1.com/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

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. 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.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.Follow Maisie on Facebook, Instagram and TikTokFollow the RX8 Cup on Facebook and InstagramRX8 Cup Website: https://rx8cup.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

This year's 47th Dakar Rally saw 806 competitors tackling the Saudi Arabian desert, with five Australians flying the flag, including eventual winner Daniel 'Chucky' Sanders and two-time winner Toby Price.Joining them was Mildura's Toby Hederics, who made his debut in the demanding Rally2 class with the BAS World KTM team. Hederics' goal was simply to reach the finish line in Shubaytah. He did that and more, not only conquering the gruelling twelve stages but also achieving an incredible top twenty outright finish and a top ten result in the Rally2 class.Toby's success is steeped in family heritage, following in the tyre tracks of his illustrious dad, John Hederics, who is considered by many to be Australia's version of Dakar legend Stéphane Peterhansel. Now, Toby is carving out his own niche in rally-raid, having already conquered the Finke and Hattah Desert Races. From growing up honing his craft on the Mildura family farm to his stunning Dakar performance, Toby is now eyeing a return to the Saudi desert in 2027. Join us as we explore the incredible Dakar debut of Toby Hederics and the rich legacy of Australian endurance rallying.Follow Toby on Facebook and InstagramHederics Racing Australia Website: https://hedericsracing.com/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

It's a rare career move: trading a successful microphone for a driving helmet. While athletes often transition easily into broadcasting, few presenters, commentators, or actors manage a successful role reversal to become professional racing drivers. Yet, names like Paul Newman, Patrick Dempsey, and homegrown talents like Neil Crompton and Grant Denyer have done just that. Now, you can add Kezia Dawn to that elite list.In a move that surprised many, Kezia called time on a highly successful news reporting and presenting career in 2024, uprooting her life to pursue professional racing in the United States and England.From her early fascination with cars growing up in Goulburn and joining a Porsche enthusiast group at 18, Kezia immersed herself in the world of motorsport while simultaneously building a powerhouse media career, working for all three major commercial free to air networks. It was this deep media network and her close proximity to the sport that convinced Kezia to take the ultimate plunge: moving overseas to race full-time in rallycross and even getting behind the wheel of special machines like a McLaren Senna GTR.Join us as we catch up with Kezia to discuss her bold career change, her undying passion for motorsport, and what it’s like living out her childhood dream.Follow Kezia on Facebook and InstagramKezia Dawn Website: https://keziadawn.com/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