Rusty's Garage

Chucky Sanders isn't afraid of attacking a challenge head on, but behind that toughness is a warm and welcoming smile that defines his character. They call him 'Chucky,' and as you'll discover in our conversation, he possesses the heart of a lion. He has carved his path as one of the world's best enduro motorbike athletes and has tackled the grueling Dakar Rally multiple times, and his results spe...

The gripping story of a battling privateer who backed himself, rolled the dice and took out a big loan to go racing and garnered the attention of some of legendary motorcycle racers. Marty Craggill’s family originally encouraged him to take up cycling, but a trip to watch a major motor racing event changed everything. He was hooked! This chat flows through how he went from driving a van round the...

The Phillip Island crash that looked unsurvivable, and the gritty road to recovery. How Marty lost feeling in his arm and had to adapt while coping with inner demons of doubt during a period where he was unlikely to ever ride a bike again! Plus, a chat about a trip to the United States and how he made a name for himself in the fiercely competitive American Superbike Championship. And the inspiring...

Following an unforgettable finish to the 2023 Australian Rally Championship, Harry Bates joins Rusty to discuss the unique intensity of battling his Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate, who just happens to be his brother Lewis, and how it all came down to the final stage of the season!  Harry also talks about his legendary co-driver Coral Taylor (who you can also find in the Garage library) and the part...

It's an exclusive conversation with none other than the 2023 Supercars Champion, Brodie Kostecki. Join us as Brodie takes us on a thrilling ride through his title-winning year, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the intense battles, strategic moves, and heart-stopping moments that defined his triumphant season. We dive deep into the final weekend of racing at the iconic Adelaide 500. Brodie shar...

Rusty was a massive fan of the British Touring Car Championship in the 90’s (he’s still got the VHS tapes) so when he arrived at Bathurst recently and saw Gabriele there, he had to chat with him. A star in karts, he had no real intention of going car racing! Some practice laps in an open wheeler changed that and Gabriele went all the way to Formula 1. Sadly the F1 cars he raced weren’t great for s...

The passionate Italian continues to share some great yarns with Rusty including his earliest recollections of the late Murray Walker who he first crossed paths with in F1. From Murray’s unmistakable calls in the BTCC to getting the chance to race the awesome DTM spec Alfa that left a lasting impression on Gabriele. And what he’s up to now, working with Hyundai in the TCR World Tour having shaped i...

Ryan returns to Rusty’s Garage ahead of the season finale in Adelaide. He reflects on that unforgettable Commodore 1-2 for the team at the end of the Holden era last year and what he thinks their chances are of a Mustang win this weekend having made the big switch to Ford for 2023. This is an incredibly candid chat with some measured observations around the forthcoming offshore parity tests that f...

As the motorsport world eagerly awaits the adrenaline-pumping return of F1 in 'Vegas' this weekend, we're also revving up for the high-octane excitement of the title-deciding round of Supercars in Adelaide next week. Broc Feeney joins us for it all! He etched his name into the record books last year by securing the final-ever win for the iconic Holden and Commodore. This young driver's journey has...

After lots of requests from listeners, Rusty catches up with Garry McCoy at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. They’ve commandeered the commentary box at Phillip Island for the convo before Garry heads off to mentor the next generation in the Oceania Junior Challenge.  It's a wide ranging chat, from how Garry initially wanted to pursue speedway before being catapulted into the 125cc World Champ...

The ‘Slide King’ explains the background of his nickname and how he made that trademark style work so well. Rusty and Garry chat through how Garry dealt with not winning a world title but knowing he was made of the right stuff. And what it was like moving to the World Superbike Championship when really he had unfinished business in what we now call MotoGP. Plus, the unforgettable moment he lead Tr...

One of the most successful Touring Car drivers in the modern era joins Rusty. Rob Huff is a race winner in British Touring Cars, he is the 2020 Scandinavian Touring Car champion and he was king of the world in this game back in 2012. Now, Huffy finds himself right in the mix to win the 2023 TCR World Tour moving to just one point from the lead after an epic night of racing at Sydney Motorsport Par...

The Bathurst winner and his son join Rusty in a chat for the generations... literally. The Bargwanna’s have been around Motorsport for a long time, we chart their history and relive Jason’s early years which involved taking big punts and often running on a tank filled with nothing more than pure enthusiasm. Those learnings still help him in business today and Ben is doing the hard yards just like...

It’s still raining outside and practice hasn’t started yet so Jabba & Jabba Junior (that will make sense as the conversation continues) are in their motorhome chatting around the table with Rusty. Recorded at Sandown and released in the lead-up to the Aussie rounds of the TCR World Tour at Sydney Motorsport Park and Bathurst, Rusty uncovers the plan to build on Ben’s international outings this...

After a successful Sunday, Dave Reynolds joined Rusty to review the drama filled Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500.  After 5 years, Dave was back on top of the podium and he celebrated in iconic fashion - as only Davey knows how - he steps through the race and the celebrations.  Plus, his open and honest take on reaching parity, the decision to depart Grove Racing and how he is feeling, his take on Matt...

With the bikes about to roar into life for the MotoGP Guru by Gryfyn Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Rusty is at Phillip Island. He’s joined for this special bonus episode of the Motorsport Brief by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, Travis Auld, on the eve of his first event since being appointed to the top job in July. Armed with an impressive CV from his time at the AFL, Travis is alr...

In the lead-up to the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island we have none other than the The voice of MotoGP. Nick Harris spent decades on the tour working as a commentator, journalist, in PR and amongst it all, he found time to become a best selling author. You’ll be spellbound by the stories of working with the all-time greats in a career that takes in both a golden era of 500cc racing and almo...

Get ready to shift up a gear with the one and only Nick Harris whose calls of MotoGP are legendary. He turns to 4-wheels as well with a stint in Formula One working with Williams during the 90’s. From dealing with the tragic loss of one of the sports icons, Ayrton Senna to winning world titles with Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve. Plus, a chat with Nick wouldn’t be complete without some Barry Sh...

An in depth look 2023 Australian MotoGP™ with a world champion in Supersport, a race winner in MotoGP and expert commentator, Chris Vermeulen.  Rusty and Chris talk the season so far, wrap up Indonesia, preview Jack Miller's chances and what else to expect from an action packed weekend at the Island, plus the boys share Barry Sheene stories.  All that, plus your fast hit of Motorsport news, Petit...

From the incredible high of Shane van Gisbergen and Richie Stanaway winning Bathurst, to the gut wrenching story of team mates Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup going so close.  The Red Bull Ampol Racing Team Boss, Mark Dutton steps through the details of the Bathurst win, including what it means to win this one, on a special anniversary of the Great Race, as SVG prepares to bid farewell.  Plus, what...

Four-time Bathurst 1000 winner and 7-time V8 Supercars champion turned Triple Eight team principal Jamie Whincup is still chasing the winning feeling as he heads to Bathurst. Fresh from a Sandown 500 victory with Broc Feeney, Whincup is in transit to Mount Panorama. He joined Rusty as he prepares for co-driving duties at the 60th anniversary of The Great Race.  From special events around the anniv...

MotoGP is in the spotlight and soon it will be back in our corner of the world, so it’s a timely catch-up on Rusty's Garage.  After something of a challenging year thus far, having switched from Ducati to KTM, the ‘Thriller Miller’ tells us to keep the faith and why he’s confident of a good showing in his home race. Plus fatherhood, a special bike he’s acquired for keepsake and much more. It's a u...

Shell V-Power Racing wildcard driver Simona de Silvestro is back and she will turn heads at the Bathurst 1000 in her Yellow Mustang with Kai Allen.  Ahead of her first Bathurst 1000 start since 2019, the energetic Simona de Silvestro joins Rusty to discuss the opportunity with DJR, the preparation and the Great Race itself. Plus, a little look ahead to the 2026 Winter Olympics, and what might be p...

Supercars team owner, successful business owner and very proud family man. Charlie Schwerkolt has rolled up his sleeves and hasn’t been afraid to roll the dice a bit either. And it’s paid off. Join Rusty and Charlie from his Gold Coast garage, as they discuss Charlie’s story - and it is more wide reaching than just Motorsport. There are small business lessons, big business learnings, cars, plenty...

The full story of grit and determination from Team 18 Supercars team owner, Charlie Schwerkolt.  The chat is flowing from Charlie's Gold Coast Garage - one of the coolest you could imagine. Rusty and Charlie step discuss rowing his own boat in the Supercars pitlane and salivate over some seriously cool cars parked around them in the garage. Plus, a look back on his decision to bring out a Champcar...