The Motor Dream Podcast

The 2026 Toyota GR Cup is shaping up to be the most competitive season to date, and with the penultimate round at Mount Panorama threatening to define the series, there’s no better time to sit down with the voice of the GR Cup: Brian Van De Wakker. Taking over the lead commentary role for the Supercars support program earlier this year, Brian is a widely trusted fixture in the Australian motorsport paddock. From cutting his teeth calling speedway karting on the NSW Central Coast to becoming a staple of the Bathurst 6 Hour broadcast and presenting for Fox Sports News, his journey to the microphone is a testament to his lifelong dedication to the sport.

In Episode 56, Brian steps away from his usual spot behind the desk to share his own story, including how a WIN News office romance led to meeting his motorsport-loving wife, Meg, and how his craft evolved under the guidance of industry heavyweights like Neil Crompton. While initially hesitant to be the one answering the questions, Brian delivers a fantastic interview packed with great stories about his early automotive experiences and his deep respect for the industry. Be sure to stick around for a fun twist at the end, too—we throw him under the bus by digging up a throwback to one of his very first broadcast calls from a project host Conor McNally worked on nearly 15 years ago!

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While the traditional road to Formula 1 often demands prohibitive budgets in European feeder series, Japan's flourishing motorsport ecosystem provides a fiercely competitive alternative. From Super Formula to the female-focused Kyojo Cup—which recently evolved into a tightly controlled, F4-spec open-wheeler category—Japan has become a vital springboard for rising international talent. In Episode 55, we explore this dynamic landscape with 22-year-old Sydney native Paige Raddatz, who is taking on her rookie season in the Kyojo Cup as part of a two-driver Australian contingent.

An eight-time Australian Ladies Karting Champion and Rotax Pro Tour history-maker, Paige joins us to reflect on her rapid transition from the Indian Formula 4 Championship to securing her drive with Fujisan Shizuoka Racing. Recorded just before she headed off for pre-season testing, we dive into her impressive career trajectory and the deep motorsport roots she shares with her father, David, and brother, Zac. From the family's deep-seated passion for Mazda MX5s to revealing her highly eclectic dream garage, Paige offers a fascinating look into her journey toward international racing success.

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The Motor Dream Podcast Website: https://www.themotordream.com.au

The Motor Dream Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDream
The Motor Dream Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheMotorDream

#TheMotorDream

Australia has a proud legacy of producing world-class motorcycle champions, but reaching the pinnacle of MotoGP requires young riders to make the ultimate leap: leaving home to prove themselves overseas. In Episode 54 of the Motor Dream Podcast, we sit down with 14-year-old Victorian prodigy Jackson Macdonald, who is doing exactly that. After trading local dirt tracks for MiniGP and spending two developmental years racing in Spain, Jackson has now taken his talents to Japan. He is currently turning heads and showcasing incredible maturity in the fiercely competitive Suzuka Sunday Series, battling it out on the tarmac in the Honda-supported International JGP-3 Cup.

Jackson isn’t navigating this intense junior pathway alone; he’s joined on the show by his dad and greatest supporter, Glenn, a former elite motocross competitor and team manager. Recorded shortly after a gruelling, rain-soaked round at Suzuka, the father-son duo opens up about the sacrifices required to climb the international racing ladder, why they ignored local critics to forge their own unique path, and their deeply rooted family passion for two wheels. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about chasing motorsport greatness—and stick around for a shared "dream garage" reveal that will definitely catch you by surprise!

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Jackson Macdonald Website: https://www.jacksonmacdonaldracing.com/

The Motor Dream Podcast Website: https://www.themotordream.com.au

The Motor Dream Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDream
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Following up on our recent discussions about the incredible surge of women in motorsport, Episode 53 of The Motor Dream Podcast shifts gears to the two-wheeled world with rising Australian Superbikes star, Tara Morrison. Raised in Adelaide by professional stunt rider parents, Tara's lifelong passion for motorcycles has rapidly translated into a history-making career. Since her ASBK Supersport 300 debut in 2022, she has quickly become a standout talent in a fiercely competitive class. Her impressive resume already boasts a 2024 podium at the FIM Intercontinental Games, a historic 2025 ASBK race win as the first female to achieve the feat in her class, and a wildcard entry in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship under the banner of legendary DJ Carl Cox’s motorsport team.

Beyond her international appearances, the 23-year-old stays relentlessly busy off the track as a road test rider and columnist for Australian Motorcycle News magazine. In this episode—recorded ahead of the second round of the shortened 2026 ASBK season—Tara breaks down her laser focus on capturing the Supersport 300 Championship title, fresh off a thrilling opening-round victory at Phillip Island. We also explore her incredible racing journey from a motorcycle-obsessed toddler to a paddock trailblazer, the fellow riders who inspire her to push the limits, and the fantastic machines that make up her ultimate two-wheeled 'dream garage'.

Tara Morrison is represented by the ND Network.

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The Motor Dream Podcast Website: https://www.themotordream.com.au

The Motor Dream Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDream
The Motor Dream Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheMotorDream

#TheMotorDream

The pipeline of New Zealand driving talent crossing the Tasman to dominate Australia’s premier touring car series is the stuff of motorsport legend. From Jim Richards capturing the first Kiwi championship in 1985 to the modern supremacy of Shane Van Gisbergen and current points leader Matt Payne, drivers from across the ditch have amassed a staggering 229 race wins in the Supercars era. For a nation of just over five million people, New Zealand consistently produces some of the most formidable competitors on the grid, making the Australian circuit an irresistible stepping stone for the next generation of racers hungry to add their names to that exclusive championship honour roll.

In this episode, we sit down with 21-year-old rising star Ayrton Hodson, who is eager to make his own mark in the Supercars paddock. Unlike many of his circuit-racing peers, Ayrton cut his teeth on the dirt track ovals of New Zealand, progressing from Ministocks to 410 Sprintcars—where he even squared off against SVG—before making a late but rapid transition to the tarmac. Now, he is tackling a massive 2026 double-duty schedule: embarking on his second Super2 season driving a Triple Eight-built Commodore for Matt Stone Racing, while simultaneously launching a rookie Aussie Racing Cars campaign with Corish Motorsports. Recorded earlier this season, we chat about Ayrton's rapid progression through the motorsport ranks, his speedway upbringing, and a Sprintcar-inspired dream garage that will definitely please fans who love to kick up some dirt.

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Ayrton Hodson Website: https://www.ayrtonhodson.com/

The Motor Dream Podcast Website: https://www.themotordream.com.au

The Motor Dream Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMotorDream
The Motor Dream Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheMotorDream

#TheMotorDream