The Motor Dream Podcast

Beast Productions

You wake up one day, check your bank balance and suddenly discover you're an instant bilionnaire! Then you receive an email to say that you can buy any cars or bikes you like, but you're only allowed three in your 'dream garage'. What would you choose to have?Welcome to The Motor Dream Podcast, where host Conor McNally chats with established racing drivers, riders and personalities within the motorsport and motoring industry, along with respected figures and personalities in the media about what their dream garage would be, as well as their passion and interest for all things motoring.#themotordream

  1. Episode 49 -Tabitha Ambrose

    5d ago

    Episode 49 -Tabitha Ambrose

    In this episode of the Motor Dream Podcast, we dive into one of Australia's most influential motorsport dynasties: the Ambrose family. The legacy began in 1973 when patriarch Ross Ambrose co-founded Van Diemen, which became the world’s leading Formula Ford chassis manufacturer. His son, Marcos Ambrose, carried the torch onto the global stage, translating early Formula Ford success into back-to-back Supercars Championships (2003–04) before heading to the US to conquer NASCAR with two historic Cup Series road-course victories. Yet, despite an enviable CV of titles, wins, and poles, one crowning achievement always eluded the family patriarchs—a victory at the legendary Mount Panorama. Enter the next generation. We sit down with rising star Tabitha Ambrose, who is carving out her own formidable path in the sport. After growing up on the NASCAR circuit, Tabitha returned to Australia, rapidly climbing the ranks from karts to Excel racing, and eventually into the Australian Formula Ford Series—a full-circle moment driving under the iconic Pirtek banner. Tabitha joins us to talk about her sensational breakout season, including how she officially broke the family's Bathurst hoodoo with a Class B1 victory at the Bathurst 6 Hour. Plus, she shares insights into her ambitious 2026 campaign, her love for historic machinery, and why her passion for motorsport now has her eyeing the dirt tracks of sprintcar racing. Follow Tabitha on Facebook and Instagram Follow Marcos Ambrose Motorsport on Facebook and Instagram 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

    1h 31m
  2. Episode 48 - Dr Sammy Diasinos

    May 27

    Episode 48 - Dr Sammy Diasinos

    From the moment Colin Chapman bolted wings onto the Lotus 49B in 1968, aerodynamics permanently reshaped the landscape of Formula 1, turning visionary designers like Adrian Newey and Gordon Murray into motorsport icons. In this episode, we chart the incredible journey of Sydney’s own Dr. Sammy Diasinos, who turned his childhood obsession with F1 into a glittering international engineering career. After cutting his teeth on aerospace engineering at UNSW, Sammy realized his ultimate dream in 2006, breaking into the pinnacle of motorsport. Over the next seven years, he served as a pivotal CFD engineer during Toyota's final podium-clinching seasons, navigated the grid with Williams, and weathered the dramatic team transitions at Caterham. Now back on Australian soil, Sammy continues to push the absolute limits of speed and physics. From securing land speed records with UNSW’s solar car to masterminding the aerodynamics of RP968—the dominant, record-shattering Porsche 968 that owns Sydney Motorsport Park—his expertise remains in high demand. When he isn't shaping the bodywork of elite machinery like the supercharged Spartan supercar, he’s inspiring the next generation as a lecturer at Macquarie University and dissecting the modern grid as a premier F1 media analyst. Dynamic Aero Solutions Website: https://www.dynamicaerosolutions.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

    1h 8m
  3. Episode 46 - Dylan O'Keefe

    Apr 22

    Episode 46 - Dylan O'Keefe

    From his 2014 debut in the Victorian Porsche 944 Challenge to the peak of the 2025 Carrera Cup Australia, Dylan O’Keeffe’s journey has been defined by grit and precision. Episode 46 of The Motor Dream Podcast tracks the dramatic shift in the 2025 standings, where a "disastrous" run for defending champion Harri Jones opened the door for O’Keeffe. After eight attempts at the title since 2016, the 28-year-old Melburnian finally secured his maiden national championship through a series of well measured drives for GWR and RAM Motorsport, proving that a decade within the Porsche pyramid was the ultimate training ground for success. Beyond the sprint races, we dive into Dylan’s remarkable endurance pedigree, including his recent Pro-Am class victory at the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour. We sit down with the champion to discuss his motorsport-steeped upbringing, his brief but wild international sojourn in the TCR World Tour, and the evolving partnership with Garth Walden. To wrap things up, Dylan reveals a "euro-centric" dream garage that balances his Porsche roots with a dash of playboy flair. It’s an inside look at a driver who has become a foundational pillar of the Australian motor racing scene. Follow Dylan on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube Follow GWR Australia on Facebook and Instagram Dylan O'Keefe Website: https://dylanokeeffe.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

    1h 4m
  4. Episode 44 - Cody McKay

    Mar 15

    Episode 44 - Cody McKay

    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 YouTube Follow Chicane Motorsports on Instagram and Facebook Chicane Motorsports Website: https://www.chicanemotorsports.com.au/ 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

    1h 57m
  5. Episode 43 - Elizabeth Blackstock

    Mar 1

    Episode 43 - Elizabeth Blackstock

    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 Bluesky Follow Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys on Instagram, Substack and TikTok Elizabeth Blackstock Website: https://elizabeth-blackstock.com/ Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys Website: https://www.deadlypassionsterriblejoys.com/ Listen to Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys on Spotify 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

    1h 45m
  6. Episode 42 - Tim Schenken

    12/24/2025

    Episode 42 - Tim Schenken

    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=1245282bfb094026 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

    1h 44m

About

You wake up one day, check your bank balance and suddenly discover you're an instant bilionnaire! Then you receive an email to say that you can buy any cars or bikes you like, but you're only allowed three in your 'dream garage'. What would you choose to have?Welcome to The Motor Dream Podcast, where host Conor McNally chats with established racing drivers, riders and personalities within the motorsport and motoring industry, along with respected figures and personalities in the media about what their dream garage would be, as well as their passion and interest for all things motoring.#themotordream

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