“If you’ve got talent and the right attitude, I’ll give you a go,” was the dreammaker, Garry Rogers’ mantra. But now, the Australian motorsport community is draped in an overwhelming sense of loss, a silence that falls heavy and complete over the racetracks that Rogers turned into a theater of dreams. His passing at the age of 80 is more than a loss of a Supercars Hall of Famer; it is a departure of an original, an unmatched personality whose very essence was woven into the fabric of Australian racing for over 6 decades.

Rogers was a pioneer, transforming his humble origins as a racer in Appendix J Holdens and Sports Sedans into the founder of Garry Rogers Motorsports (GRM), one of the nation’s most enduring and respected teams. His relentless pursuit of excellence, evidenced by his team’s famous Bathurst 1000 victory in 2000 with Garth Tander and Jason Bargwanna, was always underpinned by a rare authenticity that resonated with fans and competitors alike.

The heartbreak of his passing was felt by those closest to him in the motorsport fraternity, including Leigh Diffey, the celebrated voice of NASCAR, whose personal connection to the Rogers family shone through in his heartfelt message. Diffey wrote on X, “This is a truly sad day. His daughter Krissie texted me with the news & it was a gut punch. Garry’s passion, enthusiasm, sense of humor, ability to give young drivers opportunities & make them stars & most of all his general care & interest in people will be so sadly missed. 💔” 

GRM also issued a statement, stating, “Today we’re mourning the passing of our founder and leader Garry Rogers. But more than that we’re celebrating his incredible life. His mantra was always to press on and get on with things, and that’s exactly what we will be doing… Garry was a strong supporter of the Fred Hollows Foundation – if you’d like to donate in memory of Garry, we’d be so very appreciative. Our thoughts are with Garry’s family, his wife Kaye, son Barry and daughters Michelle and Krissie. Rest in peace, Garry Rogers.”

Rogers was not just a boss, but a mentor, a father figure, and a true friend who possessed the rare ability to be tough when needed, yet always led with profound empathy. The list of drivers who launched their careers under the GRM banner is a Who’s Who of Australian motorsport, including Tander, 4-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup, and IndyCar and former Supercars star Scott McLaughlin.

Beyond the V8 Supercars circuit, Rogers was also one of the few Australian team owners to engage with American stock car racing genuinely. GRM’s involvement with Chevrolet NASCAR race cars in the late 1980s and early 1990s at the Calder Park Thunderdome’s short-lived AUSCAR and NASCAR series showcased his entrepreneurial spirit and desire to explore new forms of motorsport.

A particularly notable instance was at the 1988 Bathurst 1000, where Rogers sought a high-profile co-driver to help secure sponsorship for his Holden VL Commodore. While his original target was Racing with Mario Andretti, Andretti was unavailable, but suggested his nephew, John Andretti. This connection saw John make his first appearance at Mount Panorama, crashing out on cold tires, but making a genuine link between Rogers’ operation and a famous American racing dynasty.

Rogers’ unmistakable Iarrikin personality and wicked sense of humor were as famous as his race results. From dressing up in outrageous costumes, including as a member of ABBA to celebrate the Swedish heritage of his Volvo S60 race cars, to his famously blunt, unfiltered one-liners that could defuse tension or inject hilarity into a serious discussion.

Rogers’ monumental impact extended to his later years, as he became an instrumental force behind the scenes in the establishment and growth of new categories like TCR Australia and the powerful S5000 open-wheel series. His legacy isn’t just his team’s victories, but his unwavering dedication to providing a platform for the next generation of drivers, engineers, and mechanics, a tradition GRM, now run by his son Barry and daughters, has vowed to continue. The motorsport world will press on, as he always instructed, but the spirit of the lovable, outspoken legend will remain an enduring inspiration.

Racing community unites to honor the true pioneer of Australian racing

As the Australian motorsport and TCR community mourns, WSC President Marcello Lotti highlighted this tireless commitment, saying, “Garry has been a legend in Australian motorsport and has kept on working with endless passion until the end. He has been an example for all of us, and we must thank him for what he has done for motorsport in general and for TCR Australia of which he has been the greatest supporter.”

Lee Holdsworth, who raced for Rogers between 2005 and 2010, wrote, “Gaz you played such an huge part in my career and I’ll forever be grateful for everything you did for me and my family. You taught me that when times are tough, you pick yourself up and get on with it. That reward comes from hard work and dedication. I have so much respect for you and your family. Thank you for your friendship and for being an incredible mentor – I’ll miss you a lot.”

Reflecting on the monumental mentorship, McLaughlin’s emotional tribute sums it up, “If it wasn’t for Garry Rogers I wouldn’t be where I am today, he gave me and so many others a shot to make it, good or bad. He loved a Jameson, fair to say I’ll have a couple for you today. Gonna miss ya, but I know you would be telling me, ‘Scotty – stop with the soppy crap and get on with the job right, good.'” 

Garth Tander also expressed his tribute to the titan of the industry, stating, “A sad day for Australian Motorsport. A titan of the industry, that knew how to have fun while being as hard as nails. Learnt so much from this bloke, that I still use today. RIP GR.”

The roar of his legend, a sound he created with his own two hands, will echo in the Australian motorsport valley forever.