DustTrails, by RallySport Magazine

In part two of our chat with Western Australian event director, Ross Tapper, he talks about tarmac.

From bringing the popular side of the sport to the west coast, to the many events of today, he highlights just how it gets off the ground each year.

However, it hasn’t been all positives. Close to the 20th anniversary of Peter Brock's tragic passing, Tapper provides a raw, behind-the-scenes account of the aftermath.

He details exactly what it was like managing rally headquarters on that day in 2006, as the room – and the entire country – struggled to process the shocking news of the motorsport icon's death.

Listen to the full interview on the DustTrails Podcast, available now.

Ross Tapper is one of Australia's most experienced event directors, having taken charge of Western Australia's Forest Rally an incredible 37 times.

In the latest episode of our DustTrails podcast series, Tapper sits down to unpack a staggering 50-year career in the sport. From holding major operational roles during the golden era of Rally Australia to pioneering tarmac rallying on the west coast, his motorsport resume is unmatched.

Despite a half-century of navigating the sport's highest highs and lowest lows, the veteran event director makes one thing clear: his love for the sport remains unabated, and he shows no signs of slowing down.

After bursting onto the scene as the winner of the inaugural Daihatsu Challenge, Western Australian Leigh Hynes quickly turned heads with standout performances at both Rally Australia and Rally New Zealand.

Remarkably, while still only in his early twenties, Hynes earned a dream opportunity to test drive a factory Lancia ahead of Rally Australia, putting him on the cusp of far bigger things with the Italian brand.

In this episode of DustTrails, Hynes reflects on that whirlwind period of his career, the massive opportunities that could have come to fruition, and the stories of the remainder of his international rallying journey.

Like many Flying Finns, Pasi Hagström was a rising rally talent in the 1990s. When a full-time factory seat didn't materialise, he didn't let it stop him.

Instead, he pivoted to become one of the most renowned WRC test drivers with Subaru.

Speaking in late 2025, Pasi reflects on his unforgettable appearances at the Otago Rally in the 2000s and his enduring love for the iconic Dunedin event.

He also shares incredible stories from his career on the WRC stages, detailing his unique relationship with friend Marcus Grönholm and his time working alongside Australian star Chris Atkinson.

DustTrails is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> ⁠https://rallysportmag.com/

On this episode of RallySport Magazine's DustTrails Podcast, we head to Tasmania to speak to Les Walkden, one of the real unsung heroes in Australian rallying.

DustTrails is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network

With a nickname like ‘Dinta’, you’d expect that David Officer started his rallying career in the Colin McRae mode, but that’s not the case.

From early days rallying Mini Coopers and even a 1960 DeSoto, the Victorian quickly made a name for himself by winning the 1983 Victorian Rally Championship.

He followed that up a year later by winning the national championship as a privateer, driving a Mitsubishi Galant against ex-works Fiat Abarths and Ford Escorts.

A two-time Alpine Rally and Australian Safari winner, ‘Dinta’ sat down with RallySport Magazine’s Peter Whitten for our latest DustTrails podcast.

Dinta talks of that successful 1984 season, and of losing the 1983 ARC by just a single point, while also going into detail about a drive for Holden in the 1995 Round Australia Trial that was scuppered at the last minute.

Still getting behind the wheel occasionally in his Galant, and now a key member of the RallySafe team, he speaks candidly about a brilliant career – backed all the way by his just as enthusiastic wife, Kate.

Enjoy Dinta Officer’s story, told by the man himself. 

DustTrails is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/

It’s 1994 and some of the best Australian rally talent are converging on Canberra for the inaugural final of the Australian Rallysport News Junior Challenge.

The Challenge was a talent search program aimed at pitting the best young drivers from each state against one another, and over almost a decade, unearthed many top-notch drivers.

Cody Crocker and Greg Foletta won that inaugural year, but how did the program start and who were some of the other big name competitors?

We ask Peter Whitten about the program and also discuss what was planned for the ill-fated Pedders Super Challenge in 2002.

Across almost 50 minutes, this episode covers many stories of the time.

We also ask – would the ARN Junior Challenge work today?

DustTrails is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/

To finish off a stellar chat with Simon Evans, we rejoin at a critical point in his career.

Toyota had just left the sport, and there is a new challenge incoming in the form of a return to production-based rally cars.

The following two seasons in 2009 and 2010 would help cement his legacy as one of the best drivers in Australian history, and there was more to come… not least a 2016 season with its fair share of memories, accidents and controversy.

Evans tells it like it is and wears his heart on his sleeve, as he has always done.

DustTrails is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/

Part two of our podcast with Simon Evans kicks into gear right away as he rejoins Peter Whitten to talk about fighting at the top of the Australian Rally Championship.

Learn about the ‘pizza car’ in his debut outright season of 2001 and uncover the heartbreak and emotion of the Rally of Melbourne in 2002.

You’ll then share in the glory when he broke an amazing drought for privateers in 2003 before being signed as a factory driver for Toyota.

What were the Group N Prototype Corollas like to drive, and how did the development pan out with the world-first S2000 Corolla?

Hear all these stories and more!

DustTrails is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/

The DustTrails Podcast returns as we speak to popular four-time Australian Rally Champion Simon Evans.

In part one of three, we go right back to the start where Evans began his career in a Holden Commodore.

RallySport Magazine’s Peter Whitten asks about the one-make Corolla Cup series and its subsequent rewards, followed by the impressive Volkswagens he drove in Australia and overseas in 1999 and 2000.

Evans speaks openly about the Volkswagen program, its dubious funding, and its abrupt end.

It’s an episode not to be missed.

DustTrails is produced for the Motorsport Podcast Network by RallySport Magazine >> https://rallysportmag.com/