Stoner elevated as new Hall of Fame inductees revealed

A touched Casey Stoner admits he “does not feel worthy” of being elevated to Legend status as David Sera, Chris Matheson, Chad Reed and John Sidney have all been recognised as the latest inductees of the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

The annual tradition on the Thursday of the Australian Grand Prix continued with the new inductees revealed at a special presentation on stage at Albert Park.

Legend – Casey Stoner

One of Australia’s best ever on two wheels, Casey Stoner has joined illustrious company having been upgraded to Legend status.

As a result Stoner joins an exclusive club alongside the very best such as fellow world champions Sir Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, and Mick Doohan.

In the space of just six years, Stoner rode into the history books as one of the best ever to take on MotoGP.

He famously rode Ducati to its first title in 2007 before moving to Honda and also tasting the ultimate at the first time of asking in 2011.

All up took 38 Grand Prix victories from 2006-2012, highlighted by six straight wins in front of his adoring fans at Phillip Island.

Doohan was on hand to welcome Stoner to the Legend’s club and the 21st century star was shocked by the honour.

“You grow up watching these great people who paved the way and Mick was someone I looked up to immensely and I don’t feel like I achieved anything like what he did or the other racers,” Stoner said on stage with his family watching on.

“So to be inducted into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame was something I was very proud of and cherished immensely.

“Now to get this status is something I don’t feel worthy of.”

Having retired at just 27 back in 2012, Stoner admitted there have been some health issues of late, but was thrilled to say he has recently jumped back on the bike.

“It is something that will never go away and driving into the circuit brings back memories and excitement,” he said.

“Motorsport in general and not just motor cycling is something I have loved and always will.

“Being back on the bike after some health issues was an amazing feeling so I am back enjoying what I love.”

When asked to pick the top memories from his short, but successful MotoGP career, Stoner said there was not one moment that stood out, but the simple feeling of defying odds and expectations to be the best in the world.

“There were lots of highlights but its all the difficult moments through my career when teams, sponsors or manufacturers turned their backs on us or did not believe us, so its the constant fight to keep dragging yourself back up and keep going when everything was lost,” he said.

“Then to fight my way to MotoGP and show what we could do at a factory team.”

Leo Geoghegan 

Leo Geoghegan has become the first of his famous family to be induced into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

The younger brother of Ian “Pete” Leo carved out his own successful career winning the Australian GT, Formula Junior, Formula 2 and most importantly the Gold Star Drivers Championships in the sixties and early seventies.

One of the biggest Aussie open-wheel stars of his era, three-time F1 world champion Jim Clark implored Leo to come to Europe where he felt the Aussie would be a “top six” driver.

He also took part in the Great Race on 11 occasions and scored two podium driving with one each for the leading Ford and Holden teams.

His daughter was on hand to be presented and she was brought to tears.

Jess Gardiner, Tayla Jones, Jemma Wilson 

Jess Gardiner, Tayla Jones and Jemma Wilson have dominated the Women’s International Six Day Enduro together, so it was only right they entered the fall of game together.

Both Gardner and Jones have stood on the top step of the gruelling event, while all three impressively took all the trophies on offer in Slovakia in 2015.

The Women’s International Six Day Enduro pushes competitors to the limit as they complete a series of trials – more than 250 unique kilometres each day with a motocross on Day Six. All up they do 1400 kilometres in total.

And their story is far from over.

“Actually Jess just talked me into doing Italy where we can bring home another gold medal,” Jones said.

“We have been trying the last couple of years, so we will go for our seventh world title.”

David Sera

As Australia’s most prolific Karter, David Sera is a worthy entry to the Hall of Fame at just 36.

All up Sera has been crowned a national champion 18 times and 56 times a state champion.

Despite this success, he has not gone beyond karting, but still carved a career from the discipline and most importantly gives back by coaching youngsters.

He has raced and won around the world against the likes of Charles Leclerc and Mark Winterbottom and at 36 recently hung up the helmet.

“I am very proud and my family are here,” he said.

“Karting has been very good to me and I am very fortunate.

“Some people are disappointed I did not make a career in motor racing, but I am very fortunate.

“I am quite speechless to be honest.”

Chris Matheson

Top Fuel drag racing two-wheel legend Chris Matheson was also appropriately recognised.

Recently and incredibly Matheson at 63 became the first to break the six second barrier for the quarter mile – a feat equivalent to running the four minute mile.

Across a storied career he has scored eight championships, 50 wins, 70 podiums and 60 top qualifying performances.

It has been far from easy having survived a 379km/h crash, which is claimed to be the fastest where a rider has survived.

He has now retired, but left a massive mark on drag racing.

“I am very humbled and thankful and I could not get here without my team and family,” Matheson said.

“The challenge of everything about it attracted me.

“Competing there is nothing like and right into the technical things, so it was a great all round challenge.

“I am past my point of riding, but hopefully this inspires more young people to get into Top Fuel riding.”

Chad Reed

Chad Reed was also another famous two-wheel figure to get into the hall of fame having been one of the best ever on dirt.

Reed twice became a world AMA Supercross champion and despite battling injuries he still won on three continents for a total of 19 championships. 

Reed was not present at the awards, but is still more than a worthy inductee.

John Sidney 

When the Thudnerdome reigned, John Sidney was one of the biggest names as his team ruled the ovals.

Sidney’s team was at the cutting edge of oval racing down under, introducing pit strategy as Max Dumesny and Barry Graham guided the Valvoline backed team to glory.

Having started out racing state production car titles and eventually sprintcars, it was as an engineer and owner where he enjoyed his most success.

It was not until last year aged 80 when he finally closed the doors on John Sidney Racing.

“Winning was all that mattered to me and second place was no good and I was a little pissed off,” he joked on stage.

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