SMARTIES RACING
Why the Name?
Michelle and Michael often joked about their common first initial and the connotations with rap music (Eminem) and hard shelled chocolate (M&Ms). With both Michelle and Michael having a background in the white collar workforce (science and IT), the joke morphed to them being referred to as “Smarties”. When Michael decided to set-up a website for their motorsport endeavours he decided to roll with the joke, and although it will never formally be known as such, Smarties Racing was born.
Due to the lack of interest both Michelle and Michael have in rap music, it has been decided not to accept sponsorship from Eminem or any of his record labels. For the exact opposite reason (far too much interest in the product), sponsorship from Mars and Nestle will also be turned down. It is likely sponsorship from Toblerone would be accepted, but the sheer volume of chocolate and the resulting inability of Michelle and Michael to be involved in motorsport would make that an expensive, short-lived venture.
RACING & OFFICIATING
IT BEGAN WITH A CAR
In mid-2023 Michelle suggested to Michael that he should get a car that’s more about fun that practicality. There were thoughts about cars from the 1960s and even some about cars from the 1970s, but Michael didn’t want to spend too much and the cars he wanted either needed significant work or were too expensive. Ultimately Michael decided that an Austin 7 could be fun. This turned out to be a life changing decision.
AUSTIN 7 CLUB
When the President of the Austin 7 Club, Len Kerwood, worked out that Michael worked with computers for a living he quickly co-opted Michael into the Historic Winton sub-committee. Michael was asked to help with the Paddock Office operations as they were quite computerised and there was significant potential for additional automation to be implemented.
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
With his new role at Historic Winton, Michael decided to get his motorsport officials licence. Starting with AASA (as that is the sanctioning body used by Historic Winton) and then quickly following it up with a Motorsport Australia officials licence, Michael decided to get some trackside experience to so he was prepared for Historic Winton. Not knowing what to do, Michael put his name down to flag at the Victorian State Race Series event at Sandown International Raceway in February 2024. As a member of the CFA he also though he’d try a Fire/Rescue role and did this at PIARC’s April Access event at Calder Park in April 2024.
STEALING A RACE CAR
By early 2025 Michelle had started joking that she was a motorsport widow as Michael spent so many weekends officiating. Michelle had also joked that she needs a race car so she can wave at Michael as she roars past the flag post he’s stationed at.
After helping to tow a number of vehicles back from AOMC’s Festival of Motoring at Cruden Farm to Austin 7 Heaven, Michelle ended up sitting in a race car and commented that she fits well. This quickly evolved into jokes about her racing it which then became a serious suggestion.
NO STOPPING HER
Michelle started spending Friday afternoons at Austin 7 Heaven making sure the car would look good for her debut at the 48th Historic Winton. She’d been assured by many that the car was in fantastic mechanical condition and was good to go; the parade laps at Historic Winton would be a good chance to test the car and maybe it could get entered in one of the Regularity events.
Upon arrival at Winton Motor Raceway, Michelle rolled the car off the trailer, started it up and took it for her a drive around the paddock. This was the first time she’d get to change gears whilst the car was running. Thankfully there was plenty of open space and not many people as when she put her foot on the brakes to stop nothing happened. It was back to Austin 7 Heaven to rebuild the master cylinder.
...AND SO IT BEGINS
In July 2025, BMW Drivers Club Melbourne was kind enough to allow Michelle to do some parade laps at Sandown International Raceway. Although entered in the normal parade laps it was determined the car wasn’t fast enough to keep up with the modern cars and she was permitted to do 2 or 3 laps at her own pace.
This led to the purchase of a helmet and other safety gear and Michelle’s motorsport journey had officially begin.
OUR GOALS
MISSION
Although Smarties Racing was started for fun, Michelle and Michael want others to experience the fun of motorsport.
Both Michelle and Michael are constantly looking for was to support women of all ages to experience historic motorsport. All forms of motorsport are fun, but historic motorsport can be relatively inexpensive and as most drivers value their car more than the win it’s a safer environment than many other categories. By using their contacts and experience Michelle and Michael promote and encourage women to join this traditionally male sport.
Michael is also passionate about officiating at motorsport events. Without officials, motorsport cannot happen. From flag marshals to recovery teams; fire/rescue squads to grid marshals; race control to event organisers; there’s bound to be a role that suits the skills and interests of most people.
