Veteran Tasmanian racer Andrew Miedecke is the special guest on the 90th episode of the Grassroots Racing podcast. In a chat with hosts Darren Smith and Garry O'Brien, he opens up about his long journey in motorsport, from watching Stirling Moss and Sir Jack Brabham at Longford to becoming a respected driver across various disciplines.
From Tasmania to the World Stage
Young Andrew fell in love with racing when his father took him to Longford. He even skipped school to watch the likes of Stirling Moss and Sir Jack Brabham. By age 15, he was working as a timekeeper. His passion for speed led him to Formula Ford in 1974, where he finished second in the Driver to Europe series. That success paved the way to Formula 2, Atlantics/Pacifics, and Formula 3.
The nickname 'Mad Andy' stuck after a series of frightening accidents, including a crash in Macau in 1980 and hitting a billboard at Pukekohe during the 1984 New Zealand Grand Prix. The tag was given by rival Steve Millen and has remained ever since. Yet his bravery on track never faded.
Switch to Touring Cars and Bathurst Glory
On the advice of the late Barry 'Bo' Seton, Andrew switched to touring cars with Ford Sierra Cosworth. The standout moment was Bathurst 1987, where he took pole position and led the cream of Europe for a period. He also raced alongside Peter Brock in some long-distance events, and with Allan Moffat and Stone Brothers Racing. In 1997, he finished third at Bathurst with Mark Larkham.
After his touring car era, Andrew remained active in racing, competing in Carrera Cup, GT cars, Touring Car Masters, and now historic cars. Outside motorsport, he heads Miedecke Motor Group, a dealership network he started in 1982 that now employs over 100 staff across Port Macquarie and Taree, representing Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, MG, GWM, Ram, BYD, and Jeep.
The Grassroots Racing podcast has reached its 90th episode and continues to bring inspiring stories from various motorsport figures. For racing fans, listening to Andrew Miedecke's story is a way to delve into the history and evolution of the sport through the eyes of a participant.
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