A world enduro trailblazer and a late road racing favourite were celebrated at the F1 Australian Grand Prix, as the Hall of Fame added five new names and a championship-winning machine
The late road racing star Ken Blake and world enduro champion Shane Watts were inducted into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix on Thursday, March 5.
Watts’ enduro CV is outstanding and includes being the first Australian to win a world enduro title in 1997 and then blazing to class and outright honours in the 1998 International Six Days Enduro in Traralgon—near his hometown of Maffra—on a KTM 125cc two-stroke. He then made a name for himself in the ultra-competitive American arena, riding a variety of models to prove his mettle.
When asked how he managed to build such an incredible career, Watts said he “did it the hard way”.
“The journey from being a simple kid from out Maffra to getting across the world and end up winning a world championship was one I look back on with pride.
“It was about the good ol’ Aussie spirit and saying I’m not going to stop. A lot of resolve, a lot of tenacity – quite the journey really. I’m very humbled and proud to be up on this stage.
“Racing had its ups and downs, like the usual flow of life, and although I had lots of injuries it was about getting back on the bike and keep charging forward and moving onto the next battle.
“Today is a huge achievement, and I’m I’m lucky enough that I’ve got my parents and one of my children here today, which is extra special. Being inducted into the Motorsport Hall of Fame is magnificent, but to have your parents proud of you and being able to inspire your children is equally as special.”
And his advice for the next generation of enduro racers? “It’s an old cliché, but everyone says go out and have fun. It’s really what you need to do: savour the moment.”
Blake’s place in Australian road racing history was sealed by giant-killing performances, highlighted by his famous victory over world champion Giacomo Agostini in the Australian 500 TT at Laverton Airbase, Victoria, in February 1976.
Also inducted were record-breaking seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup, who became eligible after stepping down from active competition and remains principal of Triple Eight Race Engineering; leading official and entrepreneur Garry Connelly AM, who was crucial to the formation of Rally Australia and has served as Australia’s highest ranking international official for 20 years, including roles on the FIA World Motorsport Council and as chair of F1 stewards; and Top Fuel drag racing team owner Santo Rapisarda, a winner of more than 12 national titles. Sir Jack Brabham’s Formula 1 world championship-winning Repco Brabham BT19 also entered the Hall of Fame as the first racing car to be honoured, becoming the 100th inductee to mark the centenary of Brabham’s birth.
The Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame is the highest honour in Australian motorsport. It is an exclusive honour-roll made up of less than one inductee for each of the 125 years motorsport has occurred in Australia.
