With the final round of the 2025 Australian Formula RX8 Championship just a week away, all eyes are on Ross “Freight Train” Forbes as he powers into Phillip Island in a strong position, sitting 5th outright in the National Championship and 1st outright in the Rotary Masters Championship

It’s been a phenomenal season for Forbes, who has demonstrated both speed and consistency across the championship in Odin Motorsport Australia RX-8.

With five top-ten finishes across some of Australia’s most iconic tracks—Mount Panorama (Bathurst), Queensland Raceway, and Sandown International Raceway—Forbes has firmly established himself as a championship contender and a fan favourite.

Driving the unmistakable Gloria Jean’s Orange Rocket, the car has been a standout on and off the track.

Proudly supported by Paul and Karin Hollings of Gloria Jean’s Queanbeyan and Tuggeranong, the team has delivered a high-performance machine that has stayed competitive in every round.

Built by Lee Gorton and meticulously race-prepared by renowned race car builder Stephen Mclaine of McLaine Motorsport (West Gosford), the RX8 has proven to be a reliable and potent package throughout the season. Forbes has also been backed by a dedicated crew, with Steven Lynch as team manager, Ben Thomson, and John Rezzetti serving as his No.1 mechanics at each round—integral to his campaign success.

“Winning isn’t about finishing first in every race—it’s about consistency and learning how to perform in all conditions,” says Forbes.

“We’ve built something really special this year, and we’re heading to Phillip Island, ready to finish strong.”

With just one round to go, Forbes heads to Phillip Island (October 3rd–5th) with momentum and confidence, aiming to secure a top-three finish overall and to clinch the Rotary Masters Championship title outright.

The final round promises high-speed drama, and “Forbes” is charging full steam ahead.

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In a weekend where horsepower met history, veteran racer Ross Forbes stormed into the record books at Sandown Raceway. Forbes celebrated 500 race starts in style by claiming a class win in the Formula RX8 national series.

Behind the wheel of the eye-catching Gloria Jean’s Queanbeyan/Tuggeranong RX8, the Odin Motorsport Australia driver reminded everyone why four decades of racing experience still counts for something.

 Across four hotly contested races at Round 4 of the Victorian State Race Series, Forbes delivered three Top 10 finishes and a commanding Pro-Am class victory.

With taking the class win, Forbes would go on to finish an impressive 7th overall for the weekend, launching him to 5th on the national leaderboard and firmly in the hunt for more silverware.

“This is an amazing car to drive,” Forbes said post-race with his signature smile.

“We’ve been building momentum all year, and after our Pro-Am podium at Queensland Raceway, it feels like everything is clicking.”

“The car is going from strength to strength.”

There were no confetti cannons nor any champagne sprays, just handshakes, hugs, and a quiet paddock toast as the sun dipped behind Sandown, which is exactly how Forbes wanted to celebrate a great weekend at the track.

“It wasn’t about fanfare,” Forbes explained.

“It was about still being here, doing what I love, with the people who’ve been part of this ride.”

The ride Forbes mentioned is a ride that has spanned 40 years, from grassroots club circuits to serving as a Motorsport Australia official, a Supercars medical car driver, and even lending his expertise trackside during the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. Through it all, the fire to compete has never dimmed.

A huge part of Forbes’ success is owed to his long-time friend, Stephen McLaine from McLaine Motorsport,  the meticulous engineer whose handiwork has made the RX8 ‘bulletproof’.

“Stephen’s dedication is unmatched,” Forbes said.

 “The car’s been faultless all weekend. That’s why I was proud to carry the McLaine Motorsport name on the rear bar.”

With just a few rounds left in the Formula RX8 national series, Forbes isn’t easing off, he’s just getting warmed up. The RX8 platform is proving more competitive every round, and with Forbes riding a wave of confidence, the paddock buzz is all about how far he can take it.

“Here’s the truth: 500 isn’t a finish line. It’s a launchpad.” Forbes explained with excitement and anticipation for what’s to come in his career.

As new stars rise and the sport evolves, Ross Forbes’ story cuts through the noise; a living reminder that grit, passion, and perseverance still win races.

Veteran. Champion. Icon. At 500 race starts, Ross Forbes is more than a driver — he’s a cornerstone of Australian motorsport history.

Having only entered motorsport a year ago, Starr’s journey has been fast and unconventional. A background in car mechanics and endurance racing with Motor Events Australia gave him a taste for competition, but he had never lined up in a national series until Sandown.

“I’ve always wanted to get involved in motorsport. I used to watch Bathurst with my dad on TV and thought I’d love to drive a race car one day. A year ago I finally took the plunge, ” explained Starr.

“I didn’t have contacts or much of a plan, but it all started with a simple ‘let’s do it.’ It’s been a pretty quick turnaround since then.”

Despite having only joined motorsport a year ago he has already enjoyed success in a Subaru, including at Sandown, where his team achieved a class win during a Motor Events endurance race.

Starr’s rise to the national stage was rapid. Despite limited experience, he adapted quickly to the RX8 platform and proved competitive against seasoned campaigners like Terry Lewis, Liam Hall and Thomas Derwent.

After setting a 1:27.760 in Qualifying to achieve a fourth place finish set a strong foundation for the weekend to come. After getting a blinding start in the opening race, Starr was able to finish on the podium in his national debut race.

“When I found out I was fourth on the grid, I was completely surprised. My goal was just to be top six for the weekend, I never imagined I’d be that far up.” Starr mentioned. 

Race 2 provided an early highlight, with Starr pulling off a bold move around the outside of Liam Hall at the daunting Turn 6 to clinch third place. Race 3’s reverse top-six grid presented another challenge, but Starr showed composure and pace to fight through and secure yet another podium.

“During the weekend I built confidence at turn 6 step by step” Starr recalled.

“The leaders were happy to discuss with me just how late they were braking. I pushed myself race by race braking deeper and having the self belief I could do it. Hard to do when you’re traveling at close to 200km/h down that back straight! I am super happy with this result and the confidence I have gained from this weekend”

The final race of the weekend showcased Starr’s resilience. Locked in battle with 2024 race winner Thomas Derwent, Starr applied pressure lap after lap, forcing Derwent to defend while maintaining his own consistency. Though he ultimately crossed the line in third, the contest underlined his ability to run toe-to-toe with proven frontrunners.

“We had a chat afterwards and he [Derwent] felt like he had me.,” Starr exclaimed.

 “Then after turn six at the back, he [Thomas] looked at his mirror. ‘He’s catching me again, what’s going on here? He said,” 

“So. The pressure was on.”

With coaching from last years, RX8 podium winner and team owner Ivan Vantagiato, Starr  was able to sharpen his race craft and improve in his driving technique as the weekend continued to progress. 

The standout factor in his debut weekend was the work of Stephen McLaine from McLaine Motorsport. His precise setup of the RX8 gave Starr the confidence to push hard in every race, providing a car that was both quick and consistent across the demanding Sandown circuit. McLaine’s expertise was a key ingredient in turning Starr’s raw speed into four podium finishes.

“I have to give a shoutout to Stephen McLaine,” expressed Starr.

“His car setup was brilliant.. the car was so reliable, everything was spot on.”

 “The car really drove well for me and my style.”

With four third-place results, Starr secured second overall for the round behind Anthony Cafiso  a remarkable achievement for a driver making the leap from club-level competition to national racing.

At 55 years old, Starr’s enthusiasm for the sport is clear, and so is his gratitude for those around him.

 “If I wasn’t hooked before, I’m hooked now.” Starr laughed.

“A big thank you to Jules, my wife for supporting me and being ok with me chasing this crazy adventure.” 

Starr’s breakthrough at Sandown has firmly marked him as one to watch in the 2025 Formula RX8 Series, with his blend of raw speed, race craft, and determination laying the foundation for an exciting season ahead.