Stinson’s unusual preparation for GR Cup season

Brock Stinson on the track.

Ahead of the new GR Cup season kicking off in July, Mulgoa racing car driver Brock Stinson has revealed he’s turned to tennis to help improve on the track.

The 21-year-old has been racing Toyota Gazoo 86 cars for the past two years, finishing an impressive fourth in the Championship last season.

Now, with his third season in the hotly contested GR Cup looming, Stinson has revealed what he has been doing in the recent off-season to prepare himself for ultimate glory.

“On top of doing lots of sim racing, which helps with my decision making and race craft, I’ve been playing tennis to also help with my decision making and competitiveness,” Stinson told the Weekender.

Brock Stinson (pink cap) and the Stinson Family Racing Team.

“So much of racing is mental stamina and that ability to make very good decisions in a hot environment under a lot of pressure and stress while things are happening very quickly. Working on that particular skill is what sim racing and tennis is very good with.

“In tennis, although very different to racing, you have a ball flying at you, and you have to decide which shot to make. Yes, it’s very different, but there’s a few mental similarities which I think I’ve improved a lot on since last season.”

Growing up, Stinson would often watch his dad Mark – a race car driver himself – build and drive his own race cars.

That alone inspired the then nine-year-old to beg his dad for a go-kart, so he too could race around the track.

More than a decade later, this father and son duo continue to take their passion for motorsport to new heights by running their very own race team known as Stinson Family Racing.

With Stinson now firmly in the driver’s seat, all eyes are on the talented Mechanical Engineering university student ahead of the first race in Townsville next month.

“After finishing fourth overall last year, our goal is to win it this year,” Stinson said.

“We go in as one of the favourites based on last year’s result and our speed. Last year we were either the first or second fastest car at all the races.

“Anything less than winning the Championship wouldn’t be enough for us. I think we can do it. It’s not going to be easy… but we showed last year that we can make the car quick, so there’s no reason on paper that we should be able to do it.”

To prepare himself for the upcoming five-round season, Stinson is spending most of his weekends at the track with his father and two buddies Aaron Grech and Brayden Taylor.

“As far as running the car goes, it’s myself and Dad. We do all the mechanical and preparation work,” Stinson said.

“Then at the track, my good friends Aaron and Brayden come to help, which I very much appreciate.”

The 2025 GR Cup will kick off in Townsville next month before heading to Ipswich, Bathurst, Gold Coast and Sandown.

“After finishing fourth overall last year, our goal is to win it this year,” Stinson said.

“We go in as one of the favourites based on last year’s result and our speed. Last year we were either the first or second fastest car at all the races.

“Anything less than winning the Championship wouldn’t be enough for us. I think we can do it. It’s not going to be easy… but we showed last year that we can make the car quick, so there’s no reason on paper that we should be able to do it.”

To prepare himself for the upcoming five-round season, Stinson is spending most of his weekends at the track with his father and two buddies Aaron Grech and Brayden Taylor.

“As far as running the car goes, it’s myself and Dad. We do all the mechanical and preparation work,” Stinson said.

“Then at the track, my good friends Aaron and Brayden come to help, which I very much appreciate.”

The 2025 GR Cup will kick off in Townsville next month.

Nathan Taylor

Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.

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