Brad Trenwith

Brad Trenwith has been around cars for years, however his first experience with modified cars started with a 1984 Mazda RX7. The RX7 is an iconic car known throughout the automotive scene due to it being the pinnacle of rotary-powered cars, modification accessibility and potential for uniqueness. It's a car that, if you're truly into cars, has a place on most bucket lists. The '84 model is no exception, and while not being as renowned as the FD model, still has an incredible name for itself and is a true driver's car. After saving for a year, Brad knew it was the RX7 that he wanted. "It was a little rough around the edges, but had been swapped over to a 13B turbo platform," he says, "after a ride in it, I couldn't believe the power, the noise and simply how crazy it seemed to be." 

Although not considered crazy by today's standards, the '84 RX7 certainly made an impression on Brad. While having had an engine swap, the car was still running the gearbox from factory which, typically, broke the night that Brad acquired the Mazda, from a simple pull from a set of traffic lights. From that point onwards, the RX7 started to develop into a track-ready car. Eventually, the car was fitted with a new suspension kit, race brakes and a half cage. "I took it racing a lot, mostly at Wakefield Park in Sydney." 

After the '84 model was obtained, Brad purchased the 1992 FD RX7 variant, a car with unfathomable status and heritage. This car was fitted with an aftermarket ECU and was paired with high-flowed twin turbos. The two cars lived under the same roof for a period of time, before the gearbox blew on the earlier model again. Unfortunately, a track day had been scheduled for that coming weekend, forcing Brad to take the FD instead. "I was blown away by how quick it was at the track," he says, leading him to promptly sell the 1984 RX7. Due to this, the FD model became the track car. It ended up with a single turbo, upgraded suspension and more. "Eventually I decided the better option was to buy an import, swap the drivetrain over and have both a race FD and a road FD."  What's better than having one FD RX7? Having two FD RX7s, with one being a dedicated track racer, and the other a road dweller. However, the road car got sold not long after, and the race FD resulted in undergoing many evolutions throughout the 15 years of Brad owning it. 

"This is probably where I should have stopped with the car," Brad laughs.  "The lap times were decent, the car was reliable, it was easy to run and a relatively cheap car to maintain.  But as always, enough is never enough when you are young and foolish." 

He then made the decision to switch to the 3 rotor motor the car currently runs. This was paired with a 6 speed sequential gearbox, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) developed aero and a complete suspension and brake upgrade. In simple terms, the car became a rocket, but this came at a cost. "It was a nightmare to run. There were issues keeping it cool," Brad says.  Like most problems in life, trial and error resolved the issue. The front end of the car was redesigned by TCR in Adelaide, with the car then running amazingly well. Back in 2021, when the car was last on the dyno, the now beast of an RX7 made 650 rear-wheel kilowatts, with the tune sorted out by GE Racing. 2021 saw the highpoint of the RX7, before the engine suffered a cracked centre plate, leading to a damaged crank. While out of action throughout 2022, Brad aims to have the car up and running again as soon as the parts arrive. If the issue continues to arise, Brad believes that billet centre plates may be an option. "Last year was frustrating, but luckily I have some amazing friends, great workshops and an understanding wife!"

After years of focusing on tracking RX7s, Brad acquired a 1974 Porsche 911. Like most automotive enthusiasts, Brad has "always had a fascination with them". Porsche is undoubtedly one of the greatest sportscar manufacturers in the world, and when the 911 was introduced in 1964, the world was unaware of the name Porsche would create for itself in modern times. The 1970s was a time when some of the most iconic Porsches where produced, with Brad's 911 model being made in  '74. "I always wanted the 'Bad Boys' Porsche; the 964 Turbo, and I wish I had bought one back before the prices became crazy." Well, settling with a 911 isn't the worst scenario, especially in the case of Brad's immaculate spec 911. "It was a hoot. It was bright orange, made no power, but made all the right noise." While in ownership of the '74 911, Brad made a few changes. He updated the injection to ITBs and used a Motec ECU system. Widely regarded as the one of the greatest line of production cars ever made, the Porsche 911's retro design, which constantly evolved into the performance 'GT' and touring models we know today. It is essentially the perfect allrounder car, and Brad proved this while owning a 1974 911. "My wife and I did road trips in this car, attended a lot of Porsche meets and even led a group of the Porsche Main Tour through the Adelaide Rally." Seeing this car in action, especially through events such as the Adelaide Rally, is simply a sight to behold. When Brad gets behind the wheel, you know that there's some serious skill in the cockpit. He showed this by spinning wheels throughout the entire Adelaide Rally 2019 Final CBD Stage. "We never thought we would sell the car, but other things get your interest and it's time to move them on."

One day, on a regular window-shopping experience through Richmonds in Adelaide, Brad and his wife had the opportunity to view something in the storage sheds. However, Brad didn't get that far, as something else caught his eye. "I couldn't help but have a scan of the workshop and spied the rear wing of a 996 GT2; something I had always dreamt of owning but always seemed out of reach." Like any Porsche admirer, Brad enquired about the car.  He learned that it had only just come in and that he could check it out. It wasn't yet in your usual dealer-presentation; however Brad had already fallen in love. "My wife and I were off on holiday the next day, unfortunately for her I spent much of the first couple of  days organising an inspection, and trying to work out if I could afford it!" Luckily, it all worked out and Brad and his wife have truly loved owning it. "We have taken the car interstate for Luftwasser twice and last year we lead the Porsche Main tour with the car." The rawness of the car is what they love the most.  "It absolutely keeps you on your toes and demands all of your attention when pushing along. It is the perfect car for a Sunday drive to help you clear the mind and bring you to the absolute present." 

After selling the 1974 911, Brad promised himself to not add nor remove any cars from his fleet. However, his attempt failed miserably. "I was looking around for a few models and decided I wanted to get a more modern classic with some of the driver safety features so that my wife could take the car out, should she want." While Brad's wife does love the GT2, and has driven it, she finds it a little intimidating. In fact, so does Brad. "I also find it intimidating, but I think this is half of the appeal!" After all, it is one heck of a car. "In my searching, I came across a 2012 McLaren MP412c. It ticked a lot of boxes." Understandable, I would say. It would be hard to turn down a McLaren. With limited numbers, a carbon tub, a twin turbo V8 based off Indycar engine design and being the first model produced solely by McLaren, it's something that needs to be experienced if the opportunity arises. In Brad's case, it certainly became another addition to his garage. After buying the car in Sydney, Brad drove down to Melbourne through "some of the best backroads I have ever seen". The car drove amazingly. It's easy to drive and comfortable, yet in Sports mode on track, it's a completely different car. "My wife and I then drove it to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road - exactly 4 years after I did the same road trip in my 1974 911. It was a lot more comfortable this time." After trekking across the Eastern states, Brad took the car straight to The Bend Motorsport Park, before being lucky enough to obtain an entry to the Adelaide 500 track day. "Driving that car on the Adelaide 500 Circuit is something I will never forget." And you can't blame him. The Adelaide street circuit is one of the most incredible tracks in the world - it's a place with so much history, and the site of Ayrton Senna's last ever win.  To drive a McLaren on the track, taking left turns at apartment complexes, right turns at businesses and doing 200+ on the city streets is something most can only dream of. "Mixing it up with a 996 GT3 CS, 992 GT3, 991 GT3, McLarens, old muscle cars felt surreal." After taking the car both on a road trip and on the track, Brad has shown that "it truly is a car that can be driven to a winery for a nice lunch and then driven hard on a race track and be very competent at both". 

While Brad Trenwith is one of the most notable figures around motorsport in Adelaide, he is also one of the most genuine and down to earth people I have ever met. His automotive ventures are extremely inspiring, and his support for Hillside Auto has been overwhelming. We had the opportunity of shooting both his RX7 and McLaren 12C, and have photographed memories for years to come. It was a pleasure writing a feature article on Brad, and the stories behind each and every one of his cars are truly fascinating. 

Links

Brad Trenwith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babsgarage/ 

Hillside Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hillside__media/