O'Rourke Motorsport History

O'Rourke Motorsport...Pushing the Boundaries

Grant and Debbie O'Rourke's lives have not been the same since they made a decision to step up in their hobby of 'drag racing' some 9 years ago.

O’Rourke Motorsport was established by Grant and Debbie O’Rourke in 1997 when they registered their motor racing business and launched their first Supercharged Torana at Ravenswood Raceway. It was an exciting day for them, their crew and the many friends who had helped them to build a car capable of 200mph (320kph) over 400 metres. Experience was lacking, but everyone involved was enthusiastic and keen to learn. The O'Rourke's had kept their plans fairly secret from the drag racing population, so when they finally put the car on the track competitively, the team was put through some pretty tough hurdles.

After many successful years racing a world record breaking Group 2 supercharged small block LJ Torana, the O’Rourke’s advanced to Group 1 in 2002 with an Australian bodied Holden HK Monaro Top Doorslammer. In addition they created a focal point for their racing endeavours through a second fully specified Top Doorslammer car dedicated to “Burnout” demonstrations and “Ride with the Racer” experiences. This value added to their operations and enhanced their attraction to potential sponsors.

Having two cars expanded the team's ability to adapt and work together; it meant two crews, a two-car transporter (which is built for 3 cars), two sets of tools and generally double the effort, in every conceivable way. It requires dedication and passion for a sport that is unforgiving but wildly exciting. It is this passion that resulted in Debbie being nominated (by one of their clients) for Telstra's Business Woman of the Year Award in 2003 for her management of O'Rourke Motorsport and associated promotional businesses.

Like an addiction that needs to be fed Grant and Debbie decided to launch into Top Alcohol in 2004 with fellow WA racer, Damien 'Who' Harris at the helm of a 1995 Pontiac Funny Car. This strategic move continued their quest to become a major force in Australian Drag Racing and enabled the team to offer clients a race car at all National Events and have Group 1 representation in both Top Doorslammer and Top Alcohol.

In 2005 the team upgraded their race cars importing a U.S.A built turnkey Top Alcohol Funny Car package and significantly remodelling the chassis of their Monaro Top Doorslammer. The investment paid off with outstanding performances at the Winternationals in Queensland. Both race cars fought their way through to the semi finals in front of 45,000 spectators.

2005 / 2006 saw the team run a selected number of National events in an effort to test, research and achieve strong consistent performances with their Group 1 race cars. The team also embarked on another venture...designing and building race car chassis, bodies (and panels) and other related components.

In 2006/2007 the team will focus on running the Top Alcohol Funny Car at all National events whilst continuing to test the Doorslammer. The highlight will be the launch of the teams first designed and built funny car which is to be put through its paces by Damien at the opening meeting in Perth after which Debbie take over the drive returning to the track for the first time since 2003.