Known for his quirky character and humour, Rogers’ involvement in the sport stretched over 60 years and included periods as a driver, team owner and series administrator.
Rogers raced Sports Sedan across the 1960s and 70s before moving into touring cars and made a total of 14 Bathurst 1000 starts as a driver between 1978 and 1993.
Rogers’ biggest impact on the sport came as a team owner, which included running his eponymous squad in the ATCC/Supercars Championship from 1996-2019.
Garry Rogers Motorsport won the Bathurst 1000 in 2000 with Garth Tander and Jason Bargwanna – two of many youngsters to get their big career break with Rogers.
Others included Steven Richards, Lee Holdsworth and Scott McLaughlin, who spearheaded GRM’s period as the Volvo factory team in Supercars from 2014-16.
Jamie Whincup too had his first Supercars season with Rogers, albeit he was sacked after a difficult rookie campaign in 2003.
GRM also competed in other classes alongside its early Supercars efforts, most famously running Holden’s Bathurst 24 Hour-winning Monaro project across 2002-03.
The team left Supercars at the end of 2019 and focused its efforts on Australian Racing Group categories, which Rogers co-owned for a period.
Rogers handed day-to-day control of GRM to son Barry in recent years and the team currently fields cars in the Trans Am and TCR Australia Series.
Supercars CEO James Warburton paid tribute to Rogers’ influence in the sport, noting the Bathurst 1000 podium earlier this month featured drivers he had once discovered.
“Supercars is deeply saddened by the passing of Garry Rogers, one of the most passionate, loyal, and colourful figures in Australian motorsport,” Warburton said.
“Across more than five decades, Garry’s impact on our sport was extraordinary — from his own racing days in the 1960s and 70s, to building one of the most respected and enduring teams in the Supercars paddock. His induction into the Supercars Hall of Fame in 2015 recognised not only his longevity, but the indelible mark he left on generations of drivers, teams, and fans.
“Garry was renowned for spotting and nurturing raw talent. The likes of Garth Tander, Jamie Whincup, and Scott McLaughlin — among so many others — began their Supercars journeys under his guidance. His eye for potential, his belief in youth, and his trademark straight-talking humour made him one of the most loved and admired team owners our sport has ever known.
“On each step of the Bathurst 1000 podium earlier this month stood a driver who once represented Garry Rogers Motorsport — a fitting reflection of his enduring legacy and influence.
“Garry will be remembered not only as a racer and a team boss, but as a true character — larger than life, fiercely loyal, and utterly devoted to the sport he loved.
“On behalf of everyone at Supercars, we extend our deepest condolences to Barry Rogers, Garry’s wider family, friends, and all at Garry Rogers Motorsport.”
This story first appeared on Speedcafe and has been republished with permission.