If you know rotaries, you know there’s something different about the people who love them. It’s more than horsepower and high-revving engines—it’s a bond, a culture, and for many, a way of life. As we like to say, rotary fans are a bit like Collingwood supporters: often misunderstood, but when everything clicks, we’re a force to be reckoned with.
One person who lives and breathes this world is Maisie Place-a rising name in Australian motorsport and one of the most promising figures in the rotary performance scene. At just 25, Maisie has already carved out an impressive resume: qualified mechanic, race team owner, competitive driver, and a proud ambassador for women in motorsport.
A Journey Fueled by Passion (and a Few Late Nights)
Maisie’s journey began in Canberra, where she learned her craft as an apprentice under rotary tuning legend Jon Waterhouse at Reliance Automotive, one of the most respected names in Mazda RX tuning. She quickly proved herself-not only as a skilled mechanic but as someone with the drive to go the distance. (Full disclosure: she even helped prep my own RX-7 SP for rally events, and absolutely nailed it.)
These days, Maisie is full throttle. She’s a regular on the grid in the RX8 Cup Series, one of Australia’s fastest-growing single-make racing categories. Off the track, she’s played major roles in endurance events like the Bathurst 6 Hour and worked with Ric Shaw Racing at Germany’s iconic Nürburgring 24-Hour.
Most recently, Maisie led a team in the Bathurst 6 Hour, racing-of course-in an RX-8. Preparation took months, and her dedication was relentless. “Some nights I sleep in the workshop so I can work until 11pm,” she says. The race was going to plan until heartbreak struck late in the game. “A wheel fell off with about 5 minutes to go, but all the drivers are keen to come back.”
No Silver Spoons-Just Tools, Talent, and Tenacity
Maisie didn’t grow up in a motorsport dynasty. What she has, she built. “From an early age, I was keen to work on cars,” she recalls. One of her turning points came when she met racing driver Leanne Tander. “I thought, oh-girls can do this!” That simple realisation sparked a career path that would see Maisie defy stereotypes and prove that ability knows no gender.
Now, Maisie wears multiple hats-driver, mechanic, strategist-and does it all with heart. What does she enjoy most? “I love it all,” she says with a grin. The emotional support from her family plays a big role too, especially her mum. “She sits in the car with me before a race to calm my nerves… when you’re in the race car, the rest of the world stops-and I love that.”
Mentors, Heroes, and Holding Her Ground
Maisie’s admiration for motorsport greats is clear. “I really looked up to Alan Horsley,” she says of the iconic Mazda Motorsport figure. “I got to meet him a while ago, and I really admire what he did for the sport.” She also credits Coral and Molly Taylor as inspirations, along with her mentor Ric Shaw. “What Ric was able to achieve in his career, and the help he’s provided to me-it’s meant a lot.”
But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. As a woman in a male-dominated field, Maisie doesn’t shy away from the challenges. “I think the biggest thing that stops women coming into the sport is sexism,” she says bluntly. “If you read my messages, you would be mortified.”
Fast Forward
Whether she’s under the hood or behind the wheel, Maisie Place is all in. She represents everything that’s great about rotary culture: passion, precision, and persistence. Her story isn’t just about engines-it’s about courage, grit, and proving that the track has room for everyone who’s ready to race.
Listen to the full podcast to hear Maisie’s journey-from the workshop floor to the racetrack. https://famousinsurance.com.au/podcast-with-glenn-ridge/
You can follow Maisie Place Motorsport on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MaisiePlaceMotorsport/
If you would like to learn more about the RX8 Cup you can find more on their website at https://rx8cup.com.au/
