Writer's Bio

J ohn Smailes has worked as a motor racing journalist and communications consultant for four decades.

He is Chair of the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame, an initiative of the Australian Motorsport Council comprising the five federations which administer all facets of the sport – motor racing, motorcycling, speedway, drag racing and karting.

John’s body of work now comprises eight books on motorsport, celebrating in emotive terms the achievements of the world’s greatest competitors, looking to the past and the future of the sport.

His most recent book is The First to 1000, the autobiography of five times Australian Touring Car Champion Dick Johnson, telling the story of Dick Johnson Racing, Australia’s most enduring team.