Tom competing in the 2024 Carrera Cup

It’s been a whirlwind two years since Tom McLennan left Churchie in 2022, but in that time, he has achieved so much – on and off the track. Now 19, Tom is forging a career in the competitive world of motorsport that has seen him drive some of the coolest and most desirable racing machines here in Australia and overseas.

While at school, Tom was racing motocross and karts. In Year 12 he made the step up to circuit racing that included Formula Ford and Porsche Sprint Challenge. After school, he had his sights clearly set on becoming a motorsport professional, whilst also wanting to continue his education. Some would call it a ‘fall back plan’ – but Tom sees it as a way to be the best version of himself.

Now in his second year at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Tom is completing a double degree in economics and property economics. He was also fortunate to receive a sporting scholarship at QUT as an elite athlete. So, buried in books one day, fast cars the next …

While excelling academically is important for Tom, his dreams of racing against the world’s best is where he wants to receive top marks. In 2023, his first year out of Churchie, he competed in his first full year as a racing car driver which started in New Zealand where he raced in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship – the same league that saw the likes of current F1 drivers Lando Norris, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson cut their teeth. It was this championship that showed Tom exactly what it was going to take to be the best at the craft of car racing.

Back in Australia, he was quickly on the pace in Porsche Sprint Cup, a racing category that is considered the first step up the Porsche pyramid. He raced at the front of the field, claiming his first podium result in the third round at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains Raceway. This year, he stepped up to Australia’s premier Porsche class – Carrera Cup – pitting himself against former Supercars drivers, international stars and rising talents. It proved to be a learning year, completing the season as one of the highest placed rookie drivers.

His abilities also brought him to the attention of Supercars hero and GT race team owner Chaz Mostert, who drafted Tom into his team’s Bathurst 12 Hour team, driving a McLaren Artura. It was Tom’s first endurance race at the famous Mount Panorama. He duly came away with a second-place finish in his class. Noteworthy, the team left him in the car for the final two-hour stint, showing great faith in his abilities.

Tom and his family also entered a front-running BMW M4 in the Bathurst 6 Hour race for production cars. This was a true test for the family-run squad, but Tom, his co-drivers and the team delivered a strong top 10 result. Look out for Tom to return to that race next year and give it an even bigger shake.

The 2025 season will see Tom continue in his pursuit of racing success, whilst also managing his university studies. Regardless of the class of racing he is competing in, you won’t have to look too far down the results sheet to see his name.

Pictured Below: 2024 Bathurst 12 Hour podium

Pictured Below: Tom competing in the 2023 NZ Toyota Series