Every race has a story.

Before the helmets go on. Before the engines fire. Before the lights go out. Before the flag drops.

That’s the inspiration behind Before the Flag Drops, a brand-new weekly motorsport program on SWR 99.9FM, dedicated to taking listeners behind the scenes of Australian and international motorsport—and into the paddock where the real stories live.

While mainstream motorsport coverage often focuses on Formula 1, Supercars and MotoGP, Before the Flag Dropsshines a spotlight on the people who make motorsport possible every single weekend.

The competitors. The club racers. The volunteers. The officials. The track operators. The mechanics. The promoters. The families who invest countless hours, dollars, blood, sweat and tears pursuing their passion.

From circuit racing to motorcycles, drifting to drag racing, roll racing, rallying and karting—if it has wheels, speed and a passionate community behind it, it’s part of the conversation.

Listeners can expect a mix of:

  • Exclusive interviews
  • Event previews
  • Paddock stories
  • Motorsport history
  • Behind-the-scenes insights
  • Industry news
  • Technical curiosities
  • Fun facts
  • And the occasional tall tale that somehow gets better every time it’s told.

The program has been designed to feel like you’re standing around the pit garage after a long race day—sharing stories with mates who simply love motorsport.

Informal. Authentic. Knowledgeable. Entertaining.

Sometimes serious. Often humorous. Always passionate about the sport.

As the founding sponsor, the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC)—operators of Sydney Motorsport Park—helps bring the program to air. However, the stories extend far beyond any single venue. The focus is on motorsport culture, participation and community, wherever it exists.

Because the best stories in motorsport rarely start when the race begins.

As Sir Jack Brabham, three-time Formula One World Champion and ARDC Member #4, famously said:

“When the flag drops, the bull$hit stops.”

These are the stories that happen before the flag drops.

Tune in each week to Before the Flag Drops on SWR 99.9FM and discover the people, passion and stories that drive the world of motorsport.