Supercars' reporter Rusty lands Brock cameo

Supercars pit reporter and motoring.com.au correspondent, Greg Rust, has commenced an acting career… Well, sort of…

‘Rusty’ clearly had a lot of fun wearing retro outfits at the recent Sandown 500 retro round broadcast but judging by Chennel Ten’s promos for the new Peter Brock mini-series, it’s not the first time he’s donned an 1980s outfit and mo!

Rust’s small role in the two-part telemovie which will air on Ten came about purely by chance. And his day on set is one he’ll never forget.

“The producer’s of Brock first got in touch about 12 months ago,” Rust told motoring.com.au.

“They needed a few contacts and I was happy to help. That was the end of it or so I thought. Then they phoned back and asked if I would be up for a small part involving a podium presentation and a couple of voiceovers.”

Rust initially declined the offer, but the production company persisted.

“Eventually I came round -- this was likely to be a once in a lifetime experience,” Rust explained.

“Later I learned that some legendary Aussie commentators were lending their voices to the production as well. You can’t miss Mike Raymond’s voice in the current promo and I’ll leave the other as a surprise.”

Rust spent a day on the Brock set last December.

‘I’ve been around TV for a while but I was staggered by the size of the production! They’d endeavoured to recreate the old Bathurst pit lane and paddock complete with signage and some cool cars (race and road).

“The wardrobe department was mind blowing with all kinds of period style apparel including red suit jackets like those the broadcast team famously wore.

“I knew Matt Le Nevez a little from my years at Ten and we had a great chat about the movie over lunch. He’s acutely aware of the magnitude of the lead role and was determined to get it right.

“Matt introduced me to Steve Bisley who plays Harry Firth and the three of us talked mainly about the current Supercars competition. Both must have sensed my nerves. I mean what the hell was I doing working, albeit it briefly, with these guys? They’re seriously good actors,” Rusty explained.

The mini-series producer’s asked Rust to study Garry Wilkinson’s style and mannerisms.

“He [Wilkinson] was such a polished broadcaster and here was I channelling my inner Wilko or trying to.”

The moustache was Bisley’s idea.

“A few minutes later one of the make-up team arrived with a briefcase full of fake mos! Steve picked out one that was perfect. It actually reminded me of Graeme ‘Mort’ Brown, who worked with Brock for many years and his mo back in the day.”

According to Rust, despite a big dose of nerves: “it was damn good fun! One of the most enjoyable days I’ve had in 20 years of television”.

Rust says he hasn’t seen the finished mini-series but believes the program will appeal to a broad cross-section of viewers.

“Brock will appeal to more than just us motorsport fans, I reckon,” Rust opined.

“He was a massive figure who connected with a much wider audience. There’s little doubt it will start a conversation among purists and casual observers just like [the ] INXS [miniseries],” Rusty stated.

The first instalment of Brock airs on Channel Ten on Sunday evening, October 9.