Scotch College

Sibling rivalry - Stillwell's race in triplicate

Take one CEO of a successful top 200 company, whose "outlet" is racing a Historic 69 fastback Mustang, take one youngest sibling in the family business who sells the newest MINI Coopers, races historic Minis and is a kidney transplant recipient, take another older sibling in the same family business, who's an ex-Australian Touring Car driver from the 70s and you have the ultimate recipe for Team Sibling Rivalry!

It could easily be a scene from the famous Michael Caine film "The Italian Job".

Pictured: (L to R) Michael Stillwell, Nicholas Stillwell and Chris Stillwell with the MINI Cooper S cars they will drive in the Trading Post Rally.

The brothers Stillwell - Chris, Nicholas and Michael - will tackle the Trading Post Grand Prix Rally in three identical MINI Cooper S cars representing the family businesses. And with the heritage of the Stillwell name in motor sport, there is sure to be some close racing. "There's some serious bragging rights at stake here - which I intend to have," said Nicholas Stillwell, who is the youngest of the three and manages the family's Bib Stillwell MINI Garage in South Yarra. Nicholas has the most rally experience of the three, having competed in five Grand Prix Rallys.

Group CEO, Chris Stillwell says he can't wait to compete against his brothers. "We're very competitive in business, so I don't see that changing on the road or track. And this is the first time we've competed together." Chris Stillwell oversees the Group's five dealerships in Melbourne, selling Ford, Jaguar, BMW & Mini. "It would have been fantastic to also have second oldest brother Robert, also competing - but this is a family business and he's minding the store for us. I'm sure he'll put his hand up for next year," said Chris.

The dark horse for family honours could be Michael Stillwell who is Corporate Sales Manager at Bib Stillwell BMW in South Yarra. Michael, under the guidance of father Bib, started his racing career with success in Formula Ford before switching to touring cars. Although not having competed for many years, Michael says "I still remember where the fast pedal is." All three cars will carry the Kidney Foundation's "Billy the Kid" logo on the roof, to raise the awareness for the Kidney Foundation - which is close to the hearts of the Stillwell family.

Youngest sibling, Nicholas, has been living a dialysis free, normal life for 21/2 years after one failed kidney transplant in 1999 and a successful second attempt in 2000. "Spending a significant amount of time on waiting lists, plus attending weekly dialysis really does things to you. Your life revolves around a machine. Unless you go through it, you don't have an appreciation of how it affects you and your family," said Nicholas.

The Trading Post Rally starts in Shepparton and finishes with laps at the Melbourne Grand Prix. Stillwell Motor Sports plans for the 2003 calendar also include competing in the supporting Historic class at each V8 supercar round commencing with the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

Chris Stillwell will drive his '69 fastback Mustang, which he drove to three wins at the last round at Sandown, with brother Nicholas competing in his '64 Morris Cooper S. Later in the year the team will (re)debut - rebuilt from the ground up - a 1971 MK1 RS 1600 Escort. This will be deja vu for Michael Stillwell as this vehicle was Michael's original racecar from the 1971 Australian Touring Car Series.