Tributes flow for late racer Brede

The motorsport community is remembering former racer and motorsport identity Dale Brede, who recently passed away aged 48.

Brede, who made seven Bathurst 1000 starts and won in the development series, passed away last week.

Canberra-born Brede won three races and a round in Super2, and finished second in the 2002 season behind Paul Dumbrell.

Brede was the most recent Canberra-born driver to complete a full season in Supercars until Cameron Hill debuted in 2023.

He rose through the ranks through karts to Formula Ford, before moving into the Australian Drivers Championship in 1998.

In 2000, Brede finished seventh in the standings and later joined the Konica V8 Supercar Series, which is now know as the Dunlop Series.

In his debut season in 2001, Brede scored two podium finishes en route to sixth overall.

Brede shone in the 2002 development series Pic: AN1 Images

He swapped a VT Commodore for an AU Falcon for 2002, and Brede duly scored wins at Wakefield Park and Mallala as he finished second in a season dominated by Dumbrell.

Brede’s top-level Supercars debut came in the 2002 enduros for Briggs Motor Sport alongside Steven Owen.

The Bride/Owen CAT Falcon finished 19th at the Queensland 500 and 17th in the Bathurst 1000, despite the car being delayed by an incident on lap 109.

Brede’s star continued to rise, and he earned a seat with the Holden Young Lions squad in the development series.

He finished sixth in 2003, and joined Tony Ricciardello for the enduros. They finished 24th at Sandown, but their Bathurst campaign ended early after a crash for Ricciardello.

Brede was called up to the main game by Team Dynamik to replace Jason Richards for 2004, and was joined for the enduros by a young Will Davison.

Brad Jones Racing signed Brede for the 2004 enduros and, after finishing 21st at Sandown, turned heads with a sensational run in Bathurst.

Brede raced full-time in 2004 Pic: AN1 Images

British touring car ace Cleland and Brede sailed to seventh in the Great Race, which was Brede’s best Bathurst result.

BJR retained Brede for 2006, and he raced the #12 Falcon with Mark Porter to 18th at Sandown.

Brede was joined by Michael Caruso for Bathurst as tragedy struck, with Porter fatally injured in a development series crash across the top of the mountain.

Their race ended early after Caruso crashed at Griffins Bend, with the 2006 race Brede’s 35th and final Supercars start.

Brede remained a constant in motorsport, most recently running the Canberra Motorcycle Centre and also the factory Suzuki squad in the Australian Superbike Championship.

He also formed part of the Movieworld stunt team with current Warren Luff, who was one of many to pay tribute to Brede.

The Brede/Porter BJR Falcon at Sandown in 2006

‘I’ve been struggling with the reality of this post for days and haven’t quite processed the incredibly sad loss of one of my best mates Dale Brede,” Davison wrote.

“I feel honoured and truly lucky to have had you a part of my life for over 20 years brother.

“Life won’t be the same without you here and we will miss you more than words. I love you buddy.”

Luff added: “This week my world lost some of its light and laughter with the loss of my good mate Dale Brede.

“Breedy and I started out as competitors 20 years ago, but soon became great mates.

“For the last nearly 2 years we worked together at Movieworld as part of the stunt team.

“It still doesn’t seem real that he’s gone, but his memory and impact on so many will never be forgotten. Love ya buddy."

Supercars sends its heartfelt condolences to Brede’s family and friends.