Started in 1983 by Greg Mildren, Mildren Race Engineering has become a household name for Rotaries and performance in general in not only Adelaide, but Australia wide. With world class facilities and experience, Mildrens is at the forefront of rotary development. Mildren Race Engineering specialise in the complete design and construction of highly modified rotary powered vehicles suitable for both the enthuisiast’s street vehicle, circuit racing, drag racing, rallying, off-road, street-rod, kit-car, through to fully fledged, high performance racing machines.

GREG MILDREN born in Elizabeth 1963 is South Australia's most well known and most prolific rotary engine builder and specialist. Supplying engines for most of the state's most successful street, circuit race and drag racing cars.

Starting his association with rotary engines when he was 19 years old after buying a Mazda Rx4 coupe, it wasn't long before his original chosen career path of radio electronics at Defence Research Centre at Salisbury, began to loose its appeal to speed and horsepower with an exhaust sound his parents still struggle to come to terms with.

The Rx4, costing $1,500, had a stock engine, fairly average bodywork, but generally straight and tidy, but more important than anything - it had potential. "It wasn't long before I had met guy called Barry Graetz, thru a mate, who new a bit about these engines" Greg says, "So I couldn't wait to rip the engine out and get Barry to re-build it and bridge port it". So while the engine was out and being modified, the rolling shell was sent to a panel shop for re-spraying. Mag wheels, new twin exhaust system were purchased, the car put back together and Greg was on his way. Fast and loud.

In the following six months, Greg was to loose his driver's license, caught speeding 6 times in as many months. This proved a problem in two ways
1. He could not drive the car anymore
2. Even when he does get his license back, the likelihood of loosing it again just as quickly was great. There had to be a better plan!

Our workshop at 19 Phillips Street, Thebarton, South Australia

1985, a new class of circuit racing was being developed, called Road Registered Racing. 1986 was the year it started for a full season with racing being held at Adelaide International Raceway (long and short track) and Mallala Motorsport park. Greg had his car ready late 1985, a slightly modified version of the road car.
After competing in a handful of races, and winning an encouragement award, another major re-think was required. The solid front disc brakes although air ducted were inadequate, suspension was too soft and sloppy, he needed better gear ratios and surprise, surprise, more power.


"After the season was over, I went straight to work, upgrading the car", says Greg "the engine was rebuilt into a monster port, ventilated brakes with bigger calipers were fitted to the front, suspension was upgraded and a new exhaust system was fitted. It was an amazing amount of work to get done, all in a couple of months, but it was done, with the help of others".
Still "green" as a racer, with a car still way under-developed, 1986 was to be the year of learning - lots of mistakes made, a few things broke and lessons were learned. A decision had to be made "Do I rise above the ordinary results of my first full season or do I settle for mediocrity?" he explains, "it was starting to cost a fair bit of money, an expensive hobby you might say, but I decided to make a decent go it"

The car was upgraded yet again between seasons with bigger front brakes, disc brakes at the rear, engine rebuilt into a monster port engine, more suspension modifications made and a close ratio gearbox installed. 1987, Greg won a lot of races, "CAMS Driver of the Year" award and many others. The name "Mildren Racing" was registered for business and his reputation and creditability began to develop. "I never intended this to be my career, you know" he says "I loved rotarys, I loved driving fast and others liked what I could do and so it kind of evolved into what you see today, really"

"After the season was over, I went straight to work, upgrading the car", says Greg "the engine was rebuilt into a monster port, ventilated brakes with bigger calipers were fitted to the front, suspension was upgraded and a new exhaust system was fitted. It was an amazing amount of work to get done, all in a couple of months, but it was done, with the help of others".
Still "green" as a racer, with a car still way under-developed, 1986 was to be the year of learning - lots of mistakes made, a few things broke and lessons were learned. A decision had to be made "Do I rise above the ordinary results of my first full season or do I settle for mediocrity?" he explains, "it was starting to cost a fair bit of money, an expensive hobby you might say, but I decided to make a decent go it"

The car was upgraded yet again between seasons with bigger front brakes, disc brakes at the rear, engine rebuilt into a monster port engine, more suspension modifications made and a close ratio gearbox installed. 1987, Greg won a lot of races, "CAMS Driver of the Year" award and many others. The name "Mildren Racing" was registered for business and his reputation and creditability began to develop. "I never intended this to be my career, you know" he says "I loved rotarys, I loved driving fast and others liked what I could do and so it kind of evolved into what you see today, really"

By 1989, Greg had built himself a 40'x20' shed at home, to house the race car and workshop equipment, racing was still going strong and demand for his expertise developed from racing was increasing. "By 1990, I was 27 years old and I wanted to do more, more racing and more work with rotary's. I wanted to give up radio electronics and devote my time to rotary's.

But there were no other good rotary businesses around, to get a job with, so I had no choice really, but to start my own. So that's exactly what I did!"
Rotary Automotive Services (incorporating Mildren Race Engineering) began at 31 Light Terrace, Thebarton on 13 January 1991. A factory approx. 200 sqm, big enough for a small office, small parts store, 2 hoists and a small workshop area. Soon we needed more space.

Lots of hard work, long hours and enough money was saved to upgrade to our current facility at 19 Phillips street, Thebarton.

"A lot of the progress made since the early days can never be planned, you know, you see an opportunity for a direction to go in and if you like it and it has a good chance of working, you take it. I think the general concept of 19 Phillips Street, is the concept I always dreamed of, lots of space & opportunity, inside your own little world".
Mildren, along with his staff of 3 moved into 19 Phillips Street in January 1998. A workshop purpose built for his growing business, conceptually designed by Mildren.
The following years were to be tough, new rival businesses had been emerging for some time, overheads were higher and the business needed more time and resources to make effective use of all the new potential the new factory delivered.
By beginning of 2001, after a few changes and additions to staff, equipment and direction, the group had formed into its best incarnation yet. Mildren Enterprises P/L trading as Mildren Race Engineering, Rotary Automotive Services, and newly formed Miatasport (developed solely to cater for Mazda Mx5's).