Paul Stokell, born March 8, 1968, can be described as one of the most versatile Australian racing drivers Tasmania has produced. Highly decorated across multiple categories, he has been a race and multiple championship-winning driver in open wheel racing, sportscars and tarmac rallying.

Commencing karting at just 12 years of age, Paul won three Tasmanian Karting Championships between 1985 and 1987, followed by the Tasmanian Formula Vee Championship in 1989. After finishing second in the 1990 Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series behind Russell Ingall, he made the move to the UK to further his career.

An initial test with the Mansell Madgwick F3000 team resulted in a firm offer to contest the British and European F3000 series, then the primary feeder category to Formula One. Unfortunately, budget constraints prevented this opportunity from eventuating.

After another challenging year in the highly competitive UK racing environment, Paul returned to Australia in 1993 and competed in the Formula Holden Australian Drivers’ Championship, finishing third overall.

Success soon followed, with Paul claiming the Gold Star and winning the Formula Holden Australian Drivers’ Championship for three consecutive years in 1994, 1995 and 1996. During this period, he also competed internationally in The Netherlands, Indonesia and New Zealand, highlighted by victory in the Indonesian Grand Prix and the Pan-Pacific Championship in 1995.

In 1997, Paul made his V8 Supercar debut alongside Wayne Gardner in the Primus Bathurst 1000, marking his transition from open wheel racing into touring and sports cars.

Paul’s long-standing association with the Lotus brand began in 1998, competing in the GT Production Car Championship against larger and more powerful machinery. His strong performances led to Lotus introducing both Paul and the Lotus Elise to tarmac rallying, resulting in a standout third place outright at Targa Tasmania in 1999.

These results opened the door to Team Lamborghini Australia in the GT Nations Cup Championship in 2000, where he drove the Lamborghini Diablo SVR and GTR. Paul went on to achieve significant success, including a win in the 2002 Sandown 500 and back-to-back GT Nations Cup Championships in 2003 and 2004.

He also set a record for the most Nations Cup race wins in a single season, with 13 victories in 2001, and holds the category record for most podium finishes, with 47 wins, 18 seconds and six third placings. Along the way, he set qualifying lap records at six circuits and race lap records at seven circuits.

Between 2005 and 2008, Paul continued competing across GT racing, Porsche Carrera Cup and Targa Tasmania, including a runner-up finish in the 2008 Australian Mini Challenge Series.

The following years brought further success, with Paul winning the 2009 Australian Mini Challenge Series and finishing runner-up again in 2010. His achievements in tarmac rallying continued, culminating in victory in the Australian Targa Championship in 2018.

After several standout performances at Targa Tasmania, Paul achieved ultimate success in 2019, once again winning the Australian Targa Championship.

GT racing has continued to highlight Paul’s enduring talent, including a class victory in the 2022 Fanatec GT World AM Championship. Across his career, he has demonstrated remarkable consistency, securing nine national, two international and four state championships.

A proud Tasmanian, Paul Stokell has achieved success at the highest levels of Australian and international motorsport.

Profile by Peter Killick