Stephen Doorey’s return to the RX8 Cup is a truly inspiring one. In 2022 Stephen started out with Phil Alexander and the RaceAway team doing track days in his MX5. That led him into Phil’s “Road To Bathurst” program, where Doorey got to race a RX8 Cup car for the first time at Winton, and then going on to compete in the Bathurst 6 hour.
Stephen was absolutely loving his racing until his health suddenly declined in 2024 due to a severe autoimmune condition that stopped him from being able to drive. It was then in 2025, he was diagnosed with advanced aggressive neck and throat cancer. Stephen was told he could survive the cancer but “we’re gonna 3/4 kill ya to fix ya!”. “I undertook months of very aggressive radiation & chemo treatment. The pain & sickness was off the charts. I don’t recommend trying it at home!” Stephen Mentioned.
What followed was months of brutal chemo and radiation treatment. “I couldn’t eat for five months, lost 15kg, and survived through a feeding tube directly into my stomach. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced” Said Doorey. “But throughout all of it, one thing kept me focused. Getting healthy enough to finally go racing properly.”
“I got back into the gym incredibly early in recovery, worked relentlessly to rebuild my strength, and today I’m proud to say I’m completely cancer free, stronger than before, and medically cleared to race again.”
After coming that close to losing everything, Stephen couldn’t wait any longer to chase the dream.
“The RX8 Cup community made me feel welcome from day one, and after nearly two years away from the driver’s seat, I’m incredibly excited to be coming back to race at SMSP in a few weeks.”
Stephen Doorey will make his long awaited RX8 Cup return racing in the Enduro round at Sydney Motorsport Park May 29-31. He is also excited to announce Ben Shaw will be sharing the driving alongside him. The RX8 Cup would like to welcome Stephen back to the category and we appreciate him opening up about his ‘Fight to Get Back Behind the Wheel’
