Sue Hughes

Sue Hughes, also known as Sue Hughes-Collins, is a seasoned Australian motorsport competitor with a career spanning several decades. She has experience in various racing disciplines, but she is most recognized for her participation in saloon racing. Her racing journey began in 1988 with hillclimbs, carrying on a family tradition rooted in motorsport, as she races under her family name of Hughes as a tribute to her father, who was a speedway rider.

Hughes achieved early success in hillclimbing, securing a class win in the New South Wales championship and finishing as runner-up in the Australian championship, both times behind the wheel of a Formula Vee. In 1996, she gained prominence as part of the all-female Mazda 121 Challenge, where she delivered solid performances, earning a fifth-place finish. Later, she competed in the Australian Production GT Championship, initially with one-off drives and then a full season in 1999, achieving third in Class E and receiving rookie awards with her family team, Hughes Motorsport.

In recent years, Hughes has been actively involved in the Radical Cup Australia. While she may not always be in the spotlight, her dedication and enthusiasm make her a remarkable figure. As of December 2024, she was ranked 16th out of 38 drivers in the Radical Cup standings. In 2012, Hughes and her son, Jon Collins, made history as the first mother-and-son duo to share the podium in a national championship race. Despite setbacks, including a significant crash in 2018, Hughes remains committed to racing, embodying perseverance and a deep love for the sport.