When Tom Fu talks about cars, it’s not in the way most people do. Sure, he appreciates a purring engine and a polished paint job, but for him, it’s about something much deeper. “Cars are an extension of who you are,” he says. “They’re a canvas for self-expression, and they bring people together in ways that are hard to describe unless you’ve been part of it.”

It’s that blend of passion, community, and a healthy dose of entrepreneurial hustle that’s propelled Fu and his brainchild, Motor Culture Australia (MCA), into the fast lane. In just five years, MCA has gone from an idea to a national brand with over 450,000 members, strategic partnerships with household names like Supercheap Auto, and a thriving events and content ecosystem that’s redefining Aussie car culture.

So, how did a car-crazy kid from Warwick turn his love of wheels into one of Australia’s fastest-growing automotive communities? Buckle up, this is Tom Fu’s ride.

A childhood revving with passion

Tom’s love for cars began at an early age. One of his fondest memories is his mum teaching him how to drive a Jeep Wrangler on their property in Warwick.

“Simple moment, but it stuck,” he remembers. “From that point, cars were more than just transport. They were a lifestyle.”

That obsession grew into a full-blown passion. Tom saved every spare dollar to buy car parts, modify his rides, and immerse himself in the scene. But he also noticed a problem: car culture in Australia could be cliquey, unsafe, and even intimidating. “There were too many events that felt rebellious or dangerous. I wanted to create something different.”

From IT consulting to car community leader

Tom didn’t jump straight into business ownership. He built his chops in management consulting, working in the IT sector, and even ran a dropshipping eCommerce business selling portable blenders. But that fire to create something meaningful never went away.

“I’ve always had the entrepreneur bug,“ he admits. “I’d spot problems and think, ‘I could solve that.‘ MCA was that one idea I couldn’t shake.”

It was during one of MCA’s first promotions that Tom realised the was onto a winner with the community.

“People weren’t just signing up. They were showing up. Events were buzzing. Socials were going off. That’s when I knew: this wasn’t a side hustle. This was the real deal.”

Building trust in a high-rev industry

The early days weren’t all burnouts and glory. Tom’s first major hurdle was building trust. The car giveaway space is crowded, and often shady. “We knew that if we didn’t build credibility from day one, we were done,“ he says.

So, they partnered early with trusted brands — Supercheap Auto, Yokohama, Liqui Moly — to show they were serious.

“Those partnerships weren’t just for clout. They gave our members peace of mind.”

MCA also invested heavily in tech infrastructure to handle growth. “From ticketing to rewards, our systems needed to be bulletproof. You can’t scale if your backend is a mess.”

And then there was the team. “I knew that if we were going to grow fast, I needed the right people beside me. People who got the mission and were just as hungry.”

Community first, always

Ask Tom what makes MCA tick, and he doesn’t hesitate: community. “We didn’t build a business. We built an experience. And we treat every member like gold.”

That community-first mindset helped MCA attract its first 1,000 members. “We over-delivered, we responded fast, we created content that made people feel seen. Word-of-mouth took care of the rest.”

Today, that approach hasn’t changed. Whether you’re a die-hard revhead or someone who just got their licence, you’re welcomed the same. Tom say Motor Culture Australia events are inclusive and family-friendly.

“Car culture can feel exclusive, but we wanted to flip that. This space is for everyone.”

From hoon stigma to high-performance brand

One of Tom’s biggest goals was changing the narrative around car enthusiasts. “Too often, the car scene is linked with hooning, recklessness, and rebellion. We wanted to change that.”

MCA events are safe, respectful, and fully compliant, thanks to close collaboration with local councils and a strong commitment to event safety. “We’re the only automotive event organiser that many councils will work with,“ Tom says proudly. “We’ve earned that trust.”

Online, the same ethos applies. “Our social channels are tightly moderated. No trolls, no toxicity. Just people who love cars and want to be part of something positive.”

The power of partnerships

Strategic partnerships have been crucial to MCA’s rapid growth. “We don’t just work with brands for exposure. We work with brands our community cares about.”

The Supercheap Auto collab stands out. Not only did it boost MCA’s credibility, but it also enabled co-branded content that lived across both platforms.

“That’s real reach,” Tom explains. “It’s not just marketing. It’s a value exchange.”

Partnerships like these have helped MCA grow its rewards program and expand its events.

“When we bring on a partner, it’s not about slapping logos everywhere. It’s about shared vision.”

Leading with vision (and momentum)

Tom’s leadership style is refreshingly straightforward: set the direction, then get out of the way. “I lead with vision and momentum. My job is to explain the ‘why’. The team handles the ‘how.’“

He focuses on culture just as much as KPIs. “We’ve built a team that’s outcome-driven but heart-led. Culture is everything. How we show up, how we treat each other, what we stand for.”

Even as MCA scales, that tight-knit energy remains. Weekly all-hands meetings, transparent communication, and a shared commitment to never settle keep the crew aligned. “High standards, always. But we back each other.”

Mindset for growth

Getting to a seven-figure business didn’t happen by accident. Tom says it started with a strong belief in the vision, because, in his words, “If you don’t believe, no one else will.“ That mindset gave him the confidence to stay the course even when things got tough.

He also emphasised the importance of long-term thinking. Rather than chasing quick wins, he and his team focused on building infrastructure early, laying the foundation for sustainable growth. Agility played a big role too — testing fast, learning faster, but never cutting corners.

And then there’s perspective. Tom makes a point of travelling a couple of times a year, stepping out of the daily grind to see how other people build, think, and live. “It resets my thinking,“ he says. “It challenges assumptions. And that always feeds back into how we lead and grow MCA.”

Those combined approaches have helped MCA grow at speed without sacrificing identity or burning out the team.

Lessons from the road

No entrepreneurial journey is complete without a few bumps.

One of Tom’s early missteps was trying to expand internationally with partners who didn’t share MCA’s values. “It looked good on paper, but the alignment wasn’t there. It didn’t work out, and it cost us. But it taught me how to protect the mission, how to read people better.”

His advice to his younger self? “Back yourself sooner. And surround yourself with people who truly align with your values. When you’ve got the right crew, you’re unstoppable.“

The road ahead

MCA isn’t slowing down. Next up: growing their MCA Games platform, launching a new Track Festival race series, and taking community engagement to the next level.

“We’re going deep. More immersive events. Better digital platforms. Stronger storytelling. More game modes. We’re building the future of Aussie car culture — and we’re just getting started.”

For other young Aussies with a niche passion and a big idea, Tom’s advice is simple:

“Start. Start messy. Start small. But start. Fail fast, learn faster. Build around people. And if your passion solves a real problem or creates real connection — don’t stop until it works…”

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