Champion driver for N.Z. event

Press, 16 January 1985, Page 21

Champion driver for N.Z. event

PA Wellington European touring car champion, Tom Walkinshaw, will compete in the tworace Nissan Sport 500 series which begins with Wellington’s first waterfront race on January 27. Walkinshaw,- aged 34. has entered a works-prepared Rover Vitesse and will have an Australian businessman, Ron Dixon, as co-driver. A Scot, Walkinshaw was put out of the Bathurst race in October when his Jaguar XJS was caught in a pile-up at the start. He had clinched the 1984 European Touring Car Championship just before flying out to the premier Australian event. Dixon has raced at Bathurst several times, competing one year with the New Zealander, Graeme

Lawrence. Dixon said from Australia that his driving partner is keen to show the New Zealand public his ability behind the wheel. ’’That’s especially the case after not having the chance to do so at Bathurst,” Dixon said. “He is, after all, the European champion. He’s also an expert engineer and that combination makes our team totally competitive.” Walkinshaw, specialises in the development of racing Jaguars on the European Group A circuit. The Wellington event is followed on February 3 by another 500 km race around the Pukekohe circuit. Prizemoney of $120,000 makes the series the richest motoring event in Australasia.