Derrick Walker
Encyclopedia
Derrick Walker is a British auto racing team owner.
team from 1970 to 1975. It was quite an operation with F1 media czar Bernie Ecclestone
the team owner, and drivers such as series champion Graham Hill
and race winners Carlos Reutemann
, Carlos Pace
and John Watson
. Both he and Watson moved to the ill-fated Penske
team in 1976, a year after Mark Donohue
was killed in the Austrian Grand Prix
. Watson won the race that year and finished 7th in the World Championship.
, England. He became Penske's Vice President
of racing, and watched the team win four PPG Cups
(series championships) and four Indianapolis 500
-mile races. Some of the most successful American drivers came through the Penske power house during that period, including Rick Mears
, Bobby Unser
, Al Unser Sr. and Danny Sullivan
.
Indy Car team suffered a tragic loss with the death of team owner Al Holbert
and Walker took over team management. With driver Teo Fabi
they won the race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
which proved to be the only one in the storied marque's Indy Car career. When the team went under Walker purchased the assets of the team and renamed it Walker Motorsports.
Walker ran Willy T. Ribbs
sporadically until 1994, but enjoyed his best success in the early seasons with Scott Goodyear
. Goodyear came second to Al Unser, Jr.
in the 1992 Indianapolis 500
by 0.043 seconds, the closest finish to date in the race's history, and later won the 1992 Michigan 500 for Walker over then-Penske newcomer Paul Tracy
. Goodyear and Robby Gordon
spent large amounts of time with Walker, with 1996 their last seasons. Gordon left to pursue a further NASCAR
career with Goodyear off to the new Indy Racing League. Walker hired Gil de Ferran
, who came close to winning the 1997 title without winning a single race. He ran a second car for Naoki Hattori
and Memo Gidley
in 1999 but neither did well. Walker also ran a team in the Indy Racing League for Sarah Fisher
in 2000 and 2001 with limited success.
, Walker's tire supplier, pulled out of Indy Car racing and with de Ferran off to Penske
, ironically enough, Walker was forced to hire a pay-driver and found one in F1 refugee Shinji Nakano
. It must be said though Nakano did not cover himself in shame and did a fair job, doing better than was expected despite missing a couple of races due to a testing accident. Bryan Herta
filled in but was unavailable to run full-time in 2001. Walker hired another Japanese ex-F1 driver in Toranosuke Takagi
, who brought sponsorship from Pioneer
. Takagi stayed two seasons with Rodolfo Lavin
and Darren Manning
running out-dated Reynard
chassis in 2003. The team ran a third car for Luis Diaz at Mexico City. Manning scored the team's best result of the year, finishing 2nd in a bizarre race at Surfer's Paradise. Unfortunately he left for Chip Ganassi Racing
and Walker downsized to one car, running the lone Reynard for Mario Haberfeld
.
and John Fish
, with this deal seeing the operation rebranded as Team Australia
. The team signed Alex Tagliani
and Marcus Marshall
to run Aussie Vineyards-sponsored Lola chassis for the 2005 season, with Walker remaining at the helm of the team. In late 2005 Will Power
was drafted in place of Marshall, with the Power/Tagliani combination proving a solid one as the team rises with the added stability and increased funding under the Team Australia relationship.
In 2006 Team Australia also established a Champ Car Atlantic Championship
team for drivers James Davison
and Simon Pagenaud
. Walker is also co-owner of Formula BMW USA team Walker Haberfeld Racing, with former Walker driver Mario Haberfeld for drivers Marco Santos and David Rangel.
On 7 April 2007, Walker won his first race as a team owner since 1999. Team Australia's Will Power
won the inaugural Las Vegas GP.
Formula One
He started in auto racing as a chief mechanic for the Brabham Formula OneFormula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
team from 1970 to 1975. It was quite an operation with F1 media czar Bernie Ecclestone
Bernie Ecclestone
Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone is an English business magnate, as president and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration and through his part-ownership of Alpha Prema, the parent company of the Formula One Group of companies. As such, he is generally considered the primary...
the team owner, and drivers such as series champion Graham Hill
Graham Hill
Norman Graham Hill was a British racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion. He is the only driver to win the Triple Crown of Motorsport — the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and Formula One World Championship.Graham Hill and his son Damon are the only father and son pair both to...
and race winners Carlos Reutemann
Carlos Reutemann
Carlos Alberto Reutemann , nicknamed "Lole", is an Argentine former racing driver , and later a politician in his native province of Santa Fe, for the Justicialist Party....
, Carlos Pace
José Carlos Pace
José Carlos Pace was a racing driver from Brazil. He participated in 73 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on March 4, 1972. He won one race, achieved six podiums, and scored a total of 58 championship points...
and John Watson
John Watson (racing driver)
John Marshall "Wattie" Watson MBE is a British former racing driver from Northern Ireland. He competed in Formula One, winning five Grands Prix and also in the World Sportscar Championship...
. Both he and Watson moved to the ill-fated Penske
Penske Racing
Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series and NASCAR. They also previously competed in road racing, and Formula One. Penske Racing is a division of Penske Corporation, and is owned and chaired by Roger Penske...
team in 1976, a year after Mark Donohue
Mark Donohue
Mark Neary Donohue, Jr. , nicknamed "Captain Nice", was an American racecar driver known for his ability to set up his own race car as well as driving it to victories. Donohue is probably best known as the driver of the 1500+ bhp “Can-Am Killer” Porsche 917-30 and as the winner of the 1972...
was killed in the Austrian Grand Prix
Austrian Grand Prix
The Austrian Grand Prix was a Formula One race.The first event, in 1964, was held at a race track on the Zeltweg Airfield. The race was a success, but the track was deemed too dangerous; it was narrow and very bumpy, and spectators complained of poor viewing areas...
. Watson won the race that year and finished 7th in the World Championship.
Penske and IndyCars
He stayed with Penske in some capacity until 1987. From 1977 until 1980 he was the general manager of Penske Cars' manufacturing facility in PoolePoole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
, England. He became Penske's Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
of racing, and watched the team win four PPG Cups
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
(series championships) and four Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
-mile races. Some of the most successful American drivers came through the Penske power house during that period, including Rick Mears
Rick Mears
Rick Ravon Mears is a retired American race car driver. He is one of three men to have won the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race four times , and the current record-holder for pole positions in the race with six...
, Bobby Unser
Bobby Unser
Robert William "Bobby" Unser is a retired U.S. automobile racer. He is the brother of Al Unser, Jerry Unser and Louie Unser, the father of Robby Unser, and the uncle of Al Unser, Jr. and Johnny Unser...
, Al Unser Sr. and Danny Sullivan
Danny Sullivan
Daniel John "Danny" Sullivan III is a former racing driver from the United States. He is best known for winning the 1985 Indianapolis 500.-Before racing:...
.
Porsche and team ownership
In 1988 the lone PorschePorsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
Indy Car team suffered a tragic loss with the death of team owner Al Holbert
Al Holbert
Alvah Robert "Al" Holbert was an American automobile racing driver who was a five-time champion of the IMSA Camel GT series.- Life and career :...
and Walker took over team management. With driver Teo Fabi
Teo Fabi
Teodorico Fabi , better known as Teo Fabi, is an Italian former racing driver.-Career:Fabi participated in 71 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on January 23, 1982. He achieved 2 podiums, and scored a total of 23 championship points...
they won the race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a road course auto racing facility located in Troy Township, Morrow County, Ohio, United States, just outside of the village of Lexington...
which proved to be the only one in the storied marque's Indy Car career. When the team went under Walker purchased the assets of the team and renamed it Walker Motorsports.
Walker ran Willy T. Ribbs
Willy T. Ribbs
William "Willy" Theodore Ribbs, Jr. is a racecar driver who competed in many forms of auto racing. After retiring, he became a sport shooter in the National Sporting Clays Association....
sporadically until 1994, but enjoyed his best success in the early seasons with Scott Goodyear
Scott Goodyear
Scott Goodyear is a former race car driver from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Goodyear ran the IRL and Champ Car series during his career from 1987, winning the Michigan 500 in 1992 and 1994...
. Goodyear came second to Al Unser, Jr.
Al Unser, Jr.
Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:...
in the 1992 Indianapolis 500
1992 Indianapolis 500
The 76th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24, 1992. The race is famous for the fierce battle in the closing laps, as race winner Al Unser, Jr...
by 0.043 seconds, the closest finish to date in the race's history, and later won the 1992 Michigan 500 for Walker over then-Penske newcomer Paul Tracy
Paul Tracy
Paul Tracy is a professional automobile racer who has competed in CART, the ChampCar World Series and the IndyCar Series...
. Goodyear and Robby Gordon
Robby Gordon
Robert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series...
spent large amounts of time with Walker, with 1996 their last seasons. Gordon left to pursue a further NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
career with Goodyear off to the new Indy Racing League. Walker hired Gil de Ferran
Gil de Ferran
Gil de Ferran , is a professional racing driver and team owner. De Ferran was the 2000 and 2001 Champ Car champion driving for the Penske Honda Team and the winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500.Inspired by the success of fellow Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi, de Ferran began his career in kart racing...
, who came close to winning the 1997 title without winning a single race. He ran a second car for Naoki Hattori
Naoki Hattori
is a motoring journalist and racing driver from Japan. After being Japanese Formula 3 champion in 1990, he failed to pre-qualify for two Formula One grands prix with Coloni in 1991 as a late-season replacement for Pedro Chaves...
and Memo Gidley
Memo Gidley
José Guillermo "Memo" Gidley is a Mexican-American racing driver, of German and Canadian ancestry, born in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico in 1973. He holds dual citizenship - American and Mexican....
in 1999 but neither did well. Walker also ran a team in the Indy Racing League for Sarah Fisher
Sarah Fisher
Sarah Marie Fisher is a retired American professional racecar driver who competed in the IZOD IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500...
in 2000 and 2001 with limited success.
A litany of pay-drivers
In 2000 GoodyearGoodyear Tire and Rubber Company
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling. Goodyear manufactures tires for automobiles, commercial trucks, light trucks, SUVs, race cars, airplanes, farm equipment and heavy earth-mover machinery....
, Walker's tire supplier, pulled out of Indy Car racing and with de Ferran off to Penske
Penske Racing
Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series and NASCAR. They also previously competed in road racing, and Formula One. Penske Racing is a division of Penske Corporation, and is owned and chaired by Roger Penske...
, ironically enough, Walker was forced to hire a pay-driver and found one in F1 refugee Shinji Nakano
Shinji Nakano
Shinji Nakano is a racing driver from Japan.His father, Tsuneharu was also a racing driver who competed in the All-Japan Formula Three Championship etc.-Pre Formula One Career:-Formula One Career:...
. It must be said though Nakano did not cover himself in shame and did a fair job, doing better than was expected despite missing a couple of races due to a testing accident. Bryan Herta
Bryan Herta
Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Firestone Indy Lights Series...
filled in but was unavailable to run full-time in 2001. Walker hired another Japanese ex-F1 driver in Toranosuke Takagi
Toranosuke Takagi
Toranosuke Takagi, known simply as Tora Takagi is a Japanese race car driver.- Early career :...
, who brought sponsorship from Pioneer
Pioneer Corporation
is a multinational corporation that specializes in digital entertainment products, based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. The company was founded in 1938 in Tokyo as a radio and speaker repair shop...
. Takagi stayed two seasons with Rodolfo Lavin
Rodolfo Lavin
Rodolfo Lavín is a Mexican racing driver from San Luis Potosí. He most notably raced in the Champ Car World Series.In Mexico, Lavín raced in Formula Azteca and Formula 3. With funding in the form of sponsorship from Corona, with whom his father is on the board, Lavin raced in Indy Lights from...
and Darren Manning
Darren Manning
Darren Manning is a motor racing driver, most recently racing in the IRL IndyCar Series for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.-Early career:...
running out-dated Reynard
Reynard Motorsport
Reynard Motorsport was at one time the world's largest racing car manufacturer. Initially based at Bicester and latterly at Reynard Park, Brackley, England the company built successful cars in Formula Ford 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula Three, Formula 3000 and Indy...
chassis in 2003. The team ran a third car for Luis Diaz at Mexico City. Manning scored the team's best result of the year, finishing 2nd in a bizarre race at Surfer's Paradise. Unfortunately he left for Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. They have won 4 Champ Car, 3 Indy Racing League and 1 Grand-Am championships...
and Walker downsized to one car, running the lone Reynard for Mario Haberfeld
Mario Haberfeld
Mario Haberfeld is a Brazilian auto racing driver.After winning the British Formula Three Championship in 1998, he drove in Formula 3000 from 1999 until 2002. He posted some decent results, but struggled his first season driving for the McLaren junior team failing to score a single point while...
.
A new era
Following the 2004 season, Walker sold a share of the team to Australian businessmen Craig GoreCraig Gore
Craig Gore is a property developer, from Queensland, Australia. He is the son of property developer Mike Gore.-Business affairs:He is the former owner of the Australian financial planning chain "WPS", property development company "Consolidated Construction", luxury home builder "Consolidated...
and John Fish
John Fish
John "Jack"/"Jackie" Fish was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1890s and 1900s who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Warrington, playing at , i.e...
, with this deal seeing the operation rebranded as Team Australia
Team Australia
Team Australia was an Auto racing team competing in the V8 Supercars and Champ Car World Series. It was created in early 2005 when two Australian businessmen bought into Derrick Walker's Walker Racing operation...
. The team signed Alex Tagliani
Alex Tagliani
Alexandre Tagliani is a Canadian auto racing driver from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He currently competes in the IZOD IndyCar Series, driving the #77 entry for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.-Champ Car career:...
and Marcus Marshall
Marcus Marshall
Marcus Marshall is a former Champ Car driver from Australia. Before that he raced in British Formula Three, where he was generally a running outside the top ten, but took a hard fought win in a wet race. He contested 12 races in 2005 for Derrick Walker's renamed Team Australia Racing...
to run Aussie Vineyards-sponsored Lola chassis for the 2005 season, with Walker remaining at the helm of the team. In late 2005 Will Power
Will Power
William Steven Power is an Australian motorsport driver, who currently competes in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, driving for Team Penske.-Australian Racing:...
was drafted in place of Marshall, with the Power/Tagliani combination proving a solid one as the team rises with the added stability and increased funding under the Team Australia relationship.
In 2006 Team Australia also established a Champ Car Atlantic Championship
Champ Car Atlantic Championship
The Cooper Tires presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda was a formula race car series with races throughout North America. It is often colloquially referred to as the Atlantic Championship, Champ Car Atlantics , Toyota Atlantics , or just Atlantics or Formula...
team for drivers James Davison
James Davison
James Davison, born 28 August 1986 in Melbourne, Australia, is a third-generation race driver whose father Jon Davison was a Formula 5000 competitor and was the long-running promotor of racing events at Sandown Raceway. Davison's grandfather, Lex Davison, was a four-time winner of the Australian...
and Simon Pagenaud
Simon Pagenaud
Simon Pagenaud is a French race car driver born in Poitiers. He currently races in the IZOD IndyCar Series with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.-Career:...
. Walker is also co-owner of Formula BMW USA team Walker Haberfeld Racing, with former Walker driver Mario Haberfeld for drivers Marco Santos and David Rangel.
On 7 April 2007, Walker won his first race as a team owner since 1999. Team Australia's Will Power
Will Power
William Steven Power is an Australian motorsport driver, who currently competes in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, driving for Team Penske.-Australian Racing:...
won the inaugural Las Vegas GP.