Ron Walker retires as Chairman of Australian Grand Prix Corporation

After 22 years leading the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC), Ron Walker has retired from Victoria’s motorsports events body.

Walker has chaired the board since 1993, three years before the Formula One race was first contested in Melbourne.

Since then, the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix has entertained more than 6,000,000 fans at Albert Park and annually promotes Melbourne via free to air television, news reports and global media to hundreds of millions of fans throughout the world.

Walker's ongoing dedication to the AGPC has continued to evolve, with him most recently securing the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from 2016 through to 2020.

Commenting on his achievements, Walker said in a statement “it has been an absolute delight to have served six Premiers.

“Together, we have built the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix into Australia's largest single day sporting event and the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix into the largest international sporting event in regional Australia."

Walker's passion for both Melbourne and motorsport is unprecedented and he has played an instrumental role in promoting the City as the sporting and cultural capital of Australia.

The Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix is broadcast to 200 territories around the world, including many of Victoria's key trading partners at prime time, such as China, India, Russia and Japan. This global branding exposure for Melbourne is unrivalled by any other Victorian Major Event.

Walker thanked the dedicated volunteers and staff who have shaped the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix and Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, adding “the success of these two great events has simply not been possible without their hard work and commitment. I also thank my fellow Directors of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, for their trust and loyalty over the past 22 years.”

In parting, Walker urged the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to adopt Bernie Eccclestone's latest proposal to reintroduce twin turbo V6 engines with 1000 brake horse power that would continue to excite the crowds.

In addition to his role with the AGPC, Walker also served Victoria in an honorary capacity as the founding Chairman of the Victorian Major Events Company for 10 years and as Chairman of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Organising and Bid Committee for 10 years.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation Deputy Chairman, and former Chief Executive of 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup and Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, John Harnden, will be Acting Chairman until a new Chairman is appointed. 

For more information on the 2015 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix go to www.motogp.com.au

3rd August 2014 - AUSTRALIAN F1 GRAND PRIX TO STAY IN MELBOURNE UNTIL 2020

24th March 2014 - RON WALKER TO STEP DOWN FROM AUSTRALIAN F1 ROLE