Vale: Graham Watson
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I thought it would be approproate to post in this forum given the mans influence on Single seater racing, especially for Aussie's and Kiwis coming from karts.
The sad news came though 2 days ago that Graham Watson, owner of the RALT Australia team and a renowned 'spotter' and developer of young driving talent, passed away last night after a brief fight with cancer.
Wattie has played a massive role in developing and supporting the careers of many young drivers from both Australia and New Zealand. The list - including Scott Dixon, Will Power, James Kovacic and Tom Tweedie - is long and a testament to his abilities to not only spot talent, but help them along a path to a professional career of the sport.
Graham passed away while recovering from a stomach operation (removal of a non malignant ulcer) in a central coast hospital. He was snatched away from his family and motorsport way too early and will be sorely missed by everyone.
In his passing, Open Wheel racing - in particular 'wings and slicks' racing - has lost a massive supporter. Wattie was not a rich man but his support came by bringing an astonishing amount of amazing talent though the ranks, and contributing masses of knowledge, enthusiasm and support to the series in which he was involved.
He served on the administrations of both Formula Holden and, recently, Formula 3, and was continually pushing for the continued growth of the sport in Australia.
People like this are few and far between and as such it is a massive blow to lose someone like him for everyone in the sport, both professionally and personally.
The paddock of the next Formula 3 race is going to be a mighty strange place without Graham's figure, customary headset on, kneeling next to his latest charge trying to coax the most out of another talented young driver.
Mighty strange indeed. Rest in peace, Wattie.
In the meantime, may I suggest you visit www.ralt.com.au. The site has not been updated for a few years but there are some wonderful memories there that detail just how enthusiastic he was about the sport and 'his' drivers.
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I thought it would be approproate to post in this forum given the mans influence on Single seater racing, especially for Aussie's and Kiwis coming from karts.
The sad news came though 2 days ago that Graham Watson, owner of the RALT Australia team and a renowned 'spotter' and developer of young driving talent, passed away last night after a brief fight with cancer.
Wattie has played a massive role in developing and supporting the careers of many young drivers from both Australia and New Zealand. The list - including Scott Dixon, Will Power, James Kovacic and Tom Tweedie - is long and a testament to his abilities to not only spot talent, but help them along a path to a professional career of the sport.
Graham passed away while recovering from a stomach operation (removal of a non malignant ulcer) in a central coast hospital. He was snatched away from his family and motorsport way too early and will be sorely missed by everyone.
In his passing, Open Wheel racing - in particular 'wings and slicks' racing - has lost a massive supporter. Wattie was not a rich man but his support came by bringing an astonishing amount of amazing talent though the ranks, and contributing masses of knowledge, enthusiasm and support to the series in which he was involved.
He served on the administrations of both Formula Holden and, recently, Formula 3, and was continually pushing for the continued growth of the sport in Australia.
People like this are few and far between and as such it is a massive blow to lose someone like him for everyone in the sport, both professionally and personally.
The paddock of the next Formula 3 race is going to be a mighty strange place without Graham's figure, customary headset on, kneeling next to his latest charge trying to coax the most out of another talented young driver.
Mighty strange indeed. Rest in peace, Wattie.
In the meantime, may I suggest you visit www.ralt.com.au. The site has not been updated for a few years but there are some wonderful memories there that detail just how enthusiastic he was about the sport and 'his' drivers.
Views: 41
Comments1
Hi Val,
Very sad news indeed. I haven't spoken to Graham in a long time, but my business was next door to his in Hornsby for many years. He was a huge supporter of young talent in Australia & New Zealand, and he will be sorely missed.
My sincere condolences to Graham's family at this sad time.
Kind regards,
Stephen McLaine