- Mark Larkham
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Mark Larkham Nationality Australian Born 29 December 1963
BenallaATCC / V8 Supercar Years active 1995-2004 Teams Larkham Motor Sport Starts 104 Poles 1 Best finish 11th in 1998 Australian Touring Car Championship Previous series 1988-89
1990
1990-93Australian Formula Ford
Australian Production Cars
Australian Drivers' Champ.Championship titles 1989
1993Australian Formula Ford
Indonesian Grand PrixMark Larkham (born 29 December 1963 in Benalla, Victoria) is a retired Australian racing driver, former racing team owner and television commentator.
Contents
Open wheelers
Mark Larkham's first impressions on the national racing spotlight was finishing fifth in the 1988 Australian Formula Ford Championship. The following year with the support of the front running Coffey Ford team Larkham swept to the 1989 title,[1] creating an early rivalry with Russell Ingall. Larkham was hired by Advantage Racing for the 1989 enduro season, but was not required for the Bathurst 1000 when Andy Rouse joined the team. His Bathurst debut would not occur for another 16 years.
Forming his own Larkham Motor Sport team, Larkham made a brief attempt at running a Ford EA Falcon in the Australian Production Car Championship, Larkham returned to open-wheelers at the wheel of a Ralt RT20 in Formula Holden. In his first season Larkham finished third in the 1991 Australian Drivers' Championship and was the only driver to take a win away from Mark Skaife. The following year Larkham imported a Reynard 90D, the first driver to exploit the relaxation of Formula Holden rules which had previously prevented cars constructed of carbon-fibre. It was not enough to defeat Skaife however and Larkham ended runner up.
In 1993 Larkham again raced head-to-head with Skaife, now also sporting a carbon-fibre car, and again Larkham lost the title to Skaife. Larkham did however claim Formula Holden's first international event, the 1993 Indonesian Grand Prix.[2][3]
Touring cars
After spending 1994 out of the sport, Larkham's team stepped into V8 Touring Cars in 1995 with an innovative car design, bringing their open wheel experience and principles to touring car racing. They team had a troubled season, failing to score a single point. Some of their innovations spread across the sport however. The team gradually improved, a highlight was third place at the 1997 Bathurst Classic working itself into a position where it could attract international quality co-drivers.[4] By 1998 much of vehicle preparation was being handled by Stone Brothers Racing, promoting Larkham into a race winning combination, the win finally coming at the 1998 Surfers Paradise Indycar event. 1999 continued improved performances, Larkham taking pole position at the Bathurst 1000. During this time Larkham also first served on the board of TEGA.
In 2003 the team expanded to a second car with Jason Bargwanna taking on lead driving role. Larkham scaled back his driving involvement with Mark Winterbottom taking Larkham's place as full time driver. Larkham's final racing drive was at the 2004 Bathurst 1000. After the 2005 season Larkham Motor Sport was sold into the WPS Racing,[5] with Larkham taking over team management role with WPS, however this did not last the season and Larkham retired from the sport.
Television
Larkham returned to the sport as part of Channel 7's television broadcast coverage of V8 Supercar. Larkham has been used as their on air technical guru, explaining to the wider audience V8 Supercar's intricacies. Larkham also acts as one of the pit reporters during the races. Larkham also acts as frequent guest and occasional co-host with Neil Crompton and Mark Skaife of V8 Xtra program.[6]
Larkham also serves on the board of the Australian Institute for Motor Sport Safety.[7]
Career results
Some results sources from:[8]
References
- ^ "2010 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport: Australian Titles" (pdf). Confederation of Australian Motor Sport. http://www.camsmanual.com.au/pdf/01_about/AC07_Titles_Australian_Q110.pdf. Retrieved 2010-04-27.[dead link]
- ^ "Indonesian Grand Prix 1993, Sentul (RI)". Unofficial F3000. Archived from the original on 2009-10-21. http://uk.geocities.com/unofficialf3000/nonchampionship/indonesia93.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ^ Normoyle, Steve (1993). Australian Motor Racing Year 1993/94. 23. Chevron Publishing Group. pp. 166–170. ISSN 0158-4138.
- ^ "Alain Menu profile". news.com.au. http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/04/22/210765_gold-coast-600.html. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ^ "Larkham Sells V8 Supercar Licenses". nmd.com.au. 2006-01-31. http://www.nmd.com.au/nmd/news/details/4790. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ^ "Mark Larkham - Pit Reporter". The Official website of the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series. http://www.v8supercars.com.au/Calendar/TVBroadcastSchedule/AboutChannel7/MarkLarkham/tabid/171/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ^ "Australian Institute for Motor Sport Safety: Board". Confederation of Australian Motor Sport. http://www.aimss.com.au/en/About/Board.aspx. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ^ [1]
Categories:- Australian racecar drivers
- V8 Supercar drivers
- Motorsport announcers
- Formula Ford drivers
- Formula Holden drivers
- Australian Touring Car Championship drivers
- 1963 births
- Living people
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