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Former Formula 1 driver and long-time race official Tim Schenken has been awarded an Order of Australia medal as part of today’s Queen’s Birthday honours.
The 72-year-old’s F1 career spanned from 1970-74 and saw him become just the second Australian to score a podium finish.
While largely hampered by poor equipment in F1, Schenken’s driving career also included a factory Ferrari drive in sportscars, helping the famed marque to victory in the 1972 World Championship of Makes.
Currently holding the position Director of Racing Operations with the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, Schenken acts as the Race Director for the Supercars Championship.
His role as a race official has seen him as the Clerk of the Course for the Australian F1 Grand Prix since 1988.
“It’s a great honour and of which I am incredibly proud,” said Schenken of today’s OAM.
“I feel privileged to have spent most of my life in motor sport in one capacity or another.
“Motor racing has been more than a job, it has been a great passion of mine.
“Whether as a driver, team manager, constructor, official and in my role at CAMS, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people and enjoy the challenges and changes in the sport over a long period of time.
“I would like to thank my family, particularly my wife Brigitte, for their constant support.
“I would also like to acknowledge my colleagues and friends at CAMS, the FIA and Supercars.”
CAMS President Andrew Papadopoulos paid tribute to Schenken’s efforts for the sport.
“We are extremely proud of Tim and all he has achieved,” Papadopoulos said.
“He has left an indelible mark on our sport. Whether as an administrator, Race Director, Clerk of Course or Steward in Australia or overseas, Tim’s work has always been of the highest order.
“His contribution to Australian motor sport cannot be underestimated and it continues to this day.
“On behalf of CAMS and the Australian motor sport community, I offer my wholehearted congratulations to him and his family for this prestigious honour.”
Timothy Theodore Schenken Career Highlights
1970– 1974: Formula One Driver; raced in 35 F1 World Championship Grands Prix and driven for teams such as Brabham, Frank Williams Engineering, Ferrari and Lotus.
1968: British Formula Ford Champion.
1968: British Formula 3 Championship.
1969: French Craven A Formula 3 Series.
1971: 14th in F1 Drivers Championship, including a best result of 3rd in the Austrian Grand Prix and 6th in the German Grand Prix.
1972: 1st in World Championship for Makes, with wins in Buenos Aires 1000km and Nurburgring 1000km.
1971: 4th in European Formula 2 Championship.
1975: 3rd in Interserie Championship.
1975: 2nd in European GT Championship.
1976: 3rd in European GT Championship.
1976: 5th in Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft.
1977: 1st in International ADAC Nurburgring 1000-Kilometer-Rennen.
1976–1982: TIGA, a racing car manufacturer: co-partner and director.
1985–1987: Deputy Clerk of the Course, Australian F1 Grand Prix.
1987–1996: Race Director, Australian Touring Car Championship.
1988–current: Clerk of the Course , Australian Grand Prix.
1993–current: Chairman, Australian F1 Grand Prix Organising Committee.
1997–current: Race Director, Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.
2002–current: Director, Racing Operations, Confederation of Australian Motor Sport.
2002–2015: Director, South Australian Motor Sport Board.
2002–current: Member, FIA Touring Car Commission.
2010–current: Vice-President, FIA Circuits Commission.
2010–current: International Steward, FIA World Touring Car Championship.
2014–current: Member of the panel of Permanent Stewards, FIA Formula E Championship.
