In the foreword to John Smile's excellent book, “Formula One, The Australian and New Zealand Story”, Australia's former world champion Alan Jones said:

“Formula One remains a game of chance.

“It is true that you make your own luck, but in Formula One the house holds more of the cards than any casino.

Getting to race in Formula One is not always like a Hollywood movie where the good guy suffers adversity but invariably conquers all. There are many sliding door moments where a decision helps you to progress or stalls your chance to fully shine.

The life and times of a Formula One driver covers a wide range of people and situations. Twenty-four Australians have raced in Formula One championship events.

Tim Schenken was an Aussie who raced in the category in the early seventies. He competed in 36 championship events.

He has continued an association and officiating with motor racing and has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. He joins us on the line now.

Segments of the interview

1:22 – As a young lad, the first times he went and watched motor racing events

3:09 – Why he developed a liking for Sterling Moss

5:06 – “Borrowing” his mother’s car to “go to the beach” but ending up racing at Calder Park

7:38 – Natural driving skills and how he learned to drive fast

10:58 – Invited onto Lex Davison’s team then tragedy struck two other drivers. He drove the next week and the pressed asked “would he be next”. Some of the first dealings with the press

14:11 – of to the UK to seek success – four people sleeping in one bedroom.

17:27 – Early racing and scrounging parts bins to make car more competitive then getting into a professional team

24:32 – not just being fast but race craft

26:08 – The first chance at formula 1 – not in the best car

31:57 – Formula one cars had large tyres, more power and aerodynamics. How different did it feel

33:09 – Coping with increased G forces

35:01 – Joining team Brabham and working with team mate Graham Hill.

41:36 – Brabham is bought by Bernie Eccleston – a master of the deal and marketing

43:15 – Gong to Surtees – John Surtees was hard to work with

48:46 – Starting a race car building company – they built some 600 cars but not a way to make money.

56:41 – Had opportunities to drive some exotic road cars but the Aston Martin DB4 did not live up to its looks