Tom Watkinson's earliest interest in motor racing was in billy carts at CEBS which was followed by an interest in a young woman whose brother was good mates with Gary Willmington, a Bathurst 1000 regular competitor. Only Peter Brock, Dick Johnson and Bob Holden have competed in more Bathurst's.

Through this friend Tom met Gary Willmington and struck up a friendship which continues to this day. In 1975 Gary brought John Goss's '74 Bathurst 1000 winning Falcon. Tom started crewing for Gary for some two years before deciding to build his first RX3 Mazda.

Since those early days of motor racing Tom has won the Goodyear Street Sedan Championship six times, the only person to have won it more than once; he is the last AARC Champion. In 1989 Tom switched categories to Production Cars now called GT Production and in his first year won the Amscar under 2 litre championship. Late that same year the first ever race at Sydney's Eastern Creek racetrack thereby becoming the first driver in the world to win a race outright in a SUZUKI. Tom has competed in 4 Bathurst 1000's in '89 in a Toyota Supra Turbo, '92 Holden Commodore, '93 Ford Falcon supercar and in '98 a V6 Mazda 626 winning his class. Tom has competed in 4 Bathurst 12hr races coming 2nd in his class and 10th outright in '92 having led his class up to the 12hr mark but ran out of fuel to roll home in 2nd position.

In 1997 and '98 with Calvin Gardiner won the Bathurst Production Car 3hr Showdown and Tom has featured with victories in other events such as Sandown.

Tom's Christianity is part of his life, which was initiated by his parents in a Christian home. In his early high school days Tom recognised that Christ needed to be the centre of his life. During his late teens and early twenties Tom developed his faith through his local church St Phillips Kingswood in Sydney and in 1982 married Carol-ann. They have two children, Melanie 14 and Kirk 13, who now is one of Tom's pit crew and starting in go-karts this year.

As a Christian in top motor racing Tom's philosophy is to maintain an unassuming role in victory or loss and that the Lord is the driving force in his life. Tom regularly speaks at churches, mens breakfasts, youth rallies etc., and continues to be available. His family life sustains his character and brings him down to earth. Carol is keen to see motor racing wives / partners ministry. Tom received the 1998 NSW ANSVAR-SLM Christian Athlete Award at the SLM National Forum.

Article courtesy of SLM