Motorsport administrator
The late John Large is one of those rally navigators who’s gone on to high levels of motorsport administration.
A successful pharmacist then rally navigator, he partnered fellow West Australian Ross Dunkerton, when they became Australian rally champions in 1975.
John then jumped to motor sport administration, becoming President of CAMS just eight years later, in 1983. He remains the longest running CAMS president, holding the office for 12 years, until 1994.
CAMS then created the position of President of Honour, with John its first holder.
During John’s time as president he became a member of the FIA Motor Sport Council, which led to him playing a major role in Australia securing its first F1 World Championship Grand Prix in 1985. Just four years later, we gained a world rally championship round.
John was elected vice president of the FIA in 1990. Working with motoring journo and former racer, Max Stahl less than two years later, they founded Targa Tasmania.
But John was far from finished, being elected to the FIA senate in 2001. In 2004 he was appointed deputy president of the newly created FIA Institute of Motor Racing Safety.
John Large lived up to his name, serving CAMS and motor sport not only in Australia but at the FIA. His service was acknowledged with him being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.