Walkinshaw Group seeks new chief

A NEW managing director is being sought for Melbourne-based Walkinshaw Racing and its performance products and sports car spin-off, Walkinshaw Performance, after the resignation of Craig Wilson.

Mr Wilson is said to have quit both posts for family reasons on Friday, and was followed out the door yesterday by Rob Crawford, manager of the Holden Racing Team (HRT) – Walkinshaw Racing’s marquee race outfit in V8 Supercars.

Walkinshaw Racing finance director Ivan Krizman will take over as acting managing director for both Walkinshaw Racing and Walkinshaw Performance until a new MD is appointed.

Walkinshaw Racing and Walkinshaw Performance are sister companies to Holden Special Vehicles and all are controlled by the family of one-time British touring car star and HSV founder Tom Walkinshaw, who died last December.

Mr Wilson’s resignation was announced by Mr Walkinshaw’s widow, Martine, in a statement that said: “Craig has resigned his position as managing director of Walkinshaw Racing in order to spend more time with his family.



Left: Walkinshaw Racing managing director, Craig Wilson. Below: Holden Racing Team manager, Rob Crawford.

“We all know the commitment required at this level of racing, and Craig has decided that he requires time to pursue other priorities.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Craig for his years of service, his support to the Walkinshaw family and wish him the best in the next phase of his life.”GoAuto understands that the Walkinshaw Group will look to recruit a direct replacement for Mr Wilson to manage both Walkinshaw Racing and Walkinshaw Performance.

Walkinshaw Racing is the umbrella company that not only manages HRT and Bundaberg Racing in V8 Supercars as well as entries in V8 Utes and the Fujitsu Series, but also supplies racing equipment to other race teams, including engines to Garry Rogers Motorsport.

Walkinshaw Performance bought Melbourne sports car company, Elfin Sports Cars, in 2007, and also develops and sells a range of high-performance accessories for V8 Commodores, including super-charger kits, under the Walkinshaw Performance Tuning brand.

Mr Wilson, a one-time engineer with Toyota Australia, worked for Mr Walkinshaw’s TWR in the UK before returning to Australia in 2005 to head up Walkinshaw Racing.

He was a regular fixture at V8 Supercar meetings, overseeing the operation of the Clayton-based teams and liaising between Holden, team managers – including Rob Crawford – and, until his death, Mr Walkinshaw in the UK.

Although the Walkinshaw Group appears to be in no rush to replace Mr Wilson, reports suggest a replacement for HRT chief Rob Crawford is expected within days.