10 Years On - Don Watson

[Just Do It!]

It is hard to believe that it is 10 years since Don Watson was killed at the end of Conrod Straight, Mount Panorama, Bathurst, Australia.

I still remember with vividness hearing of the news over here in NZ. I was in my 2nd to last year of secondary school and dreaming almost continuously of the impending race.

I don't know anything about Don Watson, and would appreciate input from those who do about his personality, and his racing history.

I still remember the photo in The Dominion newspaper over here showing far too much detail.

It's hard to take away anything from these situations, but Don died whilst living his dream - a feat that is seldom ever occurs in life.

[marcus]

Don Watson owned a huge trucking Company and the company is still going and thriving (I work just down the road from one of his depots) , I believe his wife initially took over the running of the Company but not sure if she still has control now.

I also dont know much about Don except for the fact that I think he drove production cars and then moved on to V8 Supercars.

I believe 94 was his first seaon in v8's and the car looked great that much i can say , and from what I remember he was doing pretty well in his efforts.

Sadly he had his tragic accident at bathurst and Don was lost to us , I still remember the haunting images on the news that night.

other than that i dont know much about him but it certainly was a sad loss to both the sport and the transport community.

RIP Don

[GTRMagic]

Can you believe it is 15 years now?

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Can you believe it is 15 years now?

No I sure can't. Where has the time gone?

My interest in Australian motorsport was first stoked when I first saw a brief clip of Bathurst on TV here in the USA back in 1993. My Dad the following year on a trip to Australia brought me home a bunch of racing magazines and in one was a brief mention about Don Watson passing away at Bathurst. I didn't know anything about him at the time but learned more as the years went on.