Motorpsort: Ambition a rich fuel for Radisich

By BOB PEARCE

Paul Radisich is one of New Zealand's most successful racing drivers. Now 41, he lives on the Gold Coast with wife Patricia and their daughter, Emilia, 2 1/2.


Q. What was your first car?

A. A Fiat Bambina. My dad Frank had a 24-hour service station in Henderson. Cars were like potato chips. They were everywhere. Frank had done some work on the Bambina and the bill was more than the Bambina so it had become part of the fleet. At that stage I was about seven and he jimmied up the seat so I could reach everything and I broke axle after axle practising my starts. The mechanics used to wash down the workshop floor with kerosene and I'd do pirouettes there.

Q. First race car?

A. Probably mum's Mazda 323. When my brother, Chris, was 15 and I was 17 we did the Benson & Hedges long-distance race in it. I think we were leading the class and with about an hour to go we got a blowout, so I think we finished second in class. Mum didn't realise that after Chris had finished school, we'd say we were going to work on her car and we'd whip out to Pukekohe. She never worked out why she had no brakes and square tyres all the time.

Q. Best moment in motorsport?

A. It would have to be the first World Cup race in Monza. The Italians are the only ones who can pronounce my name properly. They can roll it off really well.

I was totally unknown and to stick it on pole and to have that much world attention and win the races was unbelievable. The races were wet-dry wet-dry with 300 Alfa Romeos behind me and the Alfa Romeo pace cars did their best to make it as difficult as they could for me.

Q. What would you be doing if you weren't a race driver?

A. Definitely something to do with cars. I finished my apprenticeship but I don't think I'd be a mechanic. I actually hated being a mechanic.

I got too dirty and I never got up early enough.

Q. Are you any good around the house?

A. I'm actually quite a good handyman. I've only electrocuted myself a couple of times.

Q. Favourite recreation?

A. I enjoy watersports. I like jet-skiing and boating and I live by the sea.

Q. And the worst?

A. Here probably, in the first race with the Supercar at Pukekohe. A lot was expected of the car and it was uncompetitive. In the first turn of the first race we got bumped into the barriers. It was very demoralising and quite hard to take.

Q. How close did you get to Formula One?

A. Not that close. I made a conscious decision in about 1991 that I was sick of living in the back of a little Golf station wagon and I needed to start earning some money to stay alive. When I started looking at other avenues the touring car door opened. Sometimes in life you can keep chasing your dream, but you can also change tack a little bit and doors open.

Q. How long do you think you'll want to keep racing?

A. When I was in my late 20s, I said to myself that by 40 I'd be happy to stop. But now I'd like to get something out of this championship. I got very close a few years ago, but things dropped away. I believe that with the package I've got now I can get something and I'd like to do that before I stop.

Q. Your favourite race car?

A. Normally any car that wins races, and that would include the Ford Mondeo in the World Cup. When you're driving these things right on the limit, none of them feel great, but when the chequered flag arrives they're the best.

Q. Biggest surprise when you first drove a V8 Supercar?

A. The fact that you're committed to one line. The two-litre car was very nimble and you could brake late. These cars, there's one line and you're committed to it.

Q. Toughest guy to pass?

A. Paul Radisich! At least I don't have to pass him.

Q. Favourite tracks?

A. Bathurst and Donington Park in England.

Q. Advice for young NZ single-seater drivers who don't know what to do next?

A. Kids these days want to earn money right away. I didn't earn any money racing until my late 20s because I wanted to follow my dream. They've got to learn their craft and single-seaters is the best way to learn. It's a hard row to hoe. Scott Dixon has achieved it and I believe we're going to see him in Formula One. It shows us all that with the right timing, determination and talent it can happen.

Q. Who was your hero when you started racing?

A. Denny Hulme.

Q. Are you rich enough to retire at 42?

A. There's no such thing as rich enough. Every time I've made a break over the years I've always come back to this. So I may stop for a little while but I think I'll be drawn back, be it in commentary or in a team.