Our very own Australian karting icon, John Pizarro, received one of the sport’s highest honours when he was inducted into the karting section of the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame on March 24.
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“It was totally unexpected,” the 72-year-old said.
“Never did I think I would qualify for something like this, it’s a fair compliment for a bush bunny.”
John’s racing career spanned five decades and saw him compete all over the world.
He started in 1964, aged 19.
“It was just one of those sports that appealed to me,” he said.
“I rode motorcycles but decided to start karting because it was fun and I thought it would be safer.”
John considers himself a grass roots karter, starting off with a home made kart fitted with a small motorcycle engine.
He originally had to travel to Orange as there was no karting in Parkes.
“Orange Kart Club was my main club in the early days,” he said.
The 15-time Australian Champion also competed in six world championships and has raced in the same team as Ayrton Senna.
“I never did any good but I learnt a hell of a lot,” John said.
“I raced three times in Japan, won a team race there, and set the track record in 1980.”
John qualified in Japan on special qualifying tyres.
“If I’d known how good they were I reckon I’d have gone half a second quicker,” he laughed.
“I also raced in Hong Kong more than half a dozen times, the first time in 1973.”
John and Marilyn’s eldest daughter Kristine also had a successful karting career, winning the Australian Championship for women in 1983 and 1986.
“I wouldn’t let our other daughters Lisa, Annette and Narelle race,” John said.
“There was too much pressure on them to win all the time due to my success.”
John retired from racing at the age of 50 after setting the track record and placing third in the twin class at Dubbo.
“Your bones start to get brittle,” he laughed.
“I finished my racing career with 15 National Championships, two CIK International Championships and more than 30 national placings.
John said he is still interested in the sport.
“Karting Australia has named a perpetual trophy after me,” he said.
“I generally present that each year.”
John was first recognised locally when he won the inaugural Champion Post Esso Sportsman of the Year in 1973 and again in 1978.
In 1979 he won the Central West Sportsman of the Year and in December 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in recognition for his services to the sporting community.
The Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame was launched last year with an inaugural list of 30 inductees.
John was recognised as one of this year’s 21 inductees.
“When you see people like Sir Jack Brabham, Peter Brock and Ron Tauranac, it’s a pretty illustrious group,” he said.
“I’m rather proud and humbled.”
John accepted his award from Karting Australia Chairman and five-time MotoGP champion Mick Doohan at the induction gala dinner at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
During his acceptance speech, John thanked Marilyn, his wife of 53 years, his four daughters, long-time mechanic and great friend Robert Gill, and the people involved in the selection process for firstly recognising the important role karting can play in the career of a race driver and, equally, that the sport can be a career within itself.
“It was a big show,” John said.
“The whole family were there, we had two tables of family and friends from Australia and New Zealand.
“The next day I went to the Formula 1 with some friends.
“I’d say most of those Formula 1 blokes started their careers in karting.”
The retired businessman has recently sold his business Sparkle Clean Wash'N'Wax.
“Now that I’ve sold the car wash I have 50 years of neglect on the farm to keep me going,” he said.
“I got off the motorbike after rounding up cattle to call in here to the Champion Post.”
Riding a motorbike is no mean feat for any 72-year-old let alone a man living with Parkinson’s disease.
“I was diagnosed 15 year’s ago” John said.
“I had a life-changing operation in 2001 which was very successful, I wouldn’t be walking without it, I would be in a wheelchair by now.
John has a battery implanted in his chest which is connected to electrodes implanted in both sides of his brain.
“There are electrical impulses going to my brain, it’s called deep brain stimulation.
“It was a major 10-hour operation and I was awake for most of it.
“I’m due to go back in for a tune up soon.”
John has also been an active member of Parkes Rotary Club since joining in 1971.
Readers can view the other 2017 inductees to the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame here