Larry Perkins

Larry Perkins. Lawrence "Larry" Perkins is an Australian former professional racing driver and highly successful racing engineer, renowned for his dual expertise in the cockpit and the workshop. His career is most celebrated for his record six victories in the iconic Bathurst 1000, a feat he achieved as both a driver and a team owner-engineer. Perkins also competed at the pinnacle of motorsport in Formula One before becoming a dominant and innovative force in Australian touring car racing.

Early life and education

Born in the small Mallee town of Cowangie, Perkins was raised on a farm, where he developed a strong mechanical aptitude from an early age. He moved to Melbourne to pursue a formal engineering education, completing an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner, a skill set that would become foundational to his career. His early racing exploits began in local Formula Ford and Australian Formula 2 categories, where his driving talent and engineering mind quickly became apparent. This combination caught the attention of key figures in the Australian motorsport scene, setting him on a path to international competition.

Racing career

Perkins's driving career reached its global peak in Formula One, where he made 11 Grand Prix starts between 1974 and 1977 for teams including Ensign and the famed Brabham outfit. His best result was a ninth-place finish at the 1977 French Grand Prix. Upon returning to Australia, he focused on touring car racing, quickly establishing himself as a Bathurst 1000 specialist. He secured his first victory at Mount Panorama in 1982 co-driving with Peter Brock for the Holden Dealer Team. This began a legendary partnership with Brock, with the duo winning again in 1983 and 1984. Perkins added three more Bathurst wins in 1993, 1995, and 1997 with his own team, often sharing the car with drivers like Gregg Hansford and Russell Ingall.

Engineering and team ownership

Parallel to his driving, Perkins founded Perkins Engineering in 1986, which became one of the most formidable and technically advanced teams in the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) and later the V8 Supercars championship. The team was renowned for its engineering excellence, preparing winning cars not only for Perkins himself but also for other top drivers. Under his leadership, Perkins Engineering won the Bathurst 1000 as an outright constructor and prepared championship-winning cars for drivers like Russell Ingall, who secured the V8 Supercar Championship in 2005. The team's distinctive Holden Commodores and VT models were perennial front-runners throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

Post-racing career and legacy

Following his retirement from full-time driving after the 2003 season, Perkins remained involved in motorsport as a consultant and through his ongoing association with Perkins Engineering, which continued to operate until its assets were sold to Kelly Racing in 2008. His legacy is that of a complete racer, a rare individual who achieved the highest success as both a driver and a master engineer. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2017. The "Perkins" name remains synonymous with engineering innovation, Bathurst glory, and the golden era of Australian touring car competition.

Personal life

Perkins is the brother of former Australian Senator and Minister Tony Perkins. He has largely maintained a private life away from the spotlight, focusing on business interests and his family. His son, Jack Perkins, followed him into professional motorsport, competing in the Supercars Championship and adding another generation to the Perkins racing dynasty. The family's deep roots in Victoria and continued involvement in the sport underscore a lasting commitment to Australian motorsport.

Category:Australian racing drivers Category:Formula One drivers Category:V8 Supercar drivers Category:Australian engineers