RALT Australia - Graham Watson

Graham Watson

Graham Watson Graham was born at Palmerston North, New Zealand. He was educated at Milson Primary, then Ross Intermediate, and completed his School Certificate at Queen Elizabeth Technical College. He then served an apprenticeship in panelbeating at Associated Motor Bodies Ltd and obtained his Trade Certificate.

Graham moved to Australia in 1970 and worked for Scuderia Veloce Motors Pty Limited (Porsche, Ferrari and Volvo agents). He started a smash repair business for them in 1971.

Graham started his own repair business in 1974, employing 20 staff by 1984. He sold this business in 1986 in order to take up a race team manager's position with Westmark Corporation, based at Surfers Paradise International Raceway in Queensland.

Among his driving achievements, Graham won the 1986 Australian Drivers Championship.

When Westmark ceased operation in 1988, Graham moved back to Sydney where he restored race cars and high performance vehicles, as well as preparing and maintaining karts and historic race cars.

In 1977, Graham became the agent for Ralt Cars in Australia and New Zealand, selling over 30 Formula Atlantic cars. He still holds this position.

In 1994, Graham was elected to the Formula Holden Committee on which he is still a serving member.

In August 1995, Graham purchased Scuderia Smash Repairs, employing 14 staff. In 1996, he attended a Porsche Body Repair course in Melbourne and the business became a Porsche Authorised Body Repair Shop, along with ten others in Australia.

In March 1997, Graham sold the panel shop to concentrate on the racing business.

Graham is married with two adult children.

With his motor racing and business achievements, Graham has the ability to organise, engineer, teach and race all forms of motor sport and to motivate staff.