Ross Dunkerton

Ross Dunkerton OAM (born 16 July 1945) is an Australian rally driver. Dunkerton is a 5 time Australian Rally Champion and 2 time Asian Pacific Rally Champion. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2018.

Dunkerton is one of only three Australian rally drivers in history to achieve FIA A seeded status (the others being Chris Atkinson and Cody Crocker), and is arguably Australia’s most successful.[1]

Ross Dunkerton in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX

Dunkerton was awarded life membership with CAMS in 2011, inducted into the Australian Rally Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame in 2016.

Ross Dunkerton in the Datsun 240Z which took him to his first Australian Rally Championship in 1975
Ross Dunkerton in the 2006 Targa West rally

Dunkerton won the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship in 1991 and 1992 in a Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 as a full-time factory driver for Mitsubishi Ralliart. In Australia, he won the Australian Rally Championship in 1975, '76, '77, '79 and '83 in Datsun 1600s, 240Zs and 260Zs. Dunkerton also won the Southern Cross Rally in 1980. He won the 2005 and 2006 Targa West rallies, placing third in the 2007 event.

Personal life

Born in Fremantle, Western Australia,[2] he was previously a councillor for the Town of Bassendean, but moved with his family to Cairns in Far North Queensland in late 2007.

Ross is married to his wife Lisa has two sons, Aaron and Flynn.

Career

Dunkerton is a regular competitor in numerous tarmac and historic gravel events in both Australia and New Zealand. He competed in the 2009 Otago Rally of New Zealand in his newly purchased MK II BDA Ford Escort rally car.

Dunkerton is one of only two Australian drivers to have ever stood on a podium of a World Rally Championship event, the other being Chris Atkinson. In 1992, Dunkerton finished third in the Rothmans Rally of New Zealand, round 7 of the 1992 World Rally Championship.

Television presenting

After winning almost 100 rallies in a career spanning three decades, former International Rally Driver Ross Dunkerton turned his hand to full-time television presenting in 1995.

In 1997, Dunkerton won a National Media award, testimony to the adage that he brings to television, the same determination, wit and effort that saw him enjoy so much success in his sporting career.

Dunkerton has taken on many roles, his most current being a full-time presenter for the Western Australian lifestyle show, Home in WA and the automotive series, Zoom TV. He has also presented coverage for a variety of motorsport events including the Variety Club Bash and coverage of the Australian Rally Championship on network ten.

Career results
Season Series Position Car Team
1975 Australian Rally Championship 1st Datsun 240Z
1976 Australian Rally Championship 1st Datsun 260Z
1977 Australian Rally Championship 1st Datsun 260Z
1979 Australian Rally Championship 1st Datsun Stanza
1983 Australian Rally Championship 1st Datsun 1600
1987 Malaysian Rally Championship 1st[3] Ford Laser TX3 4WD[3]
1989 World Rally Championship 64th Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Mitsubishi Ralliart
1989 Australian Rally Championship 5th Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Mitsubishi Ralliart
1990 World Rally Championship 20th Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Mitsubishi Ralliart
1991 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship 1st Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Mitsubishi Ralliart
1991 Australian Rally Championship 6th Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Mitsubishi Ralliart
1991 World Rally Championship 40th Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Mitsubishi Ralliart
1992 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship 1st Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Mitsubishi Ralliart
1992 Australian Rally Championship 7th Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Mitsubishi Ralliart
1992 World Rally Championship 16th Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Mitsubishi Ralliart
1993 Australian Rally Championship 7th Mitsubishi Lancer RS-E Mitsubishi Ralliart
1993 World Rally Championship 24th Mitsubishi Lancer RS-E Mitsubishi Ralliart
1994 Australian Rally Championship 2nd Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

References
  1. http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/CCA6426B3167D9DEC12576A8003CDE7D/$FILE/Priorités%20A+B%202010_v2.pdf
  2. Quartermaine, Braden (3 April 2012). "Ross Dunkerton at end of road in WA", Perth Now. Retrieved on 3 April 2012.
  3. Mel Lee, The Malaysian Rally Championship - Mixed Fortunes in a Bumper Year, Number One Motorsports Yearbook 1988, pages 94-108
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