David Oxton
Encyclopedia
David Oxton is a former New Zealand
racing driver. Oxton spent the majority of his career racing open wheel cars in New Zealand and Australia
but did drive touring cars
late in his career.
Oxton's career started in the late 1960s, driving a Daimler Dart
in New Zealand motorsport events and in 1968 he made the move to open-wheel racing. Oxton won two consecutive New Zealand Formula Ford Championship
s from 1970 to 1972 and in 1971 he debuted in both the New Zealand Gold Star Championship and the Tasman Series
. During the 1970s Oxton would go on to win three New Zealand Gold Stars but did not achieve the same success in the Tasman Series, with a best finish of eighth in 1972 and 1974.
In 1973 Oxton travelled to the United Kingdom
to compete in Formula Atlantic
and Formula 5000
but he did not achieve great success on his overseas venture. He also competed in the BRDC International Trophy
, a non-championship Formula One
race, at Silverstone
the same year, but failed to finish. Oxton competed in Formula Atlantic in Canada
in 1977, a year in which he also began competing in the New Zealand International Formula Pacific
Series. He finished tenth in the series in 1977 but would go on to win the title in the 1980-81 season and finish runner-up in 1983. Oxton won his fourth New Zealand Gold Star in the 1981-82 season.
The 1980s saw Oxton begin racing touring cars, starting with the Benson and Hedges Saloon Car Series in 1982. He partnered Peter Brock
at the 1985 Bathurst 1000 for the Holden Dealer Team
but the pair failed to finish. The car was running in the top three and on the lead lap with three laps remaining until a broken timing chain forced Brock and Oxton into retirement. Oxton went on to race in the Australian Touring Car Championship
in 1986, finishing seventeenth in the series after competing in three of the ten rounds.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
racing driver. Oxton spent the majority of his career racing open wheel cars in New Zealand and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
but did drive touring cars
Touring car racing
Touring car racing is a general term for a number of distinct auto racing competitions in heavily-modified street cars. It is notably popular in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Scandinavia and Britain.-Characteristics of a touring car:...
late in his career.
Oxton's career started in the late 1960s, driving a Daimler Dart
Daimler SP250
The Daimler Dart was a sports car built by British manufacturer Daimler in Coventry.It was launched at the 1959 New York Motor Show, and its greatest success was in the North American market. It had a fibreglass body, four-wheel Girling disc brakes, and a 2.5-litre Hemi-head V8 engine designed by...
in New Zealand motorsport events and in 1968 he made the move to open-wheel racing. Oxton won two consecutive New Zealand Formula Ford Championship
New Zealand Formula Ford Championship
The MTA New Zealand Formula Ford Championship has been held annually in New Zealand racing circuits.-History:Formula Ford emerged as a racing class in New Zealand. In 1972, the inaugural New Zealand Formula Ford championship won by David Oxton. The open wheel category rapidly developed into the...
s from 1970 to 1972 and in 1971 he debuted in both the New Zealand Gold Star Championship and the Tasman Series
Tasman Series
The Tasman Series was a motor racing series held from 1964 to 1975, in Australia and New Zealand, and named after the Tasman Sea between the two countries...
. During the 1970s Oxton would go on to win three New Zealand Gold Stars but did not achieve the same success in the Tasman Series, with a best finish of eighth in 1972 and 1974.
In 1973 Oxton travelled to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to compete in Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of...
and Formula 5000
Formula 5000
Formula 5000 was an open wheel, single seater auto-racing formula that ran in different series in various regions around the world from 1968 to 1982. It was originally intended as a low-cost series aimed at open-wheel racing cars that no longer fit into any particular formula...
but he did not achieve great success on his overseas venture. He also competed in the BRDC International Trophy
BRDC International Trophy
The International Trophy is a prize awarded annually by the British Racing Drivers' Club to the winner of a motor race held at the Silverstone Circuit, England...
, a non-championship Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
race, at Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
the same year, but failed to finish. Oxton competed in Formula Atlantic in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1977, a year in which he also began competing in the New Zealand International Formula Pacific
Formula Pacific
Formula Pacific was a motor racing category which was utilised in the Pacific Basin area from 1977 to 1982. It specified a single-seat, open-wheeler chassis powered by a production-based four-cylinder engine of under 1600cc capacity. The formula was based on Formula Atlantic, with provision made...
Series. He finished tenth in the series in 1977 but would go on to win the title in the 1980-81 season and finish runner-up in 1983. Oxton won his fourth New Zealand Gold Star in the 1981-82 season.
The 1980s saw Oxton begin racing touring cars, starting with the Benson and Hedges Saloon Car Series in 1982. He partnered Peter Brock
Peter Brock
Peter Geoffrey Brock, AM otherwise known as "Peter Perfect", "The King of the Mountain" or simply as "Brocky" was one of Australia's best-known and most successful motor racing drivers. Brock was most often associated with Holden for almost 40 years, although he raced vehicles of other...
at the 1985 Bathurst 1000 for the Holden Dealer Team
Holden Dealer Team
The Holden Dealer Team was Holden’s semi-official racing team from 1969 until 1987, primarily contesting Australian Touring Car events but also rallying, rallycross and sports sedans during the 1970s...
but the pair failed to finish. The car was running in the top three and on the lead lap with three laps remaining until a broken timing chain forced Brock and Oxton into retirement. Oxton went on to race in the Australian Touring Car Championship
Australian Touring Car Championship
The Australian Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing award held in Australia since 1960. The series itself is no longer contested, but the title lives on, with the winner of the V8 Supercar Championship Series awarded the trophy and title of Australian Touring Car Champion.-History:The...
in 1986, finishing seventeenth in the series after competing in three of the ten rounds.
Career results
Season | Series | Position | Car | Team |
---|---|---|---|---|
1970 | Formula A Continental Championship | 24th | Lotus 70 Lotus 70 The Lotus 70 was a race car designed by Lotus for the Formula 5000 races.... |
|
1970-71 | New Zealand Formula Ford Championship New Zealand Formula Ford Championship The MTA New Zealand Formula Ford Championship has been held annually in New Zealand racing circuits.-History:Formula Ford emerged as a racing class in New Zealand. In 1972, the inaugural New Zealand Formula Ford championship won by David Oxton. The open wheel category rapidly developed into the... |
1st | Elfin 600 Superford | |
1971 1971 Tasman Series The 1971 Tasman Series was the eighth in the series, beginning on 2 January and ending on 28 February after seven races. It was won by Graham McRae of New Zealand, driving a McLaren M10B Chevrolet.-Races:Additional information sourced from:... |
Tasman Series Tasman Series The Tasman Series was a motor racing series held from 1964 to 1975, in Australia and New Zealand, and named after the Tasman Sea between the two countries... |
10th | Lotus 70 Lotus 70 The Lotus 70 was a race car designed by Lotus for the Formula 5000 races.... March 701 |
STP Corporation |
1972 1972 Tasman Series The 1972 Tasman Series was the ninth in the series, beginning on 8 January and ending on 27 February after eight races. The series was won by Graham McRae of New Zealand, driving a Leda GM1 Chevrolet.-Races:Additional information sourced from:... |
Tasman Series Tasman Series The Tasman Series was a motor racing series held from 1964 to 1975, in Australia and New Zealand, and named after the Tasman Sea between the two countries... |
8th | Begg FM4 | Begg Engineering |
1971-72 | New Zealand Gold Star Championship | 1st | Begg FM4 | David Oxton Racing |
1971-72 | New Zealand Formula Ford Championship New Zealand Formula Ford Championship The MTA New Zealand Formula Ford Championship has been held annually in New Zealand racing circuits.-History:Formula Ford emerged as a racing class in New Zealand. In 1972, the inaugural New Zealand Formula Ford championship won by David Oxton. The open wheel category rapidly developed into the... |
1st | Elfin Superford Elfin Elfin may refer to:*Elfin of Alt Clut, ruler of Alt Clut, seventh century Scotland*Elfin , a steamboat that ran on Lake Washington from 1891 to 1900, one of several British Royal Navy ships, one of several United States Navy ship... |
Winfield Racing Team |
1972-73 | New Zealand Gold Star Championship | 1st | Begg FM5 | |
1973 1973 Tasman Series The 1973 Tasman Series was the tenth in the series, beginning on 6 January and ending on 25 February after eight races. The series was won by Graham McRae of New Zealand, driving a McRae GM1 Chevrolet.-Races:Additional information sourced from:... |
Tasman Series Tasman Series The Tasman Series was a motor racing series held from 1964 to 1975, in Australia and New Zealand, and named after the Tasman Sea between the two countries... |
10th | Begg FM5 | Begg Engineering |
1973 | British Formula Atlantic Formula Atlantic Formula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of... Championship |
16th | Lyncar Lyncar Lyncar was a Formula One constructor from the United Kingdom. They participated in only 2 grands prix, the 1974 and 1975 British Grand Prix, entering a total of 2 cars.... 003 |
|
1973 | Formula 5000 Formula 5000 Formula 5000 was an open wheel, single seater auto-racing formula that ran in different series in various regions around the world from 1968 to 1982. It was originally intended as a low-cost series aimed at open-wheel racing cars that no longer fit into any particular formula... Great Britain |
15th | Begg FM5 | Begg Engineering |
1973-74 | New Zealand Gold Star Championship | 1st | Begg FM5 | David Oxton Racing |
1974 1974 Tasman Series The 1974 Tasman Series was the eleventh in the series, beginning on 5 January and ending on 23 February after eight races. It was won by Peter Gethin of the United Kingdom, driving a Chevron B24 Chevrolet.-Races:Additional information sourced from:... |
Tasman Series Tasman Series The Tasman Series was a motor racing series held from 1964 to 1975, in Australia and New Zealand, and named after the Tasman Sea between the two countries... |
8th | Begg FM5 | David Oxton Racing |
1975 1975 Tasman Series The 1975 Tasman Series was the twelfth and final in the series, beginning on 5 January and ending on 23 February after eight races.The series was won by Australian driver Warwick Brown in his fifth year of Formula 5000 racing with the Pat Burke Racing team, driving a Lola T332 Chevrolet... |
Tasman Series Tasman Series The Tasman Series was a motor racing series held from 1964 to 1975, in Australia and New Zealand, and named after the Tasman Sea between the two countries... |
12th | Lola T330 | David Oxton Racing |
1977 | New Zealand International Formula Pacific Formula Pacific Formula Pacific was a motor racing category which was utilised in the Pacific Basin area from 1977 to 1982. It specified a single-seat, open-wheeler chassis powered by a production-based four-cylinder engine of under 1600cc capacity. The formula was based on Formula Atlantic, with provision made... Series |
10th | Chevron B29 Chevron Cars Ltd Chevron Cars Ltd. is a manufacturer of racing cars, founded by Derek Bennett in 1965. Following Bennett's death in 1978, the firm has remained active in various guises. The original company's designs and name continue to be utilized by Roger Andreason to build replacement parts and continuation... |
Oxton Motors |
1977 | Formula Atlantic Formula Atlantic Formula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of... Canada |
11th | Tui BH2 | Team Tui |
1980-81 | New Zealand International Formula Pacific Formula Pacific Formula Pacific was a motor racing category which was utilised in the Pacific Basin area from 1977 to 1982. It specified a single-seat, open-wheeler chassis powered by a production-based four-cylinder engine of under 1600cc capacity. The formula was based on Formula Atlantic, with provision made... Series |
1st | Ralt RT4 Ralt RALT was a manufacturer of single-seater racing cars, founded by ex-Jack Brabham associate Ron Tauranac after he sold out his interest in Brabham to Bernie Ecclestone. Ron and his brother had built some specials in Australia in the 1950s under the RALT name... |
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1981-82 | New Zealand Gold Star Championship | 1st | Ralt RT4/80 Ralt RALT was a manufacturer of single-seater racing cars, founded by ex-Jack Brabham associate Ron Tauranac after he sold out his interest in Brabham to Bernie Ecclestone. Ron and his brother had built some specials in Australia in the 1950s under the RALT name... |
|
1983 | New Zealand International Formula Pacific Formula Pacific Formula Pacific was a motor racing category which was utilised in the Pacific Basin area from 1977 to 1982. It specified a single-seat, open-wheeler chassis powered by a production-based four-cylinder engine of under 1600cc capacity. The formula was based on Formula Atlantic, with provision made... Series |
2nd | Ralt RT4/81 Ralt RALT was a manufacturer of single-seater racing cars, founded by ex-Jack Brabham associate Ron Tauranac after he sold out his interest in Brabham to Bernie Ecclestone. Ron and his brother had built some specials in Australia in the 1950s under the RALT name... |
Oxton Motors |
1984 | New Zealand International Formula Pacific Formula Pacific Formula Pacific was a motor racing category which was utilised in the Pacific Basin area from 1977 to 1982. It specified a single-seat, open-wheeler chassis powered by a production-based four-cylinder engine of under 1600cc capacity. The formula was based on Formula Atlantic, with provision made... Series |
4th | Ralt RT4/82 Ralt RALT was a manufacturer of single-seater racing cars, founded by ex-Jack Brabham associate Ron Tauranac after he sold out his interest in Brabham to Bernie Ecclestone. Ron and his brother had built some specials in Australia in the 1950s under the RALT name... |
Oxton Motors |
1986 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship The 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship was the 27th running of the Australian Touring Car Championship. It began on 2 March 1986 at Amaroo Park and ended on 13 July at Oran Park Raceway after ten rounds.... |
Australian Touring Car Championship Australian Touring Car Championship The Australian Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing award held in Australia since 1960. The series itself is no longer contested, but the title lives on, with the winner of the V8 Supercar Championship Series awarded the trophy and title of Australian Touring Car Champion.-History:The... |
17th | Ford Sierra XR4Ti Ford Sierra The Ford Sierra is a large family car that was built by Ford Europe from 1982 until 1993. It was designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Quément. The code used during development was "Project Toni".... |
David Oxton |