Glen Dix
Amoung the 2010 Australia Day awards was Glen Dix, the rather flamboyant race track virtuoso better known these days for his waving of the chequered flag at the Australian Formula 1
Grand Prix in Adelaide during the 11 years the event was held in the City of Churches, from 1985 until 1995, and then the first year after the event moved to Melbourne in 1996. He also waved the flag at four Australian 500cc Motorcycle Grands Prix.
More important to many race fans, however, was his
work waving home the legends of Australian motorsport during the 1970's. His performances may have been a little on the theatrical side, but none-the-less the messages were conveyed with both precision and accuracy.
In those days he was often seen holding lap boards, supposedly for the drivers but more likely for the benefit of the race fans both at the track and watching on television. Those who attended Rowley Park Speedway would remember him well, as would Calder fans.
Glen Dix was born at Victor Harbor in 1934, and educated at Riverton High School. Dix worked at the Marine and Harbours at Port Adelaide for 40 years - and in his spare time was one of few voluntary marshals game enough to wave the flag from the raceway and insisted on waving through every driver who finished the race – from first to last.
Now in his 70's and retired, his involvement in Motor Sport spans some 50 years, and aside from the Australia Day gong he was awarded the CAMS Service Star Award in 2005.
Glen Dix loved both Motor Sport and waving the checkered flag, even if the Rowley Park drinkers would join in chorus chanting "Dixie's A Dick Head". It was all part of the fun. Just some of his credits include the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, V8 Super Cars and Bay to Birdwood.
Pictured below is Glen Dix waving Colin Bond over the finishing line, in
1975.
