It's October 1985, one month after Jaguar's historic win at the James Hardie 1000 on the famous Mount Panorma circuit at Bathurst and I'm in Adelaide for the inaugural Australian Formula One Grand Prix on the Adelaide street circuit.
My pal Stirling Moss and I are mooching around the paddock visiting friends and checking out the scene. I have stopped off to see my good friend Alan Jones, who is racing for the Beatrice F1 team run by Carl Haas.
This photo was retrieved from my photo album to remember two of my dearest friends who recently passed away. And they were two irrepressible personalities.
Next to Alan Jones is the late Ruggero Rotondo, then the CEO at Alfa Romeo Australia; and waiting to interview Alan Jones is Ken Sparkes, working with Sydney's Channel 9 - the network broadcaster of the F1 Grand Prix.
I met Ken when I first started in radio, back in 1966, and we were firm friends till the end.
Sadly, Ken passed away last year during an overseas trip. In his long media career he was a disc jockey, television compere, and motor sport fanatic. Working at the Grand Prix were all his dreams rolled into one.
The memories and the friends I have enjoyed throughout my life will never be forgotten.
This is a wonderful shot of Dad John - just stumbled upon it
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