Ian Tate OAM - Motorsport Australia Life Member.
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
The VHRR Committee and members, would like to acknowledge and congratulate former VHRR President and VHRR Life Member Ian Tate, on receiving his Motorsport Australia Lifetime Membership at the recent annual Motorsport Australia Awards Gala.
Ian received his lifetime membership for his incredible contribution to motorsport development including being a founding member of the powerhouse Holden Dealer Team and his tireless efforts running the biggest historic motor racing event in the Southern Hemisphere - the Phillip Island Classic, Festival of Motorsport for several decades.
Ian recently stepped down from his role as club president after last years’ Phillip island Classic after over 40 years of service to the VHRR.
This award comes off the back of another incredible achievement last year, where Ian was named the winner of the Australian Performance Automotive Council Australian of the Year award which recognises outstanding achievements and sacrifices made by an individual in the industry across a lifetime.
Ian follows in the footsteps of names such as Ron Harrop, Larry Perkins, Kees Weel, Rob Herrod and John Crennan.
Ian Tate started his working life with Harry Firth at the tender age of 14 and would later go on to be a vital member of the Holden Dealer Team through the 60’s and 70’s as lead mechanic for Peter Brock and contributing to Brock’s first Bathurst victory in 1972.
Ian would also work with names such as Peter “The Captain” Janson, Garry Rogers, Bob Morris and Larry Perkins before going on to start his own successful business, Tate-Phillip Automotive in 1976.
Harry Firth would later go on to say that both Ian Tate and Peter Brock were like son’s to him as is the stature of Ian's achievements and his contribution to Australian motorsport.
Ian has always been a staunch supporter of grassroots motorsport throughout his entire journey, and still is to this very day, where he is always giving of his time and knowledge to anyone willing to listen (and a few who aren't too!) including his passion to always helping juniors coming through the ranks.
Ian also recently competed in the 2025 VHRR Winton Festival of Speed, in his recently restored 1955 Jim Barrie Zephyr Special which he said he "had been meaning to get around too for the last 40 years"
The club thanks Ian for his vast and unwavering contribution to the VHRR for many decades and once again congratulates him on this latest achievement.
Congratulations Ian.
VHRR
