Paul Radisich is one of New Zealand’s great exports best known for Supercars career, but before this he was aiming for the lofty heights of Formula 1.
After making his name in an underpowered Toyota Corolla Trueno in the early 1980s a jump to Formula Atlantic in New Zealand led to his first races in Australia and a move to the United Kingdom to race British Formula 3.
Racing against the likes of Johnny Dumfries, Allen Berg, Ross Cheever and Damon Hill.
After cameos in Indy Lights and Formula Super Vee, Radisich received chances in touring cars including a stint partnering Denny Hulme.
Through this chance, further opportunities opened up with Peter Brock and Dick Johnson culminating in finishing second at Bathurst in 1990 partnering British ace Jeff Allam.
Through his association with Brock’s team he met Alan Gow, who went on to revolutionise the British Touring Car Championship through the introduction of the 2.0-litre formula, a chance to race for Andy Rouse’s factory Ford team.
Rouse had sold the Sierras to and co-drove with the Brock team, while Radisich was there putting the foundations in place for the factory Ford opportunity in the BTCC from 1993.
What followed for Radisich was a starring role during one of the most highly regarded and prestigious championships outside of Formula 1 during this period.
Super Touring as the 2.0-litre formula came to be known attracted mega factory dollars, ex-Formula 1 drivers and at one stage 10 manufacturers.
Radisich missed half the season in 1993 while Rouse’s team developed the Mondeo, but still finished third in the standings behind BMW’s dominant Schnitzer team.
Ford never quite got its opportunity to challenge for the title during Radisich’s association as in 1994 Alfa Romeo entered with aerodynamics and in 1995 the game was lifted significantly.
For 1996, fellow New Zealander Dick Bennetts took over the Ford operation in Mondeos built by Reynard and results were not forthcoming until Radisich linked up with Peugeot for what turned out to be its last season in BTCC.
Following this he returned to racing down under joining Dick Johnson Racing in V8 Supercars where he again won races and earned his nickname, ‘The Rat’.