Ron Walker, the promoter who secured the Australian Grand Prix for Melbourne in 1996, has died at the age of 78.
Walker was the head of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation until his retirement in 2015 and was instrumental in moving the race from its former home in Adelaide to its current location in Melbourne. His close relationship with Bernie Ecclestone made him a powerful figure among grand prix promoters and he was chairman of the Formula One Promoters' Association until he retired.
Prior to his involvement in Formula One, Walker worked on a number of business ventures in Melbourne and served as the Lord Mayor of the city between 1974 and 1976.