Ron Walker (January 30, 2018, age 78)
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Ron Walker (January 30, 2018, age 78)

Ron Walker, the promoter who secured the Australian Grand Prix for Melbourne in 1996, died Tuesday at the age of 78.

Walker was the chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation until his retirement in 2015. He was instrumental in relocating the race from its former home in Adelaide to its current location in Melbourne.

Before his involvement in Formula One, Walker worked on several business ventures in Melbourne and served as the Lord Mayor of the city from 1974-76.