Name Martin Whitaker | ||
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Martin Whitaker is a British businessman who is best known for his involvement within motorsport. Born into a farming family, Whitaker started a career in journalism before working in press relations. He subsequently joined Ford working within major areas of motorsport before leaving in 2003. In 2004, Whitaker was appointed CEO of the Bahrain International Circuit and later becoming the CEO of the V8 Supercars series in 2010.
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Life and career
Whitaker was born to a fruit farming family from the West of England. As a child, he played Rugby, later developing an interest in motor racing.
Sportique88 founder Martin Whitaker, has a wealth of sports and business experience with much of his career spent in international motorsport. His work in the sport has covered many aspects at team, organisation, manufacturer and championship levels. In Formula One his career includes working for FIA Presidents Jean-Marie Balestre and Max Mosley, for Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management McLaren International and as Director of Motorsport for Ford Motor Company. At Ford he was responsible for the Formula One programme with Stewart Grand Prix, Sauber and Jordan while in rallying he was credited, along with Malcolm Wilson and the M Sport operation, of restoring Ford's fortunes in the FIA World Rally Championship with the introduction of the Ford Focus WRC and the management of drivers such as Colin McRae, Carlos Sainz, Petter Solberg and Juha Kankkunen.
Whitaker's first venture into motor racing was becoming a junior reporter for weekly racing magazine Motoring News eventually becoming their touring car reporter. In March 1985, he applied for the job of a press officer at the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association until 1988. FIA president Jean-Marie Balestre, who was searching for an English-speaking press relations man for the Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile, approached Whitaker for the job and accepted in a meeting at the FIA Headquarters in Paris in 1988. A year later, Whitaker ran media operations for FISA before joining FOCA television in 1990.
In mid-1996, Whitaker was appointed as Ford's head of European Motorsport Program succeeding Gillitzer whose contract was not renewed. Whitaker covered the areas of Formula One, World Rally Championship and local touring car series. He left in October 1999.
In June 2004, Whitaker was appointed as the General Manager of the Bahrain International Circuit. During his role, Whitaker encouraged Bahrani retailers and tourism operators for more involvement in the annual Bahrain Grand Prix.
In April 2010, Whitaker became the CEO of the Australian V8 Supercars series after signing a four-year contract in January 2010.
In 2012 Whitaker moved back to the Kingdom of Bahrain and has set up his International Consultancy Business, Sportique88 which is now a leading Sporting Management and Business Advisory Agency involved in private and public sectors worldwide.
Personal life
Whitaker is the father of four children. In 2009, ArabianBusiness.com listed Whitaker as the 31st most powerful business man in Bahrain.