18 Facts About Tomas Mezera

Tomas Mezera's sporting career began as a downhill skier in his native Czechoslovakia, before he emigrated to Australia to be a ski instructor.

Tomas Mezera retired from racing in 2004 but continues to hold roles in motorsport, most recently as a driving standards advisor to several domestic motor racing championships.

Tomas Mezera had an interest in motor racing at a young age and took part in amateur hillclimbs in the family Skoda.

Tomas Mezera took up a Physics course at university after leaving school and joined their ski team, escaping to Hungary during an event and defecting to Austria via Belgrade.

Tomas Mezera quickly was introduced to racing and joined the ranks of Formula Ford in 1982.

Tomas Mezera finished 5th in the 1984 Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series, and won the 1985 Motorcraft Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series driving the Dalcar Reynard FF83 prepared by motorsport enthusiast and team owner David Haydon.

Tomas Mezera had two poor years in British Formula 3 compromised by lack of budget.

Tomas Mezera found work as driving instructor to stay in Europe with hopes of reaching his goal as a professional in Europe.

Tomas Mezera then returned to Europe to continue his pursuit of racing professionally overseas, returning to Australia for the endurance season, racing for Perkins Engineering from 1989 until 1991.

Tomas Mezera finished third with Larry Perkins in the 1990 Bathurst 1000, and the pair won the 1990 Nissan Sydney 500 at Eastern Creek Raceway.

Tomas Mezera had five races in the British Touring car Championship in 1989 and 1990 with two podium finishes.

When Win Percy returned to England after the 1991 season, Tomas Mezera was hired to drive for the Holden Racing Team.

Tomas Mezera was briefly assumed the role of team manager in 1993 after the departure of Neal Lowe until Jeff Grech was recruited.

Tomas Mezera was the first pole sitter when the ATCC became V8 Supercars in 1993 at Sydney's tight Amaroo Park circuit.

Tomas Mezera continued to race for HRT as teammate to Peter Brock until the end of the 1995 season before being replaced by Craig Lowndes.

Tomas Mezera was briefly part of John Trimbole's Daily Planet Racing before starting his own team in 1998 with the help of Derek van Zelm and on limited budget ran in the V8 Supercars Championship from 1998 until 2001.

Tomas Mezera's full-time racing career wound down at that point although he continued to get drives as a hired gun for many teams.

Tomas Mezera retired from racing in 2004 and later served as a Driving Standards Official for Confederation of Australian Motor Sport and V8 Supercars Australia.