Contact - The Turn of the Wheel

This Contact documentary explores what it takes to make it as a motor racing driver: from the roar of speed to the ratio of skill, chance, sponsorship and the role of mechanics. Kiwi star Dave McMillan is followed from days of thunder downunder (where a spectacular crash leads to Formula Pacific victory) to leading the Super Vees in US before a near fatal 1980 accident. McMillan bounced back to win the New Zealand Grand Prix in 1981 and in 1982 won the North American Formula Atlantic Championship. He was inducted into the NZ MotorSport Wall of Fame in 2006.

You might be well out in front, with a 10 second lead, and you start thinking about winning the race. I always swear at myself and say, 'don't think about those sort of things, just concentrate on what you’re doing!', otherwise you’re off … into the weeds.

– Dave McMillan

Key Cast & Crew

David Sims

Director

Tom Williamson

Producer

Clive Cockburn

Composer

Kerry Coe

Sound

Judy Rymer

Editor

Brian Cross

Camera