Team owner, driver patron and former CAMS Gold Star winning driver Graham Watson has passed away after a brief battle with cancer.

Watson who won the Australian Drivers Championship in 1986 was a prominent supporter of openwheel racing in Australia actively supporting several young drivers in their local careers.

Most recently he had thrown his support behind young NSW driver Tom Tweedie in this years Australian F3 championship.

Despite his illness Watson was alongside Tweedie at the opening round of the season on the streets of Adelaide.

Watson was an integral part of the local openwheel scene, his roster of drivers reading like a who’s who of local and international motorsport.

Current Indy Racing League stars Scott Dixon and Will Power both drove for Watson in the early stages of their careers as did current F1 star Mark Webber, Le Mans endurance driver David Brabham, Brazilian Roberto Moreno and V8 Supercars star Craig Lowndes.

The Australian Formula Three Association said that the loss of Watson was a huge blow to the community that surrounds the Gold Star championship, and will be felt around Australian Motorsport in general - such was his influence on so many drivers, teams and people working throughout the industry.

The Association have announced plans to honour Watson at the next round of the championship to be held at Wakefield Park in conjunction with the Shannons Nationals on April 24 – 26.

In Pit Lane passes on its sincere condolences to the family and many friends of a great friend of Australasian motorsport.