Scott Dixon - Early Years

Early Years

Dixon was born in Brisbane, Australia, to New Zealand parents Ron and Glenys Dixon who were both dirt race car drivers. The family returned to Auckland in New Zealand when Dixon was very young. He began racing karts as a seven year old, and caught the attention of the New Zealand public when granted a special dispensation to obtain a competition licence to race a saloon car as a 13-year-old. New Zealanders cannot obtain a road licence until turning 15 years old.

Dixon was competing at Pukekohe Park Raceway in a one-make series featuring the Nissan Sentra when he rolled the car onto its roof. He caught national attention when TV showed him struggling from the upturned car with a cushion strapped to his back to enable him to reach the pedals, and wiping a tear from his eye. Dixon went on to win in every series he competed in.