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Scott Dixon's historic victory in the Indianapolis 500 today ranks highest on Chris Amon's hit list of magic moments in the annals of New Zealand motor racing.
Amon, the last New Zealander to compete regularly in the Formula One world championship, said Dixon had thrust himself to the
front of the queue.
He rated Dixon's dominant display to become the first New Zealander to win north American motorsport's most revered race at Indianapolis as the greatest single achievement by a New Zealand driver on any race track around the world.
He placed it above Denny Hulme's Formula One world championship crown in 1967 and the win Amon and Bruce McLaren enjoyed in the Le Mans 24 hour race in 1966.
"It's marvellous, it's just incredible," Amon told NZPA from his home near Taupo.
"The Americans call it the world's greatest sporting event - and when you consider the buildup to the race and its many traditions - they're probably not far wrong.
"In terms of one single motor race it is the oldest race and certainly one of the greatest.
"Traditionally, people have said Indianapolis, Le Mans and the world championship (Formula One series title) are the big three things.
"As a country we have now managed to win all three of them," said Amon, whose 13-year Formula One career ended in 1976.
As an individual achievement it had not been bettered.
"There's no one race in Formula One that matches Indy."
Dixon's win, which carried him to the top of the IndyCar series standings after five of 18 rounds, has again prompted speculation that he may finally be about to attract the attention of Formula One teams.
He held talks with a number of Formula One teams in 2003 when he won the then Indy Racing League title as a rookie but nothing eventuated.
However, Amon thought the time had passed when Dixon, 27, could consider switching ranks.
"Formula One has become a very inward looking affair and they tend to perhaps think the IndyCar series is inferior to their own," Amon said.
"For new drivers they tend to look more toward the GP2 ranks.
"Age-wise also, Scott has probably missed his opportunity. They are tending to look towards younger and younger guys."
It is not as if persevering in the IndyCar ranks will leave Dixon short of a quid, though.
Today's win netted Dixon US$2.5 million ($3.22 million), with custom dictating that half that amount will go to his Chip Ganassi team.
As well, he can expect to be showered with product endorsement offers, which Amon thinks may earn him another US$1 million or more.
"Money-wise there is ultimately probably more in Formula One but I'm sure there's a very nice living to be made in north America."
Dixon was swamped by media requests after today's race and can expect plenty of distractions ahead of the next IndyCar outing, in the Milwaukee Mile next Monday (NZT).
Dixon is highly motivated to push on to challenge for the IndyCar series crown.
He had a grand opportunity to win the title last year but ran out of fuel around the last bend of the last race and had to settle for second.
"For a little while he seemed to be struggling - I don't think they had a competitive engine - but he certainly turned the corner last year (finishing second in the championship) and now he's become the guy to beat," Amon said.
Dixon's manager, Stefan Johansson, said the series title remained the main goal although the enormity of Dixon's accomplishment today would probably change his life forever.
"One would assume things will be somewhat different for him now but Scott has always had his feet firmly planted on the ground," Johansson told Radio Sport.
"He is a racer, he loves racing cars and I'm sure he will continue doing the same thing.
"The goal now will be to go out and win the championship and win as many other races as he can."
- NZPA
