Klark Quinn

Klark Quinn
Quinn in 2013
Nationality Australian
Born (1982-05-12) 12 May 1982
Racing licence FIA Silver (until 2017)
FIA Gold (2018–)
Championship titles
2012-2013, 2016Australian GT Championship

Klark Quinn (born 12 May 1982) is an Australian businessman and racing driver who last competed in the Bathurst 12 Hour for Quinn Racing Team MPC.

Personal life

Quinn is the son of Tony Quinn, a British-born businessman and racing driver, founder of the Tony Quinn Foundation and the Quinn Group,[1] who also owned the Australian GT Championship from mid-2011 to mid-2018.[2][3] His brother Kent and son Ryder, with whom he raced with at the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour along with Tony, are also racing drivers.[4]

Business ventures

In September of 2012, Quinn acquired Darrell Lea,[5] nearly two months after it went into voluntary administration,[6] and ran it until 2018 when Quadrant Private Equity took over the company.[7] Six years later, Quinn purchased Sara Lee Australia in February of 2024, four months after the company went into voluntary administration.[8]

Career

Quinn began his racing career in 2001, by racing in Formula Ford Queensland and finishing third in points,[9][10] as well as select appearances in the Australian Formula Ford Championship and the Class B of the Australian GT Production Car Championship.[11] Another season in Formula Ford Queensland then followed, in which he finished third in points for the second year in a row, as well as racing part-time in Australian Formula Ford,[12] and finishing second in the Bathurst 24 Hour in Class 9 for Novocastrian Motorsport.[13]

In 2003, Quinn joined RT Motorsport to race in the second half of the Australian Carrera Cup Championship,[14] taking a best result of third in race three at Surfers Paradise to end the year 13th in points.[15] Towards the end of the year, Quinn returned to the Bathurst 24 Hour, finishing second in the B class for VIP Petfoods Racing.[16] Remaining with the latter team for his sophomore season in the Australian Carrera Cup Championship, Quinn took a lone podium in race three at Bathurst, which helped him end the year fifth in the overall standings.[17] Continuing in the series for 2005, Quinn took a best result of second four times, including in all three races at Surfers Paradise en route to seventh in points.[18] During 2005, Quinn also finished second in the Gemini One Hour Race.[19]

Two seasons in Australian Carrera Cup then ensued, in which Quinn finished 13th and 12th in points, as he took a best result of sixth in race two at Albert Park in 2006.[20] During both years, Quinn also raced at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, finishing sixth in the SP7 class in 2006,[21] and seventh in class the following year.[22] In 2008, Quinn began the year by winning the Dubai 24 Hour overall,[23] before finishing second in the Bathurst 12 Hour overall and later racing in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in the SP7 class.[24][25] The following year, Quinn mainly raced in the Australian GT Championship, winning all five of his starts in the Challenge class, and later scoring two overall podiums in the final five races after being moved to the Championship class.[11] During 2009, Quinn also raced in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, finishing third in the SP7 class and ninth overall.[26]

After finishing sixth in the 2010 Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race,[27] Quinn returned to the Australian GT Championship the following year, winning both races at Adelaide and race one at Townsville to secure runner-up honors in the overall standings.[28][29] Returning for the 2012 season with a Porsche 911, Quinn won both races in Adelaide and Surfers Paradise and five other podiums to secure his maiden Australian GT title.[30][31][32] Continuing in the series for 2013, Quinn won twice at Queensland and finished on the podium in the other nine races to seal his second consecutive Australian GT title by 104 points over his father Tony.[33][34] During 2013, Quinn also returned to the Bathurst 12 Hour, finishing third overall alongside Matt Kingsley and Shane van Gisbergen, also for his father's VIP Petfoods Racing outfit.[35]

Remaining with the family-owned team as they switched to McLaren machinery for 2014,[36] Quinn finished fourth in the Bathurst 12 Hour,[37] before returning to Australian GT for the rest of the year, taking a lone win at Townsville and four other podiums to end the year fourth in points.[38] Returning for the 2015 season, Quinn scored a lone win at Adelaide with the MP4-12C, before switching to the 650S for the final four rounds, in which he won race one at Highlands to finish third in points.[39][40] The day after the Australian GT season finale at the same venue, Quinn won the non-championship Highlands 101 alongside Van Gisbergen.[41]

Continuing with the now-named Keltic Racing for the 2016 season, Quinn took a lone win at Townsville and four other podiums en route to his third Australian GT title,[42][43] shortly before announcing his step back from full-time racing to focus on his family.[44] Following that, Quinn raced in the Bathurst 12 Hour the following year alongside Tony Quinn, Grant Denyer and Andrew Waite.[45] Nine years later, Quinn made a brief return to racing, competing in the Bathurst 12 Hour with his father Tony, his brother Kent and his son Ryder, as they finished eighth in class driving an Audi R8 LMS Evo II.[46]

Racing record

Racing career summary

Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2001 Formula Ford Queensland 186 3rd
Australian Formula Ford Championship Tony Quinn 2 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Australian GT Production Car Championship – Class B 5 18th
2002 Formula Ford Queensland 188 3rd
Australian Formula Ford Championship VIP Petfoods 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Sandown 500 – B Nilsson Motor Sport 1 0 0 0 0 N/a DNF
Bathurst 24 Hour – 9 Novocastrian Motorsport 1 0 0 0 1 N/a 2nd
2003 Australian Carrera Cup Championship RT Motorsport 12 0 0 0 1 318 13th
Aussie Racing Cars Super Series VIP Petfoods Racing 20 1 0 4 8
Bathurst 24 Hour – B 1 0 0 0 1 N/a 2nd
Queensland Sports Car Championship 1 1 1 1 1 12 8th
2003–04 Porsche GT3 Cup Trans-Tasman 2 0 0 0 0 60 14th
2004 Australian Carrera Cup Championship VIP Petfoods 25 0 0 0 1 564 5th
Queensland Sports Car Championship 2 2 1 2 2 23 6th
2004–05 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup 3 0 0 0 0 148 19th
2005 Australian Carrera Cup Championship VIP Petfoods 27 0 0 0 4 594 7th
Gemini One Hour Race Ashley Jarvis 1 0 0 0 1 N/a 2nd
2006 Australian Carrera Cup Championship VIP Petfoods 24 0 0 0 0 267 13th
24 Hours of Nürburgring – SP7 1 0 0 0 0 N/a 6th
2006–07 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge 3 0 0 0 2 155 21st
2007 Dubai 24 Hour – A6 VIP Petfoods 1 0 0 0 0 N/a 8th
Australian Carrera Cup Championship 24 0 0 0 0 291 12th
24 Hours of Nürburgring – SP7 Juniper Racing 1 0 0 0 0 N/a 7th
2008 Dubai 24 Hour – A6 VIP Petfoods 1 1 0 0 0 1 N/a 1st
Bathurst 12 Hour – A VIP Petfoods (Aust) PL 1 0 0 0 1 N/a 2nd
24 Hours of Nürburgring – SP7 1 0 0 0 0 N/a DNF
2009 Australian GT Championship – GT Challenge VIP Petfoods Australia 5 5 0 0 5 190 7th
Australian GT Championship – GT Championship 4 0 0 0 2 148.5 18th
24 Hours of Nürburgring – SP7 1 0 0 0 1 N/a 3rd
2010 Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race VIP Petfoods Racing 1 0 0 0 0 N/a 6th
Bathurst 12 Hour – A 1 0 0 0 0 N/a DNF
Australian GT Championship – GT Championship 2 0 0 0 2 105 20th
2011 Bathurst 12 Hour – A VIP Holdings (Aust) Pty Ltd 1 0 0 0 1 N/a 3rd
Australian GT Championship – GT Championship VIP Petfoods Racing 14 3 2 3 11 725 2nd
Australian Manufacturers' Championship 2 0 0 0 2 162 9th
2012 Australian GT Championship – GT Championship VIP Petfoods Racing 14 4 1 0 9 186 1st
Australian Manufacturers' Championship 1 0 1 0 0 2 53rd
2013 Bathurst 12 Hour – A VIP Petfoods Racing 1 0 0 0 1 N/a 3rd
Australian GT Championship – GT Championship 11 2 0 0 11 627 1st
Aussie Racing Cars Super Series 3 0 0 0 0 28 60th
2014 Bathurst 12 Hour – A VIP Petfoods Racing 1 0 0 0 0 N/a 4th
Australian GT Championship – GT Championship 10 1 0 0 5 352 4th
Phillip Island 101 1 0 0 0 0 N/a 5th
Aussie Racing Cars Super Series 3 0 0 0 0 44 42nd
2015 Bathurst 12 Hour – AA Keltic Racing 1 0 0 0 0 N/a DNF
Australian GT Championship – GT Championship VIP Holdings 11 2 0 0 4 531 3rd
Highlands 101 – Sports Car 1 1 0 0 1 N/a 1st
2016 Bathurst 12 Hour – AA Keltic Racing 1 0 0 0 0 N/a DNF
Intercontinental GT Challenge 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Australian GT Championship 15 1 0 0 6 627 1st
Australian Endurance Championship 4 0 1 0 1 332 7th
Hampton Downs 101 1 0 0 0 0 N/a 8th
Highlands 101 1 0 0 0 0 N/a DNF
2017 Bathurst 12 Hour – AAM Keltic Racing 1 0 0 0 0 N/a DNF
Intercontinental GT Challenge 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2026 Bathurst 12 Hour – Bronze Quinn Racing Team MPC 1 0 0 0 0 N/a 8th
Sources:[11]

Complete 24 Hours of Nürburgring results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2006 VIP Petfoods Tony Quinn
Craig Baird
Kevin Bell
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR SP7 137 9th 6th
2007 Juniper Racing Tony Quinn
Craig Baird
Kevin Bell
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR SP7 100 12th 7th
2008 Tony Quinn
Craig Baird
Jonathon Webb
Porsche 911 GT3 RS SP7 46 DNF DNF
2009 VIP Petfoods Australia Tony Quinn
Craig Baird
Grant Denyer
Porsche 997 RSR SP7 146 9th 3rd

Complete Bathurst 12 Hours results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2008 VIP Petfoods (Aust) PL Tony Quinn
Grant Denyer
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX A 253 2nd 2nd
2010 VIP Petfoods Tony Quinn
Max Twigg
Mitsubishi Lancer RS Evo IX A 15 DNF DNF
2011 VIP Holdings (Aust) Pty Ltd Tony Quinn
Craig Baird
Porsche 997 GT3 Cup R A 291 3rd 3rd
2013 VIP Holdings (Aust) Pty Ltd Tony Quinn
Shane van Gisbergen
Matt Kingsley
Porsche 997 GT3 Cup R A 267 3rd 3rd
2014 VIP Holdings (Aust) Pty Ltd Tony Quinn
Shane van Gisbergen
Andrew Kirkaldy
McLaren MP4-12C GT3 A 296 4th 4th
2015 Keltic Racing Tony Quinn
Kévin Estre
McLaren MP4-12C GT3 AA 80 DNF DNF
2016 Keltic Racing Tony Quinn
Craig Baird
McLaren 650S GT3 AA 171 DNF DNF
2017 Keltic Racing Tony Quinn
Grant Denyer
Andrew Waite
McLaren 650S GT3 AAM 95 DNF DNF
2026 Quinn Racing Team MPC Tony Quinn
Kent Quinn
Ryder Quinn
Audi R8 LMS Evo II GT3 Bronze 254 18th 8th

References

  1. ^ "Quinn's latest motorsport acquisition". v8sleuth.com.au. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  2. ^ "Tony Quinn buys Australian GT Championship". speedcafe.com. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  3. ^ "Pirelli importer buys Australian GT". motorsport.com. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Three-Generation Quinn Squad Set to Make Bathurst History". sportscar365.com. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  5. ^ "VIP pet food heir Klark Quinn confident of success with Darrell Lea". news.com.au. 9 September 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  6. ^ "Darrell Lea in voluntary administration". smh.com.au. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Quadrant Private Equity buys Darrell Lea". afr.com. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  8. ^ "New Sara Lee owners Klark and Brooke Quinn meet staff at Lisarow factory". abc.net.au. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  9. ^ "Tony Quinn's Motorsport Legacy". theracetorque.com. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  10. ^ "#TBT: Will Power, the early years". theracetorque.com. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  11. ^ a b c "Klark Quinn | Racing career profile | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  12. ^ "2002 Australian Formula Ford". speedfreaks.org. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Bathurst 24 final results". motorsport.com. 26 November 2002. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Australian Series, Klark Quinn to debut at Sandown". motorsport.com. 11 September 2003. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  15. ^ "Australia Gold Coast race three notes". motorsport.com. 29 October 2003. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Bathurst 24 results". motorsport.com. 23 November 2003. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
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  18. ^ "AUS: Gold Coast race three notes". motorsport.com. 23 October 2005. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  19. ^ "Brisbane driver wins". couriermail.com.au. 3 October 2005. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  20. ^ "AUS: Adelaide Sunday summary". motorsport.com. 26 March 2006. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  21. ^ "Top 10 Finish For Aussie Porsche At Nurburgring 24 hour". nextcar.com.au. 20 June 2006. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  22. ^ "Rich man, paw man". smh.com.au. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  23. ^ "Australia statt Austria". motorline.cc (in German). 12 January 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
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  25. ^ "Alle und einer". motorline.cc (in German). 15 May 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  26. ^ "MOTORSPORT: Porsche trumps Audi at Nurburgring". carsales.com.au. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  27. ^ "12H Sepang : Lamborghini et Kox/Haase/Hammam vainqueurs". endurance-info.com (in French). 8 August 2010. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  28. ^ "Clipsal 500 Adelaide 2011 – Report, Results and Photo Gallery". sportscardigest.com. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  29. ^ "Quinn dominates opening GT encounter". speedcafe.com. 9 July 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  30. ^ "We talk to Klark Quinn – Double Australian GT Winner from Clipsal". racerviews.com. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  31. ^ "Klark Quinn's ideal Gold Coast weekend gives a shot at the title". racerviews.com. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  32. ^ "Klark Quinn the champion as Schneider wins again". speedcafe.com. 2 December 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  33. ^ "Australian GT: Queensland Raceway, Race Report". dailysportscar.com. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  34. ^ "Motorsport: Success at Highlands for father, son". odt.co.nz. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  35. ^ "Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hours: Race Report". dailysportscar.com. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  36. ^ "Kirkaldy Joins VIP Petfoods For Bathurst McLaren Debut". dailysportscar.com. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  37. ^ "12H Bathurst : la Ferrari Maranello Motorsport vainqueur sur le fil d'une course épique". endurance-info.com (in French). 9 February 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  38. ^ "Klark Quinn strikes first blow in Aust GT". speedcafe.com. 5 July 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  39. ^ "Quinn avoids carnage to win Clipsal GT final". speedcafe.com. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  40. ^ "Australian GT: Highland Park, Mies Takes The Title". dailysportscar.com. 15 November 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  41. ^ "Van Gisbergen and Quinn take out Highlands 101". speedcafe.com. 15 November 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  42. ^ "Motorsport: Quinn grabs first GT series win of the season". nzherald.co.nz. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  43. ^ "Klark Quinn Wins Third Australian GT Title". dailysportscar.com. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  44. ^ "Quinn to quit AGTC after third title". speedcafe.com. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  45. ^ "Bathurst 12 Hour: Marco Wittmann tops Practice 4 as BMWs finish day 1-2". foxsports.com.au. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  46. ^ "Quinn family to combine for historic Meguiar's Bathurst 12 Hour campaign". talkmotorsport.co.nz. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.