Australian GP chief steps down

(GMM) Tim Bamford has resigned from his role as chief executive of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.

After three years in the role, Bamford also decided to leave the Corporation altogether, having been associated with the body for 11 years.

AGPC chairman Ron Walker said Bamford sought a new challenge.

"He is a successful leader and a very decent person who will be missed by all who worked with him," Walker said on Tuesday.

Bamford joined the AGPC as engineering manager when formula one moved from southern city Adelaide to Melbourne in 1996, becoming event manager in 1998, deputy chief executive officer in 2002 and chief executive officer in 2004.

He is replaced by Drew Ward, who was general operations manager at Melbourne's Commonwealth Games last year and a group manager during the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.