Scott Dixon relishes Kiwi summer
It's been five years since Dixon has had a Christmas down under, so he's relishing time off the track and catching up with old friends.
"It's a lot of reminiscing – having a few beverages and just sort of relaxing," says Dixon. "I don't fare too well in the sun – I go pink and then I go white again, so I try stay out of the sun as much as possible."
But he's hasn't been able to escape the spotlight over the last few months, after winning his third IndyCar series title in October.
Despite the win making Dixon $1.2 million richer, it's the races that got away on him this year that stick in his mind.
"It's kind of weird, you think more about the ones you lost, you know this year was very special in the fact that mid-year we thought we were out of it – we had to really fight back and dig deep."
That's partly why he appreciates 2013's title more than 2003's and 2008's.
"The first one I didn't expect, I was young, naive, didn't really know what I'd achieved. Second one, I got married in February, won the 500 in May and then won the championship so you know, this year was a crazy, crazy year."
Traditionally the world champ changes their race number to number one – but Dixon will probably stick with his number nine.
"It's kind of been something that nobody does anymore – Hunter Ray did it this year and you know, the year I did it we had a really, really bad year."
He'll also be racing with new drivers next season after teammate Dario Franchitti was forced to retire due to injuries suffered in a Houston crash earlier in the year.
Dixon has just two weeks to enjoy the Kiwi summer, before heading back to the States to chase a fourth IndyCar title. 3 News