A Tribute to Tony Hazlewood: Motorsport Visionary and Super Saloons Pioneer
Celebrating a Legacy of Speed and Innovation
The Early Life and Racing Beginnings of an Icon
Tony Hazlewood, a celebrated figure in engineering and motor racing, passed away at the age of 87. Known for his charismatic presence and unwavering enthusiasm, he had bravely battled a debilitating illness for over a decade, which unfortunately left him unable to communicate. His beloved wife, Angie, preceded him in death earlier this year. Hazlewood's journey into motorsport began in the 1960s in High Wycombe, where he, alongside his brother Gerry and friend Ryan Lee, started their racing careers with Minis. Tony eventually progressed to competing in the ex-Doc Merfield Ford Cortina Mk1 V8, frequently showcasing his skills at Silverstone.
The Birth of a Legend: The DAF V8
A pivotal moment in Hazlewood's career was the acquisition of a new DAF 55 Coupe chassis from the Eindhoven factory in December 1971. Collaborating with talented individuals such as engineer and fabricator Ray Kilminster, local garage owner Tom Cooper (father to Formula Ford standout Rob Cooper), and suspension expert Chas Beattie, Hazlewood embarked on a project to create one of the most beloved Special Saloons in the country. This remarkable machine was powered by an Oldsmobile V8 engine, coupled with a Hewland FT200 transaxle, and featured a March 712 suspension system.
Overcoming Challenges and Setting Records with the DAF V8
Initially, the DAF V8 presented significant handling challenges due to its extreme responsiveness. However, a regulatory change, allowing for the use of 16-inch rear wheels, transformed the vehicle, making it controllable and highly competitive. Hazlewood expertly piloted the DAF to numerous victories, notably setting Thruxton's first 100mph saloon lap record. This achievement came during the 1973 British Automobile Racing Club championship finals, where he recorded a blistering 1m24.6s lap while pursuing Gerry Marshall in his formidable Vauxhall Firenza.
Beyond the Track: Entrepreneurship and Motorsport Evolution
While actively promoting the Super Saloons series with support from Tricentrol, Hazlewood continued to campaign the DAF V8, now under the ownership of the affable Corbeau Seats founder, Colin Folwell. His subsequent venture, a radically designed Jaguar XJ8 that controversially housed a seven-liter Chevrolet V8 engine in the passenger compartment, proved less successful despite being tested by racing legends like Stirling Moss and Mike Wilds. As Marshall's 'Baby Bertha' Firenza began to dominate in 1975, signaling the end of the Super Saloons era due to escalating costs and the appeal of categories like Formula 5000, Hazlewood's focus shifted. His burgeoning Templar Tillers business, an agricultural machinery enterprise, demanded more of his attention. After selling Templar to a public limited company, Hazlewood channeled his innovative spirit into designing and manufacturing Pacer and Patriot off-road vehicles, many of which found success in international markets. Despite these new ventures, his passion for racing never waned. He later reacquired the DAF shell, which had been stripped of its original mechanical components and modified for Tony Sugden's two-liter BDX engine. Hazlewood diligently undertook a multi-year restoration project, aiming to bring the iconic DAF back to the race track before his illness unfortunately intervened.