Author: Loren Hazelwood

Hazelwood ready to bounce back after fifth placing on day one

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Hazelwood in Practice yesterday. Credit: Jake Burgess/0-100 Photography

Hazelwood in Practice yesterday. Credit: Jake Burgess/0-100 Photography

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Todd Hazelwood has placed fifth in practice for Round 2 of the V8 Supercars Dunlop Series at Barbagallo Raceway for the Perth SuperSprint this weekend.

The round is coming off the bat from a successful test day last week at Matt Stone Racing’s home track at Queensland Raceway, and the 19-year-old is confident going into qualifying tomorrow.

“Our performance in Practice 2 was very encouraging and showed that we have genuine speed to compete for the podium this weekend,” Hazelwood said.

“I was held up in traffic on my fastest lap which cost me time.

“We have good potential to move further forward tomorrow and hopefully we can put it all together in the short qualifying session tomorrow, as the times are very close so the smallest mistake will be costly.”

The teenager believes that preserving the tyres as much as possible will help this weekend in the races.

“The practice session was rather frustrating as the first few flying laps of the session were the fastest, and then for the last 30 minutes we were making good progress with set-up but didn’t have enough tyre life left to get a reading if we were making progress or not,” Hazelwood said.

“But it was good to have a long run on the tyres and see how long they lasted.

“We had good speed on old tyres, which will help us with long high tyre degradation tomorrow.”

The South Australian will head into Round 2 of the championship at Perth sitting inside the top ten of the Dunlop Development Series in ninth position on 174 points.

The Mike Kable Young Gun managed to finish fourth on debut at Barbagallo last year, and wants to go that step further gaining his first podium in the series.

Today’s racing kicks off with Qualifying and Race 1, which will be live on Foxtel.

Racing schedule: Perth SuperSprint (Live on Fox 5)
Saturday
Qualifying 1 – 11:55 (40 minutes)
Race 1 – 14:15 (28 laps)
Sunday
Race 2 – 10:10 (28 laps)
Race 3 – 12:45 (28 laps)

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Maxwell ready for title fight at next Australian Formula Ford Round

Formula Ford, Thomas Maxwell

11049651_474561999359858_7979947395203801225_nDESPITE THE start Thomas Maxwell had at the first round of the Australian Formula Ford Championship, the 16-year-old is more than ready to get back into the championship fight at Round 2 of the open-wheel series at Phillip Island.

The Northern Territory driver showed his fellow competitors he has what it takes to win, putting the Sonic Motor Racing Services Mygale on the front for practice, but had bad luck heading into the races.

Maxwell was involved in another driver’s incident during the final race of the event, taking the teenager out of the race and contention for a round placing.

“The Sonic Mygale showed strong pace during the first round of the series, but some unfortunate luck took away what would have been a very strong start to the season,” Maxwell said.

“There were positive glimpses which we took away from the weekend, but as always there are areas we can improve and further develop.

“As long as I can keep refining my technique it’s all grounding steps in the right direction.

“Onwards and upwards for now, I’m going to bite the bullet and focus all of my energy in preparing for the next round at Phillip Island.”

The Bosch Car Service Centre driver is currently placed ninth in the Australian Formula Ford Championship.

Maxwell’s next round will be held at the prestigious Phillip Island Circuit for Round 2 of the series on May 22.

Hazelwood Reflects on Perfect Rookie Season

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Todd Hazelwood Racing team at the Sydney NRMA 500

Todd Hazelwood Racing team at the Sydney NRMA 500

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Todd Hazelwood could not be more pleased with how his overall rookie year in the V8 Supercars Dunlop Development Series, after winning the prestigious Mike Kable Young Gun Award and finishing his personal best in the final race of the season at the Sydney NRMA 500 in fourth position.

The Tecalemit Australia driver managed to finish seventh for the round after an altercation in Race 1 finishing 20th, and also walked away being the highest placed rookie in eighth place on 1131 points.

“Sydney was a great success for the team at Tecalemit Racing, Saturday was good in a lot of ways even though our result was disappointing – we showed great race speed and ability to race through the field at a clean rapid rate,” Hazelwood said.

“Sunday was a much better day for the team, it was a long night Saturday getting the car prepared for the early morning qualifying so it was great to reward the team with ninth in the session.

“Race 2 was close and tough the whole way, and I was fortunate enough to avoid serious damage on a number of occasions during the opening laps of the race.

“I was able to use my great car speed and put some serious pressure on Andrew Jones for the remaining 10 laps of the race and on the final lap I had a crack for third but it didn’t quite pull off.

“It was still fantastic to finish fourth in the race and eighth overall in the series.”

The 19-year-old was also very humbled to receive the Mike Kable Young Gun Award for 2014.

“It was an absolute honour to win the Mike Kable Young Gun Award, all of the previous winners have gone on to have very successful careers in motorsport – it is a great reward for what has been an incredible journey throughout 2014,” Hazelwood continued.

The rookie believes that 2014 was the perfect way to start his debut V8 Supercar campaign, and it would have not been possible without the help from his team, family and sponsors.

“The team at Matt Stone Racing have done an incredible job all year, they have helped me get up-to-speed at a rapid rate,” Hazelwood continued.

“A big thank you must go out to my Mum, Dad and Sister for their dedication and work this year, without the help from my family I would not be racing.

“My sponsors throughout 2014 have been amazing and I can’t thank each and every one of them enough for all their support.”

Hazelwood is now focused on the off-season and cannot wait to hit his home streets of Adelaide for the first round of the 2015 Dunlop Series racing with Matt Stone Racing and compete under the Tecalemit Australia banner.

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Maxwell Finishes Fifth on Debut in Australian Formula Ford Final Round

Formula Ford, Thomas Maxwell
Thomas Maxwell racing to an impressive fifth at Island of Magic

Thomas Maxwell racing to an impressive fifth at Island of Magic

NORTHERN TERRITORY’S Thomas Maxwell has finished an impressive fifth on debut in the final round of the Australian Formula Ford Championship, held in conjunction with Phillip Island’s Island of Magic.

The 16-year-old had competed throughout the Victorian State Series in Formula Ford throughout this year, but overcame all rookie odds to finish inside in the top five out of a 32 car field, racing with one of the oldest cars on the grid.

The teenager had also qualified in fourth for Race 1, which was a personal best for the rookie at Phillip Island.

“What a fantastic weekend it was,” said Maxwell.

“Being able to run up at the front and race wheel-to-wheel with Australia’s best drivers was unbelievable.

“The qualifying lap was crucial, being able to put it on the second row of the grid played a big part – especially with the amount of cars in the field.”

“It was a fantastic way to cap off an outstanding rookie year in Formula Ford!”

Maxwell had also recently raced at the Phillip Island circuit in October, finishing his first strong year in the Victorian State Series coming home in seventh in the championship.

The Bosch Car Service Centre driver has had a great first season in Formula Ford with the team at Sonic Motor Racing Services, and is looking forward for what is yet to come in the 2015 racing season.

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Todd Hazelwood Finishes Fifth in Action Packed Bathurst Enduro Race

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Hazelwood crossing the line after the 38-lap race. Photo: Speed Shots Photography/Nathan Wong

Hazelwood crossing the line after the 38-lap race. Photo: Speed Shots Photography/Nathan Wong

ROOKIE DRIVER Todd Hazelwood has defied all rookie-odds, finishing an impressive fifth place in the Bathurst Wilson Security Medic One endurance race for Round 6 in the V8 Supercars Dunlop Development Series.

Due to safety cars, the race was shortened to 240km with the South Australian racing from ninth place on the starting grid – battling right to the end.

Pit stops played a huge part on the result, with the 19-year-old having to learn the whole new dynamic of taking a pit stop during a longer race.

“The race was one of the toughest I have ever endured and so much happened during the race,” Hazelwood said.

“The team did a great job in the pits helping us gain a few positions on the track … we changed the tyres on Lap 10, so by the end of the race I was really struggling with tyres but I just drove the wheels off the car and held on.

“Five guys behind me had fresh tyres on with 10 laps to go and I was under immense pressure, I just had to believe I could hold on and make this work!”

Despite not electing a co-driver, Hazelwood was quite impressed with his own physical and mental health during the race.

The rookie was stoked to finish fifth on debut in at V8 Supercar at Bathurst – and also mentioned that this felt like a win to him.

“I’m really proud of our efforts during the Bathurst weekend, we kept the car straight and came home with a strong result,” Hazelwood continued.

“All of this would not be possible without the on-going efforts from the team, my family, sponsors and supporters – I cannot thank them enough.”

The fifth place pushed the teenager to eighth in the championship on 966 points, with Hazelwood currently leading the rookie standings in the Dunlop Series.

The finish also left Hazelwood the highest ranked driver that did not race in yesterday’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

“We will now start preparing for Sydney, hopefully we can finish the year off with a good result.”

Round 7 is the final round of the Dunlop Series championship, and will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park circuit at Homebush on December 5-6.

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Rookie Hazelwood Finishes Ninth in Qualifying for Bathurst Enduro

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Todd Hazelwood made a great rookie debut, P9 in Qualifying

Todd Hazelwood made a great rookie debut, P9 in Qualifying

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Todd Hazelwood has qualified inside the top ten in the V8 Supercars Dunlop Development Series for this afternoon’s Bathurst 250km endurance race.

During a 30-minute session that was red-flagged twice, the 19-year-old drove a strong lap to secure him ninth on the starting grid for the 41-lap race.

Hazelwood also finished a strong ninth position in Practice and at one stage was a high as fourth on the lap time board, with the teenager stoked with yesterday’s results.

“Very pleased with our efforts in both Practice and Qualifying,” Hazelwood said.

“It has been a tough day both getting confidence around the Mount Panorama circuit and understanding what set-up to use.

“We need to work on set-up for today’s big race … hopefully with some more homework we can find some more speed for the race later this afternoon.”

The rookie driver also mentioned that this race will be his biggest challenge to date – and he is still focusing on getting further towards the top of the series championship.

“250km around Bathurst is going to be my biggest challenge in my racing career – both mentally and physically,” Hazelwood continued.

“I feel being placed ninth is a good starting position and we have the potential to go forward from there.

“Maintaining our position in the race would be amazing, it would feel like a win for us … hopefully we can have a good and clean race, keep out of trouble and bank some good points for our championship.”

The teenager is currently eleventh in the championship on 744 points, with Hazelwood currently leading the rookie standings in the Dunlop Series.

Hazelwood will hit the Mount Panorama circuit in his Tecalemit Ford Falcon at 9:55am local time for a brief warm up session; with the race being telecast live on Channel 7 at 12:30pm.

Race schedule – Mount Panorama, Bathurst
Saturday: Warm up – 9:55 (15 minutes)
Race 1 – 12:30 (250km) live on Seven

Hazelwood Pumped for Debut at the Mountain

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Hazelwood sporting a new Tecalemit Racing/Thomas Steel Fabrication livery

Hazelwood sporting a new Tecalemit Racing/Thomas Steel Fabrication livery

DUNLOP SERIES rookie Todd Hazelwood will be making his debut at the historic Mount Panorama circuit today, and could not be more excited to make his V8 Supercars Dunlop Development Series debut.

The 19-year-old tested last week at Queensland Raceway for this year’s new 250km race format and said this helped with his preparation leading-up towards this week.

“Testing last week went really well, I mainly focused on cold-tyre pace and pit-stop procedures,” Hazelwood said.

“This will be the biggest race of my career to date, 250km around Australia’s toughest track including a compulsory pit-stop in front of big crowds – the pressure could not be greater.

“My mental and physical training for the last few months has been successful, hopefully I can take some of the rookie success at the mountain.”

Although Hazelwood has focused on mental physical strain for the mountain, one of his biggest tasks was to find the financial support to make it to the endurance race on Saturday.

The South Australian is very thankful for all the on-going support and would like to thank Tecalemit Australia, Thomas Steel Fabrication, iSeek, Verto, Australian Post-Tensioning and The Pool Shop Group for partnering with Hazelwood for the Bathurst week.

This is a dream come true for the teenager and he cannot wait to hit the circuit this morning for Practice 1.

“I’m super excited about this week … it is very special to be racing at the iconic Bathurst 1000 weekend for the first time in a V8 Supercar,” Hazelwood said.

“I cannot wait to get on track and absorb all of the emotions the mountain brings.”

The teenager is currently eleventh in the championship on 744 points, with Hazelwood currently leading the rookie standings in the Dunlop Series.

Hazelwood will hit the Mount Panorama circuit for the first time in his Tecalemit Ford Falcon at 10:05 local time.

Race schedule – Mount Panorama, Bathurst
Thursday: Practice 1 – 10:05 (50 minutes)
Friday:     Practice 2 – 10:25 (50 minutes)
Qualifying – 15:55 (90 minutes)
Saturday: Warm up – 9:55 (15 minutes)
Race 1 – 12:30 (250km) live on Seven

Tecalemit Australia Partners with Hazelwood for Bathurst

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

V8 SUPERCARS Dunlop Development Series regular Todd Hazelwood is proud to announce that Tecalemit Australia will be the major sponsor at the Bathurst Endurance Round.

The vehicle hoists and lubrication equipment brand are excited to be supporting the 18-year-old for his debut in a V8 Supercar at the Mount Panorama circuit in October.

“All of the staff here at Tecalemit Australia ​are very excited and proud to be the naming rights partner for Todd Hazelwood Racing at the mighty Bathurst event,” National Sales and Marketing manager of Tecalemit, Dean Rothapfel said.

“We are strong supporters of Todd and his family, and we trust Todd will perform well on-and-off the track to ensure our Tecalemit brand will receive great recognition and exposure throughout the event.

“We can’t wait to be involved with Todd and the team – and we all look forward to cheering him on in the Tecalemit V8 Supercar.”

Tecalemit are a regular sponsor of the young South Australian, having jumped on board at the start of Hazelwood’s National Formula 3 campaign in 2013.

The teenager is very grateful for Tecalemit’s strong support during his racing career to date.

“It is fantastic to have the iconic South Australian business come on-board as the naming rights partner for Bathurst and I am very proud to continue our partnership going into the biggest round for the year,” Hazelwood said.

“Tecalemit have been a strong supporter of mine over the last two seasons, and I believe there is no better event than Bathurst to come on-board as a major partner in the V8 Supercars Dunlop Series.

“Without the support of Tecalemit and my other sponsors throughout 2014, the Bathurst dream would not have been possible.”

About Tecalemit:
Tecalemit has been a name synonymous with lubrication equipment since the 1920’s and commenced manufacturing operations in Australia in 1941.

Tecalemit’s vehicle hoists & lubrication systems can be observed in many leading light and heavy vehicle workshops Australia wide.

At Tecalemit, they understand the importance of reliability and safety and built their reputation around by only providing quality products. They can also assist with the design and lubrication equipment specification to provide a state of the art workshop development.

Tecalemit are the leaders in providing solutions for critical and sophisticated lubrication systems for the mining industry, managing many complex fixed and mobile plant lubrication projects.

Whatever your lubrication equipment needs, Tecalemit can provide equipment based solutions that safely deliver reliability, durability and improved productivity, making your job easier.

For more information on Tecalemit contact on 1800 68 55 77, or click the links to view their website, Facebook and YouTube pages.

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Written by Loren Hazelwood for Todd Hazelwood Racing and Tecalemit Australia.

Ten years later: Diamonds announced lost after strapped to F1 car

Fiasco Sports, Formula 1

A bizarre story has filtered from the Formula 1 paddock, and it’s not to do with this weekend’s race.

Christian Klein's F1 car been taking back to pit paddock after Lap 1 crash. Photo: AP Image/Remy de la Mauviniere

Whoever thought it would be a good idea to place two diamonds on the nose of a Formula 1 car, ripping around the streets of Monaco?

Well, in 2004 for the movie premiere of Ocean’s Twelve, movie producers decided to place diamonds worth $300,000 on the front of Austrian driver Christian Klein’s Jaguar.

Of course traditionally on an opening lap at Monaco, the car was involved in a crash and the diamonds were – well, nowhere to be seen.

Due to strict FIA Formula 1 regulations, the team were not allowed to search the track hours after the race.

No one knows what happened to the diamonds – however it is to be believed that a lucky spectator found the sparkling rock.

According to script writer Doug DeMuro, the diamonds were not insured.

Written by Loren Hazelwood. @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/ten-years-later-diamonds-announced-lost-after-strapped-to-f1-car/#sthash.zbmI1y5o.dpuf