Hazelwood Reflects on Perfect Rookie Season

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

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.

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

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

Set-up changes the key for today’s Qualifying and Race 1

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd Hazelwood in Practice yesterday. Credit: Matthew Paul Photography

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Todd Hazelwood is ready for his race debut at Queensland Raceway in the Dunlop Series, and believes after yesterday’s practice the car will be great for Qualifying and Race 1 for Round 5 of the championship.

Yesterday saw the teenager finish Practice 1 in fifth place, and in Practice 2 a respectable twelfth.

“In practice I was very happy with the amount of set-up combinations we tried throughout the two sessions yesterday,” Hazelwood said.

“The key aspect we achieved was to understand what set-up to run in Qualifying and also in Race 1 today.

“It was good to go out in the first session and finish inside the top five … it is great for the team and myself to be on the front foot from the first session and to continue towards the right direction.”

The Thomas Steel Fabrication/All Purpose Pest Control Falcon currently leads the rookie standings in the series and is seventh in the championship on 666 points, with the 18-year-old looking to extend his rookie lead after today’s results.

“The field was separated by a small margin throughout practice yesterday, and it will be even closer in Qualifying,” Hazelwood continued.

“It’s going to be a crucial session … fingers crossed we can put it all together for today!”

The Matt Stone Racing driver will hit the Willowbank circuit at 10:35 (AEST) this morning for the first Qualifying session for Round 5 of the Dunlop Series.

Round 5 V8 Supercars Dunlop Series – Queensland Raceway (AEST)
Saturday: Qualifying 1 – 10:35 (30 minutes), Race 1 – 15:25 (29 laps) live on Seven/7mate
Sunday: Race 2 – 13:55 (29 laps) live on Seven/7mate

Hazelwood Moves to Fifth in Series After First Race at Townsville

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd Hazelwood. Image credit: Digital Realism

AFTER REMAINING consistent throughout the series this year, Todd Hazelwood has moved to fifth in the Dunlop Development Series after finishing an impressive eighth in Race 1 for Round 4 of the championship at Townsville.

The 18-year-old stayed out of trouble and climbed his way through the field, and the teenager is looking to further his way through the field again in today’s Race 2.

“After a disappointing qualifying, we were aiming to move into the top ten and gain crucial championship points,” the South Australian said.

“It was a crazy race filled with safety cars, making it tough to stay out of trouble, but we did well to keep moving through the pack and gaining positions.

“Throughout the race I really struggled to get the car balanced, we spent all night looking through the data after Race 1.”

The Thomas Steel Fabrication driver will be on-track today at 1:15 (AEST), starting from position eight after today’s qualifying session.

“Really pleased with the changes we made for qualifying today, which really suited the track’s conditions,” Hazelwood continued.

“It’s always nice to beat my personal best in qualifying, hopefully in today’s race we can get a good start and move closer to the front.”

Hazelwood has moved from ninth to fifth in the championship currently on 600 points, whilst leading the rookie standings in the Dunlop Series.

Round 4 Dunlop Development Series Townsville 500 (all times AEST)

Sunday:
Qualifying 2: 9:25
Race 2: 13:15 (Race 2 live on Seven/7mate)

Hazelwood Focused on Debut in North Queensland

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Todd Hazelwood has never raced up north of Queensland, and after Perth’s success he is ready for his debut at the Townsville street circuit for Round 4 of the Dunlop Development Series.

The South Australian also had a successful test day a week ago at Queensland Raceway, believing he has what it takes to consistently remain inside the top-ten.

“I cannot wait to get out on track and cut some laps around this tricky street circuit … there is some really cool aspects about the Townsville circuit that I believe will suit my driving style well,” Hazelwood said.

“We had a very successful test day last Wednesday and I’m feeling confident that we can keep moving up through the field.

“Perth was a dream weekend, everything went to plan and we were able to capitalise on every situation.

“If we can qualify strong again it will help set-up our weekend perfectly, and hopefully we can bank some good points and move forward in the championship.”

The teenager is currently inside the top-ten of the championship in ninth on 510 points, and is currently leading the rookie standing in the Dunlop Series.

Hazelwood has also picked up some great Queensland sponsors who will be supporting him throughout the round at Townsville.

“I’m really excited to start new partnerships with Thomas Steel Fabrication, ACS Engineering, City Generators and Protile for this weekend,” Hazelwood said.

“Without the support from these businesses we would be unable to race.

“With what we have installed for our sponsors this weekend they are sure to enjoy a great weekend and hopefully we can get some good results for them too. “

Hazelwood will hit the circuit today for practice; check the schedule below for television and racing times.

Round 4 Dunlop Development Series Townsville 500 (all times AEST)

Friday: Practice 1: 9:00, Practice 2: 13:25

Saturday: Qualifying 1: 8:45, Race 1: 15:30 (Race 1 live on Seven/7mate)

Sunday: Qualifying 2: 9:25, Race 2: 13:15 (Race 2 live on Seven/7mate)

Fourth Position Overall for Hazelwood at Perth

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd Hazelwood. Photo credit: Cam Waters

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Todd Hazelwood has finished an astounding fourth place for Round 3 of the Dunlop Development Series at Barbagallo Raceway in Perth.

The 18-year-old held off his more experienced rivals in the thrilling final race for the round, closely finishing in fifth position.

Hazelwood was only 12-points shy from his first Dunlop Series podium, but still managed his personal best result finishing fourth for the round.

“It was such an awesome feeling to have two top five finishes this weekend, there has been so much work going on behind the scenes to produce this result and I’m really proud to accomplish this,” Hazelwood said.

“I had some great battles throughout the race and it was tough to decide weather to push hard or conserve tyres, but with a great team behind me I was able to maximise both and have strong speed towards the end of the race.

“It’s great to race against ex-V8 Supercar drivers in this field, not only am I learning a lot but it also proves to myself that I have what it takes to mix it with some of the best.”

The youngster is now planning to find funding for the next round of the Dunlop Series at Townsville.

“With today’s great result, hopefully I have now proven to potential sponsors that I have what it takes to be racing in the V8 Supercars field,” Hazelwood continued.

“It would be great to find a major sponsor for Round 4 of the championship at Townsville.

“We would love to back-up our strong results produced in Perth, continuing our strong consistent form in both the rookie standings and the overall championship.”

Hazelwood currently leads the Dunlop Series rookie standings, and with today’s result the rookie has moved up to ninth in the championship on 510 points, with only 84 points separating ninth to third in the championship.

The next round of the Dunlop Development Series will be held as the Castrol Townsville 500 in conjunction with the V8 Supercars, over July 4-6.

Dunlop Series Personal Best for Hazelwood Finishing Fifth in Perth

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd Hazelwood. Photo: Naomi Maltby

TODD Hazelwood has finished his personal best in the Dunlop Development Series, coming home for Race 1 of Round 3 of the Dunlop Development Series in fifth position at Barbagallo Raceway.

The 18-year-old is ecstatic with today’s results, and believed it was only a matter of time before he could produce a top five result.

“What a fantastic way to start our weekend, with fifth place in Race 1,” Hazelwood said.

“It’s great to see all of the hard work we have all put in this year start to pay off and this is a great way to say thank you to everyone who believed in me, making this opportunity possible.

“It was quite a long race, I knew the key thing at the start was to look after my tyres to have something to work with at the end of the race.”

Hazelwood also set three fastest laps towards the closing stages of the race.

Tomorrow’s Race 2 will be a reverse-grid top ten, placing the teenager in sixth spot on the grid.

“Really looking forward starting from sixth position tomorrow in the reverse top-ten race,” Hazelwood continued.

“We know we have good car speed, so hopefully we can get a good start again and aim for another strong result.

The teenager is leading the rookie standings and with today’s result is now inside the top ten of the Dunlop Development Series Championship sitting in 10th position.

The second race for Round 3 of the championship will begin tomorrow at 11:40am (AWST), check your local guides for the television coverage of the race.

Race schedule – Perth 400 Barbagallo Raceway

Sunday: 11:40: Race 2 (38 laps) check local guides for television coverage

Todd Hazelwood Impresses with Fourth in Practice

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd Hazelwood

EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Todd Hazelwood has performed above his own expectations, finishing Practice 2 in an impressive fourth position during Round 3 of the Dunlop Development Series, held at Barbagallo Raceway in Perth.

The South Australian was sitting in second during the halfway mark of Practice 2, but after other teams putting fresh tyres on Hazelwood fell back to fourth.

Hazelwood is impressed with today’s practice efforts, and is looking forward to his first career race at Barbagallo Raceway tomorrow.

“It was a great day having my first laps at Barbagallo, after watching it for years on TV it was great to experience it behind the wheel for the first time,” Hazelwood said.

“Really enjoying the layout of the track, it has some really cool aspects and I am really looking forward doing more laps tomorrow.

“Very pleased to finish fourth overall in practice today, my team and I have looked through the data and there is more to be gained for qualifying and Race 1 tomorrow.

“Hopefully we can repay our supporters with a strong result tomorrow.”

Hazelwood finished 10th in Practice 1, despite never turning a lap at the Barbagallo circuit.

The teenager is also leading the rookie standings in the Dunlop Development Series championship, while currently placed 11th overall in the series.

Tomorrow Hazelwood will be on track for qualifying at 11:00am (AWST) for qualifying and 13:25pm (AWST) for Race 1, with the Dunlop Development Series race also televised live on Channel Seven (check your local guides for times).

Race schedule – Perth 400 Barbagallo Raceway

Saturday:11:00: Qualifying 1 (40 minutes)
13:25: Race 1 (38 laps) live on Seven

Sunday: 11:40: Race 2 (38 laps)

Hazelwood Gains Championhip Momentum in Competitive Dunlop Series Round 2

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd racing at Winton. Photo: Belinda Douglas

TODD Hazelwood has once again outperformed with his rookie status, finishing Race 2 of the Dunlop Series in 11^th place out of 30 highly experienced racers at Winton Raceway.

With only making his fourth Dunlop Series start, the teenager drove his way through the field from a position 15 grid spot, gaining a strong advantage after the safety car restart avoiding the carnage, gaining the 18-year-old a 12^th place finish overall for the round.

“Race two was action packed, the start was nose to tail and there was cars going everywhere, I was very lucky to survive lap one and not get turned around,” Hazelwood said.

“The safety car restart was crazy, I could see a couple of cars starting to hit the brakes hard in front of me and it was just a chain of cars running into each other, and I was fortunate to somehow miss the chaos and avoid damage.

“I’m very pleased with finishing 11th in Race 2 and 12th for the round.

“Both the team and myself worked hard all weekend and this is a great reward for my sponsors and supporters knowing that we are forever improving and getting closer and closer to the front of the 30 car field.”

Hazelwood is currently sitting outside the top ten of the Dunlop Series Championship on 288 points in 11^th position out of 34 drivers.

“It’s a great feeling knowing we are 11th in the championship in just my second race meeting in a V8 Supercar,” Hazelwood said.

“There is some very experienced drivers both in front and behind me, so we have to be pleased with our current position.”

Round 3 of the Dunlop Development Series Championship will be held at Barbagallo Raceway for the Perth 400 in conjunction with the V8 Supercars, May 15-18.

Top 15 Finish for Race 1 at Winton Raceway

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd Hazelwood in the pits ready for Qualifying 1

AFTER a strong practice session yesterday, Todd Hazelwood raced his way to position 15 in Race 1 showing promising pace for tomorrow’s final race at Round 2 of the Dunlop Series Championship at Winton Raceway.

The South Australian showed strong pace from the beginning of the day, finishing qualifying in position 13 with a lap time of 1:24.5447.

Race 1 saw Hazelwood three-wide on the outside of Turn 1 during the opening lap, falling back a few positions after being pushed wide, coming out in 20^th position.

The 18-year-old pressed on, charging his way back through the field to finish an impressive 15^th place over the 25-lap distance.

“After a good qualifying session this morning we were feeling confident we could produce a top-ten result in Race 1,” Hazelwood said.

“It was promising to know that we had good car speed throughout the race it was just a shame to get caught out on the outside at the start which hurt us with track position on the opening lap.

“Although 15^th isn’t the place we want to be, I am forever improving and I’m understanding the car better every time I get behind the wheel.

“It’s important during my learning stages to gain as many championship points as possible and set ourselves up for a strong placing in the championship at the end of the year.”

The teenager will hit the circuit for the final race tomorrow, with his starting position for Race 2 based on his finishing position for Race 1.

Hazelwood is currently sitting outside the top ten of the Dunlop Series Championship on 216 points in 12^th position.

Race 2 will start at 1:15pm AEST and the lap times can be viewed live through www.natsoft.com.au.

Winton 400

Sunday (6 April)
13:15: Race 2 (25 laps)

Media by Loren Hazelwood

Motor sport media, marketing and content specialist

Matt Stone Racing

Hazelwood Reflects on Perfect Rookie Season

Rookie Hazelwood Finishes Ninth in Qualifying for Bathurst Enduro

Set-up changes the key for today’s Qualifying and Race 1

Hazelwood Moves to Fifth in Series After First Race at Townsville

Hazelwood Focused on Debut in North Queensland

Fourth Position Overall for Hazelwood at Perth

Dunlop Series Personal Best for Hazelwood Finishing Fifth in Perth

Todd Hazelwood Impresses with Fourth in Practice

Hazelwood Gains Championhip Momentum in Competitive Dunlop Series Round 2

Top 15 Finish for Race 1 at Winton Raceway