Rob Hazell

At 57 years of age I've had a life-long enthusiasm for Motor Sport which might have started when I was taken to my first Grand Prix when just three years old. I apparently saw Juan Manuel Fangio win that day in a Lancia Ferrari on his way to his fourth World Championship.

In the sixties I remained a spectator before enjoying a few years as a team manager both for Valentino Musetti, (yes that is "John Steed" standing next to the car - follow the link), and with my own private six car Club Racing team which included my father, Eddie. I then briefly raced a 100 National Lynx kart before returning to the role of spectator in the 1980's.

When a business customer and good friend of mine, Graham Morris, made the switch from bike to car racing in the early 1990's, the lure proved too much and I happily took on the position of (honary) P.R. Manager for him as he went from part-time club racer to BRDC GT Championship contender in just six years. We were the Official Motor Race Team of Great Ormond Street Hospital and raised several thousand pounds for them through our racing. Many of those exploits can still be read at

At the same time I also worked on the merchandising side of the Thrust SSC Supersonic World Land Speed Record contender for Richard Noble, (where's his knighthhood then?), and Andy Green and was delighted to be awarded Platinum Membership in recognition of my contribution.

 Some measure of the extraordinary achievements of these two amazing guys is that they have now held the record for Britain, ("and for the Hell of It !") for more than 26 years and plan to take it even further out of reach with the Bloodhound SSC 1000mph car

Although by now I'd long given up any ideas of racing cars like my father had done, (he'd also raced in the 1930's), I did have the good fortune to learn many trackcraft skills through a series of "Goldtrack" track days with the highly talented Ross Bygrave as my instructor, and a 1600 full race Roadsports Caterham to drive.

Then when I realised that Johnny not only enjoyed karting but was also a promising driver, the opportunity for us both to go racing was just too irresistable and so here we are, with the chance to both enjoy our high speed hobby, and to raise some funds for people less fortunate than ourselves.

However charity fund raising isn't an entirely new concept to the Hazell family as you may wish to read at