1978 - Daf 55 ( Volvo 66 ) BDX 1975cc-
1978 at Donington Park didn't bring Tony much joy from his 6 visits there in the DAF . Both Wendy Wools rounds were a DNS and the other finishes were 6th twice, 7th and 9th. Photo John Gaisford.
The DAF 55 V8 brief history...
Truly one of the iconic supersaloon cars of the '70s. Bonkers creation from Tony Hazelwood to race using a short DAF coupe from Holland and stuffing a Rover V8, then a 450 bhp Oldsmobile V8 under the bonnet. The build took 2000 man hours with the help of Chas Beattie and Cooper Motors. The result was entertaining handling and certainly fast, setting the first 100mph saloon lap at Thruxton amongst other lap records.
Colin Folwell of Corbeau Seat fame bought the car and loaned it back to Tony H. to continue racing during the height of the supersaloon era.
Alan Minshaw of Demon Tweeks was the next owner and had a couple of seasons with her before letting Tony Sugden race it in 1978. A switch to using the 2-litre BDX from Tony's Escort made it handle a little easier and also made it eligiable for the BARC Wendy Wools which had a 2500cc limit . Re-branded as a Volvo 66 in line with Volvo's takeover of the DAF company and having been in various colours she was repainted all red. Tony won the very first national Wendy Wools round, Thruxton March 12th but it would be the rival BRSCC 'Rivet Supply' championship that Tony gained 9 podiums to win the 2500cc class than year. Suprisingly the Thruxton win, his 2nd race of the year was the only outright win all season with 3 class wins in total from 30 races.
The car had been for sale for sometime whilst being raced and would eventually find a new buyer having been advertised less engine for £3500 along with the origianal Olds V8 engine for £1100 separate. The car soon disappeared until Tony Hazelwood was able to aquire most of what was left late 2003 and undertook a huge restoration to bring her back to original condition and livery.
The old girl has made a few public appearances since its restoration such as Goodwood , Cholmondeley and at the Thruxton 50th anniversary meeting in 2018.
In 2020 new owner Andy Wilson gave the car its first competitive race at the CSCC Special Saloons round at Donington Park.
April 22nd - Oulton Park at the Manchester Liners/Demon Tweeks race day. A big day for Alan Minshaw the car`s owner / sponsor and MD of Demon Tweeks. Tony took 4th in the Wendy Wools race.
May 29th Thruxton - Tony raced 4 times at Thruxton during the 1978 season scoring his only outright race win there in only his 2nd outing of the year in the Daf at a Wendy Wools round. Here at the chicane during the BRDC Super Saloon round wearing his championship number 51, he took 4th, 2nd in class.
July 30th 1978 - Brands Hatch : The Daf about to go out for wet qualifying for the Rivet Supply round. Tony`s wife Rose noted every practice lap time on the entry sheet and many were around the 65 second mark some 15 seconds slower than when Tony returned for the October round. The race was on a drying track but Tony spun and retired at Druids. Note car seems to be running on much narrower rear tires from this photo.
October 22nd 1978 - Mallory Park : The BRSCC Rivet Supply finale and Tony`s 2nd in class was enough to win the 2500cc class from Derek Walker`s challenge. Although Tony only won the class twice, his five 2nds and two 3rds racked up the points in a consistent season.
