For a ‘child’ of the technological age, Todd Hazelwood believes in going back to basics when it comes to having fun.
He loves nothing better than tinkering with cars when he has time away from the track. But it’s what is in the garage that will surprise: one he describes as ‘a bit of a cruiser’ while the other is a project he started when he was 12.
The ‘cruiser’ was bought during the Covid lockdown. He wanted a vehicle that was easy to get on the road and have a bit of fun with – hence a 1977 Ford Falcon 500 XC wagon.
“It’s all original. The original 4.1-litre, six-cylinder engine and what they call the ‘poverty pack’,” he laughs. “There are absolutely no optional extras: no power windows, no left-side mirror, no clock, no stereo. It’s the most basic Ford wagon you could ever get.
“It’s big and yellow so I call it the big banana. My parents had a similar car in the same colour, and I think it is pretty cool. I love driving it.”
Although Todd has driven a number of GM products during his racing career, he admits to being a long-time Ford lover, thanks to ‘brainwashing’ by dad Russell and mum Sharon since he was a child. Back in those early days, there was nothing but the blue oval in his mind. So why that particular car?
“I have always liked wagons since I was a kid, particularly the XA, XB
