Tony Gaze OAM

Guest · 26 Jan 2006, 02:21 (Ref:1509212)

I was just reading the Australia Day Honours list at www.itsanhonour.gov.au and I stumbled across this

Quote:

Mr Frederick Anthony GAZE - For service to the sport of motor racing.

The man is a legend and I think it is a well deserved honour, congratulations!

Matt H · 26 Jan 2006, 04:53 (Ref:1509224)

never heard of him, here i was thinking it was andrew gazes dad :P

**GTRMagic** · 26 Jan 2006, 05:20 (Ref:1509227)

From Google....

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/drv-gazton.html

DRIVERS: TONY GAZE
Name: Tony Gaze
Nationality: Australia
Date of birth: March 3, 1920 - Melbourne, Australia
A Spitfire pilot in Britain from the age of 21, Gaze flew as Douglas Bader's wingman from March 1941. One of Tangmere's satellite aerodromes was called Westhampnett and when not flying Gaze and others raced around the circuit's perimeter roads in MGs. He was shot down over Le Treport in 1943 but escaped back to England and in June 1944 became the first Allied airman to land back on European soil. He later switched to Meteor jets and ended the war as a Squadron Leader with two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross and "ace" status having been credited with 12.5 "kills" in aerial combat.

In 1946 Gaze suggested the Duke of Richmond and Gordon - better known in the motor racing world as Freddy March - that the perimeter roads of the Westhampnett aerodrome - which had been built on land belonging to the Duke - would make a very fine racing circuit. March tried a few laps and agreed and Westhampnett became the Goodwood racing circuit.

Gaze raced in Australia in the immediate postwar period in a prewar Alta and then returned to Britain to race one of Geoffrey Taylor's Alta F2 cars in 1951, although without any success.

In 1952 he began the year with the same car but then bought a new HWM-Alta and competed in the Belgian, British and German Grands Prix. He failed to qualify at Monza. He later switched to sportscar racing in which he enjoyed more success both in Europe and Australia. He later retired and took up farming and eventually married Di Davison, the widow of Australia's famous racer Lex Davidson and an accomplished racing driver in her own right.

storyline · 26 Jan 2006, 05:23 (Ref:1509228)

That makes two names unknown in racing 'driver' circles then.

Tim will just have to wait another year now.

Raglanparade · 26 Jan 2006, 07:17 (Ref:1509249)

He was mentioned on National Nine News tonite, so maybe he isnt that unknown

Guest · 26 Jan 2006, 07:49 (Ref:1509261)

Tony and Dianna have been around motorsport for years and years, I am suprised that they appear to be 'unknown'

storyline · 26 Jan 2006, 08:30 (Ref:1509282)

Dianne has been around - certainly - but as a driver??

Quote:

married Di Davison, the widow of Australia's famous racer Lex Davidson and an accomplished racing driver in her own right.

Guest · 26 Jan 2006, 08:46 (Ref:1509290)

Yes she did do some racing I do recall

00 XR8 · 26 Jan 2006, 11:41 (Ref:1509363)

"Legends of Speed" by Bill Woods mentions the exploits of this little known Australian Grand Prix hero extensively IIRC.

bathurst77 · 26 Jan 2006, 12:27 (Ref:1509375)

Member in the Order of Australia (AM)

Mr Peter Howard WARREN ("of Peter Warren Ford)"
Woolloomooloo NSW
For service to the community through support for a wide range of health, social welfare, medical research and sporting bodies, and to the motor trades industry.

Mr Ross Henry SINCLAIR ("of Sinclair Ford")
Mulgoa NSW
For service to the community of Penrith, particularly through support for service, sporting, health and social welfare organisations.

-------------
---------
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Mr Frederick Anthony GAZE, DFC
Mangalore Vic 3663
For service to the sport of motor racing

Mr John Patrick HURNEY
Wembley Downs WA 6019
For service to motor sport in Western Australia as a competitor, instructor, official and license assessor.

Mr Eric John ZUPP (Zupps Holden etc)
Mount Gravatt Qld 4122
For service to the motor trades industry, and to the community through support for a range of social welfare organisations.

racer69 · 26 Jan 2006, 16:50 (Ref:1509535)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00 XR8

"Legends of Speed" by Bill Woods mentions the exploits of this little known Australian Grand Prix hero extensively IIRC.

And following with the rest of the theme of the book, Woods got it wrong.

Great to see a motorsport personality get given this award, especially someone who represented us overseas.

Henry · 26 Jan 2006, 22:14 (Ref:1509721)

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer69

And following with the rest of the theme of the book, Woods got it wrong.

Great to see a motorsport personality get given this award, especially someone who represented us overseas.

Still, Woodsy's to be applauded for at least attempting to tell the story (stories) of some of our less-lauded, but by no means insignificant motor racing alumni... Tony Gaze competed in what's regarded as a golden age, and his recollections (as per Bill's Book) paint a picture of a very different motor racing world to thew one we observe today.

Guest · 26 Jan 2006, 22:42 (Ref:1509735)

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer69

Great to see a motorsport personality get given this award, especially someone who represented us overseas.

Raced for his country and fought for his country!

Rombles1 · 27 Jan 2006, 00:47 (Ref:1509810)

Interesting that he gets the gong for the former not the latter.....

stoned pony · 27 Jan 2006, 00:57 (Ref:1509814)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt H

never heard of him, here i was thinking it was andrew gazes dad :P

Ignorance is bliss, isn't it? Perhaps if he had driven a V8 Supercar at some stage of his life.....
Heard of Bill Pitt, MUrray Carter, David McKay, Harry Firth, Peter Manton or Brian Foley then?

storyline · 27 Jan 2006, 01:17 (Ref:1509827)

And another motor sport Australia Day award goes to:

Quote:

BRETT STEVENS HONOURED WITH AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD

Brisbane based duel National Drag Racing Champion Brett ‘The Boss’ Stevens was honoured for his sporting achievements and contributions to the community when he was presented with the Caboolture Shire Sportsperson of the Year in the 2006 Australia Day Awards yesterday (January 26).

Stevens, the owner/driver of Australia’s largest drag racing team Jack Daniel’s Racing, has been at the forefront of Top Fuel Motorcycle racing for over a decade in Australia piloting his 800 horsepower Nitro Harley winning the Australian Championship in 2005.

Henry · 27 Jan 2006, 01:56 (Ref:1509839)

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoned pony

Ignorance is bliss, isn't it? Perhaps if he had driven a V8 Supercar at some stage of his life.....
Heard of Bill Pitt, MUrray Carter, David McKay, Harry Firth, Peter Manton or Brian Foley then?

Sad, but true.... there's a whole list of names one could dredge out, and be met with nothing but blank stares. At least We've managed to get Tony Gaze's name on a V8Supercar BB... and you never know, it might spark someone's interest in life before the SuperCircus...

storyline · 27 Jan 2006, 02:15 (Ref:1509843)

This time you are talking a longggg time before the V8's though. I mean, mention Lella Lombardi and see how many remember what she drive in Australia?

BlueMax · 27 Jan 2006, 02:24 (Ref:1509844)

It was a Alfa I think, about 30 years a go.

Seton Fanatic · 27 Jan 2006, 03:10 (Ref:1509852)

Andrew Gaze's father's name is Lindsay, perhaps Australia's greatest basketball ambassador.

As for Tony Gaze, well, having read Legends of Speed, and hearing of his story, and F1 career, this award is long overdue. I wonder how you can nominate an individual for an Australia Day or other relevant honour.

storyline · 27 Jan 2006, 03:22 (Ref:1509858)

It isn't hard - a Google search came up with the web site straight away: http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/about_honours.html

Henry · 27 Jan 2006, 03:27 (Ref:1509859)

BlueMax, it was Formula 5000... and led many of the boys a merry dance too. IIRC Max Stewart resorted to throwing up a bit of verge behind him to put her off the scent in one of the races they contested. Lella remains the only woman to ever score F1 points.

If you're thinking of an international female driver and an Alfa, it would be Marie-Claude Beaumont

BlueMax · 27 Jan 2006, 03:57 (Ref:1509866)

Yes you are correct Henry. It was Marie-Claude Beaumont that I was thinking of.

racer69 · 27 Jan 2006, 05:05 (Ref:1509886)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seton Fanatic

As for Tony Gaze, well, having read Legends of Speed, and hearing of his story, and F1 career, this award is long overdue. I wonder how you can nominate an individual for an Australia Day or other relevant honour.

Not an F1 career. When he took part in Grands Prix counting for the World Drivers Championship, the championship was run to F2 regulations.

Henry - While we're being technical, she never even scored 1 point let alone points. She earnt half a point (rain-shortened 1975 British GP wasn't it?)

Henry · 27 Jan 2006, 06:21 (Ref:1509893)

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer69

Henry - While we're being technical, she never even scored 1 point let alone points. She earnt half a point (rain-shortened 1975 British GP wasn't it?)

Yeah, I should've put "fractions of points"

Still, she achieved what many couldn't even aspire to do... and was well-regarded by her peers I believe.

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