Hazelwood joins Ford Performance Racing as Team Testing Rookie

Ford Fanatic Todd Hazelwood grew up following the Ford Performance Racing team’s every move.

But in a drastic role reversal, FPR’s eyes were recently on Hazelwood, as he got behind the wheel of one of their V8 Supercars.

The 18-year-old South Australian toughed out eight weeks of fierce competition, beating seven other up and coming drivers, to be crowned as the winner of the 2013 Shannons Supercar Showdown competition. As part of the top prize, Hazelwood was rewarded with an opportunity to test drive with his beloved Ford Performance Racing team. A prospect he had previously only dreamt about.“This is more than a dream come true for me, to be wearing the Ford Performance Racing factory colours and be testing one of their cars at only 18 years old is just awesome,” Hazelwood said.

Hazelwood had FPR Team Principal, Tim Edwards, trackside to offer some last minute advice. Luckily, Hazelwood managed to complete a clean and consistent run, and impress Edwards.

“He did a great job, he just built up to it steadily, went out,  just learnt the car, learnt the track, and just got progressively faster,” Edwards said.

Hazelwood will spend the next year testing with FPR, working towards his dream of one day driving with the team full time.

“Being a part of the Shannons Supercar Showdown, has been a fantastic opportunity… without Shannons and all the other supporters it wouldn’t be possible, so it’s really taken my career to the next step.

I’m really looking forward to what lies ahead now”. said Hazelwood

Todd Hazelwood's win in the TV Series, caps off a very successful series of Shannons Supercar Showdown which has now unearthed new driver talent in Cameron Waters (2011) Winner who has established himself as a competitive driver in the Dunlop Development Series and Jesse Dixon (2012), who continues to challenge the leaders in the Australian V8 Ute Series.

"Apart from delivering a great television series in the form of Shannons Supercar Showdown, it really is about supporting new talent in Australian motor racing" said Mark Behr, Shannons Matketing Manager.  

Watch the full video summary of Todd Hazelwood’s testing session in the FPR car # 55 V8 Supercar.