Cyril Terrence “Tom” Delaney, the World’s oldest licensed racing driver, passed away on September 1, he was 95. Earlier this year his long-time companion, Lulu, died and Tom’s health quickly declined from then on.
Tom was synonymous with the Lea Francis Hyper his father first purchased for him in the ’30s. When asked about it by VR in 2005, he recalled, “I’ve always raced with the same Lea-Francis car my father bought me soon after I left school. He used to race in his day and he was anxious that one of the family should continue in the sport. It is the same car that Kaye Don won the TT race in 1928. My first races were at Brooklands in the 1930s where I did quite well. In 1931, I got pole position for the first time in the Irish Grand Prix at Phoenix Park. I held the lead for about 250 miles, then I had rather a long pit stop unfortunately and lost my place. I remember racing at Donington Park when it first opened. I even managed to beat Richard Seaman, in my small Lea-Francis.”
In 2005 the Motor Sports Association awarded Delaney its first “Lifetime Achievement Award.” In typical style, when asked how long he would continue to race he replied, “As long as the car lasts.” Tom’s son, Geoffrey, and granddaughter, Lucy, continue to race the Lea-Francis Hyper cars. Vintage Racecar extends sincere condolences to his family, many friends, and fellow competitors.
by Mike Jiggle
