Autospeed were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tyrone Snell, a former racer and long-time supporter of the United Downs Raceway, St Day.
Tyrone's association with short oval racing centred on his many seasons racing Hot Rods, notably when he switched from a MkII Ford Escort to using the ex-Dick Hillard Peugeot 205. The car was swiftly revamped into Tyrone's trademark green colour scheme, and was always immaculately presented. Indeed, tip-top presentation was a feature of anything and everything that Tyrone was involved in.
Although Hot Rods were to drift from the fixtures with Autospeed after 2008, Tyrone remained firmly involved with the promotion, continuing to sponsor races via his business Tyrone Snell Trailers at Longdowns in west Cornwall, and regularly involving himself in improvement works, especially at the United Downs Raceway, St Day. The projects at St Day where Tyrone brought his wide array of skills working with metal, wood and masonry are many, ranging from the secondary safety gates in pit lane, the framework to house infield advertising boards, the water bowser trailer which is used for pressure washing, and the turnstile block (see below) which is now into its second decade of existence.
Furthermore, the Snell Family Trophy was created ahead of the 2007 season, as a stunning piece of auto-sculpture to be raced for annually by the BriSCA F2 Stock Cars. The trophy was assembled from a selection of components regularly used on BriSCA F2 Stock Cars, is an unmistakable and instantly recognisable prize. Tyrone is pictured with Liam Rowe in 2013, after Liam became the first driver to win the trophy twice.
In recent years, Tyrone's health has deteriorated, and to his great frustration that hindered the level of his practical contributions to work projects. Tyrone regularly bemoaned not being able to help as much as he would have liked, but his contribution to Autospeed, and particularly to the United Downs Raceway which meant so much to him, has been outstanding.
Tyrone will never be forgotten and the thoughts of Autospeed and the wider racing community are with his family and friends.