Tony Morris

17 Jul Tony Morris

Tony Morris rounds the Westwood Hairpin in his ‘Heavy Chevy’ Camaro. – photo courtesy Ted Wilkinson Collection

Posted: July 17, 2016

The BC motorsports community lost one of its most familiar figures this past week when Tony Morris passed away. Originally from Scotland, Tony started work with the Dunlop Rubber Company, becoming manager of the Dunlop Racing Tyre Group and was heavily involved in all forms of motorsport, including Formula One. In the 1960’s, he emigrated to Vancouver, at first again working for Dunlop and then opening his legendary race tire supplier, Circuit Tire in Port Moody.

Tony Morris in 1967

Tony had brought his Janspeed-prepared Mini Cooper S with him from the U.K. and was soon successfully racing it at Westwood. He then moved to bigger machinery, the best known of which was his Trans Am ‘Heavy Chevy’ Camaro. He was still winning races in the Player’s / GM Motorsport Series in the late 1980’s.

Tony was always well known for his on-track skill but it was all of his other contributions through the years that made him so popular and well-respected. In the Westwood days, he took on various roles with the Sports Car Club of BC, including driver training and track management. Also, in later years, he served as the FIA track safety inspector for Western Canada.

Through his own automotive businesses, Tony introduced and trained many people in high performance driving. He was known for his very helpful instructional style and was always ready to help anyone who asked.

Tony was inducted into the Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Society in 2006. He will be greatly missed by everyone in BC motorsports.

A celebration of Tony’s life is planned for the fall. The VRCBC offers it condolences to his family and many friends.