Hazel Chapman

[chrisb]

it is with sadness that I understand the lady behind Lotus has sadly passed away at the incredible age of 94, for me had not Hazel believed in Colin there wouldn't have been a Lotus car company, and there are a legion of stories of just how fast a driver Hazel was, the police apparently in London were aware of her and gave her shall we say leeway, they must have been relieved when they moved to Norwich.


I saw her at Snetterton a few years ago celebrating Team Lotus with all the racing cars on the grid, it was an amazing sight and one I actually do have the teeshirt from.

there are a legion of stories about this amazing lady and how respected she was, even by the current owners of Lotus cars, who would show Hazel a new model before the press, such respect was due and earned the hard way. 


Rest in peace Hazel 

[René]

I never realized the importance of Hazel's role in the Lotus history. After reading a few articles about her, I agree that Lotus would not have been what it is today without her.

_

To stand up for all the brave and smart women in the world:

The role of women has been overshadowed by men on too many occasions. And I am not only talking about women who supported their men. I am talking about woman who had a leading role in science, politics, medicine and more.

To give an example; think about Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician, she was involved in early space missions for the NASA space agency. She also made calculations for the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, when Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon. Who knows her name...

And there are many, many more who never reached the fame and success of their male counterparts.

RIP Hazel

[robmarsh]

Very well said Rene.

[charleselan]

Hazel was a remarkable lady and most certainly Lotus would not have been if it hadn't have been for her. Also she must have been an incredibly strong personality to have lived with "Chunky" for so long, he wasn't easy of that I am sure.

94 years is a great age, and that was one great life lived.

Rest in peace Hazel Chapman, you were a true legend.