VALE: JOHN ‘BUZZ’ BUZAGLO
One of the Australian characters of UK motorsport in the late 1960s and early ’70s, John “Buzz” Buzaglo has passed away in Melbourne, aged 83, after a short illness.
Buzz was one of a number of young Australians who were part of the British motorsport scene back then, excelling in both Formula Ford and moving into Formula 3, while part of the Colonial ‘gang’ living in and around London.
Bizarrely, his introduction to motorsport – having travelled to the UK to ’see the world’ – was as an extra during the making of the 1966 movie ‘Grand Prix,’ which was literally filmed around and during various Grands Prix that year. It enabled him to meet and get to know a number of drivers – who would be useful contacts along the way.
John ‘Buzz’ Buzaglo. Image:Primotipo.com.au
Buzaglo always struggled for the money to go racing, and like many at the time worked in various jobs to fund his racing – one particularly interesting gig being that of bouncer at the (in)famous Revolution Club, in London, the haunt for several of the motorsport crowd, including Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt, Frank Williams, Mike Hailwood and many others …
Buzaglo in the Elden Formula Ford, Brands Hatch, 1972. Image: primotipo.com
However, in 1969, after learning the ropes in karting, he debuted in a Merlyn MkII Formula Ford, and the following year saw a mix of promise and budget-sapping crashes, before a switch to a Palliser car, then an Elden Formula Ford produced results in ’72. All-up, Buzz took 14 Formula Ford wins and set four lap records along the way.
John “Buzz” Buzaglo. Image: Primotipo.com.au
A six-race opportunity in F3 came in 1973, making enough of a mark to earn a spot in a two-car Ippokampos team for 1974. A bad choice of engine supplier by the team hampered its results and it ceased operating mid-season. Buzaglo’s motorsport career quietly came to a close.
Buzz Buzaglo with former McLaren team member Jo Ramirez during an Australian GP visit. Image: primotipo.com
He returned to Melbourne, residing in Albert Park, with a post-racing career in the motor industry.
AA’s thoughts are with Buzz’s family and friends.
Images: John ‘Buzz’ Buzaglo collection and Primotipo.com.au
READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION DIGITAL HERE
Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.
Podcast: Supercars from Perth, F1 from Imola and Scotty Mac fast in Indy
It was a big motorsport weekend, that’s for sure. Ford broke its duck with a pair of wins in Perth, one each for Chaz Mostert and Cam Waters, and we do a deep dive into what happened.
Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here
