Vale Don Elliott
Tasmanian motorsport identity Don Elliott died on July 23, 2025 after a short illness.
Elliott has been a key part of motor racing in Tasmania since the mid-1950s and remained involved seven decades later.
His first taste of racing was not even in a car, competing in speedboat races as a 16-year-old, but soon turned his attention to cars and broke numerous state records in 1954 behind the wheel of a Jaguar SS100.
Don Elliott in his own Repco-Holden seen here at Quorn Hall Tasmania-circa 1958 -Elliott Archive
He built the Repco-Holden monoposto and enjoyed success with it in hillclimbs, and racing, competing in other cars in both Tasmania and on the mainland before he hung up the helmet in 1964.
Don Elliott was a major part of Tony Edmondson’s Sports Sedans success in the Alfa Romeo. Image: Auto Action Archives
However, this was just the start, his next chapter was as a team owner.
He had success with cars raced by Robin Pare and others, while Tony Edmondson won back-to-back Australian Sports Sedan Championships in 1980-81 in the K &A Engineering built Alfa Romeo Alfetta Repco-Holden and Alfetta Chev.
Elliott purchased Elfin Sports Cars in 1983, maintaining and expanding the business under Tony Edmondson’s leadership/management in Edwardstown, South Australia. In the Elliott era, Elfin built Formula Vee, Formula Ford, Australian National F2 and Formula Holden cars.
Don Elliott took over and rescued Elfin Sports Cars and continued to manufacture many new Elfin race cars
Elliott protégé Mark McLaughlin was second in the Australian F2 Championship in 1986-87.
Ever since he has remained a big part of the Historic Racing Car Club.
Auto Action sends its condolences to Elliott’s family and friends.
Image: Historic Racing Car Club of Tasmania
Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE
Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE
Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here.
