The Guild is saddened to learn of the death of retired member Tony Dron, who passed away yesterday (16 November).

Tony qualified at the College of Aeronautical & Automobile Engineering, Chelsea, and as well as being an exceptional writer, winning The Guild’s Sir William Lyons Award in 1968, he was also racing driver from 1968-2011, competing professionally from 1974-79. 

He was a works driver in a Triumph Dolomite Sprint in the BTCC in the 1970s, raced a Dolomite-engined Unipart March F3 in 1976 and won his class in a Porsche at Le Mans in 1982. He won the Sussex Trophy at the Goodwood Revival for three consecutive years, and his career race wins are thought to number in the hundreds. Tony also spent time as a car salesman in the early 1980s, for Saab, then Porsche.

He was editor of Thoroughbred and Classic Cars from 1983-92, and an author of several books. More recently he was a freelance writer for the Daily Telegraph and Octane before retiring in 2017.

The Guild sends its deepest sympathy to Tony’s family and friends, and will publish a full tribute in due course.


A message from Tony Dron's family

Tony Dron died last night (Tuesday, November 16) aged 75 from medical complications relating to his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Tony was more than an excellent racing driver, author and motoring journalist, he was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and it’s impossible to express how much he will be missed by us all.

We thank everybody for their messages of condolence – they are greatly appreciated. Due to the large number of them we have created a page at remembr.com/tony.dron and ask that memories of Tony are posted there while we make the necessary arrangements for the funeral. 

We will also be looking into the possibility of a memorial service and will share details of that should it come to fruition.

QR code for Tony Dron’s memorial page at Remembr.com: