Tony started his racing career in the Spedeworth Bangers in the early seventies and after a very brief spell in the Stockcars he moved into Superstox. At the time the Superstox were about big money and when Spedeworth introduced the Super rods, the idea of winning on driver ability rather than size of wallet appealed to Tony, and after another brief spell, this time in a Stock rod, Tony decided to give the big Rods a go. Tony settled into the Super rods for about 3 years and along with his Weaton's sponsorship he became a star driver for most of that time.
But the appeal of the Superstox was still there and in 1983 Spedeworth made a significant rule change which made the pinto engine compulsory. The change came into effect at the 1983 spedeweekend and Tony decided it was time to return at that meeting. The National championship was up for grabs and Tony won it, making sure his name was to be embedded into Superstox racing history.
Tony continued with Superstox picking up some of the smaller championships plus another National win along the way. A move to the much closer Arena Essex PRI promotion saw Tony racing against the likes of Glen Salmon, Mo and Nick Smith and Tony Hurdle to mention a few, and Tony still kept his name known at spedeworth competing in (and being amongst the favourites at) all the major championships plus most of the Wimbledon meetings.
In 1996 PRI decided to switch to Brisca racing and Tony returned to Spedeworth and was set to embark on his best time yet. English, East Anglian and Best in Britain Championships went his way in 96, and a cruel mechanical failure saw him depart from the World Championship when leading with only a couple of laps left. However Tony was not a man to give in and was back fighting in 97 when he took the European Championship and then dominated the World final to take his best win, a win that no other driver could have said was not deserved. In the same year Tony's son Chris (already an established star himself) took the Best in Britain title to keep it in the family. Chris still carries on with the Roots racing name in Brisca F2's today.
Tony raced for a bit more in Superstox and then turned his attentions to becoming something of a pioneer of the European Late Model series run at Warneton International Speedway in Belgium, with his Roots V8 Racing company offering anyone the chance of a racing experience in these Nascar style cars.
Tony will be remembered around the tracks as a hard driver, even against friends and family such as son Chris, Geoff Bridges, Nick Smith etc. But off the track Tony always seemed to conduct himself as a true sportsman, never involved in petty arguments or pushing rules too far and always seemed happy to help anyone who needed it.
Once more we must think to ourselves we have lost one of the good guys.
Our thoughts go out to Tony's family and friends at this difficult time.
"Our thoughts are with the Roots family at this sad time. We have lost a true gent from the oval racing world who loved his racing. A driver that would do absolutely anything to help you.
RIP Tony Roots #77"
Colin Aylward
"After many years racing with Tony i found him to be a true old school racer, used the bumper when needed and always offered a helping hand, sadly one of those people that shouldnt have been taken away"
Shaun Brooker
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