A short time ago, news started to circulate on social media sites about the passing of Tom Hnatiw. This has since been confirmed on the Internal Combustion Group website.
“It is with deep sadness today that the family of Tom Hnatiw reports his passing. Tom was the Founder and President of Internal Combustion Group.
With a thirty year career in motor sports, Tom produced or was involved in the production of over 500 shows relating to autos, especially auto racing. One of the most recognizable voices in motorsport, Tom is best known for his involvement in the shows, Hard Drive, Sports Car Revolution, Dream Car Garage and Car Guys.
Tom was one of the best-known live racing announcers and a frequent automotive contributor to an array of magazines and newspapers.
Internal Combustion Group is a Canadian based company dedicated to the production of the very best in automotive television.”
On occasion, Tom contributed columns to Inside Track. In addition to being successful in the motorsports and automotive business, he was also an outgoing and friendly person who made an impression on everyone he met.
“The first time I met Tom was in 1991 at Mt. Tremblant,” said Inside Track editor Greg MacPherson. “I was tagging along with John Hopkins during one of my first ‘working’ outings to a racetrack. From the first time I met Tom, he treated me like I was a friend. He was like that with everyone. He was with the Firehawk Series at the time and I remember watching this larger-than-life character laughing and holding court at a restaurant in Saint-Sauveur. He was the same every time I saw him through the next 20+ years. This past February, I ran into him in a little hole-in-the-wall bar in Baysville (ON). Tom was having a great time with some friends and it took me back to the first time I met him. Tom Hnatiw enjoyed his life like everyone should.”
Inside Track offers its condolences to the family and friends of Tom Hnatiw.
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