The memory of a motoring legend has been celebrated as a road is named in her honour.
Hazel Chapman, who established Lotus in 1948 with her husband Colin, was commemorated on Friday with the dedication of Hazel Chapman Way, which runs through the heart of the sports car brand's HQ in Hethel.
The event was attended by Hazel and Colin's grandchildren, as well as group vice president and managing director of Lotus Cars, Matt Windle.
It included the ceremonial unveiling of a road sign and the planting of a Maidenhair Tree, chosen as a particular favourite of Hazel’s.
This was followed by the planting of 10 trees in an area of land adjacent to the famous Hethel test track which, in time, will become a small woodland.
READ MORE: Garden party at Colin and Hazel Chapman, of Lotus Cars
Colin died in 1982, aged 54, but Hazel continued to play a central role in the firm. Mrs Chapman died in December 2021, aged 94.
"We are very grateful for this dedication of Hazel Chapman Way at the heart of the Hethel site," said Clive Chapman, director of Classic Team Lotus and son of Colin and Hazel Chapman.
OBITUARY: Lotus co-founder Hazel Chapman dies aged 94
"Our family is delighted to see how the Lotus legacy that Colin and Hazel Chapman started 75 years ago is also being nurtured and cared for by its shareholders.
"On behalf of all my family, we thank Lotus very much for this lovely honour being bestowed on Hazel today."
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Hazel Chapman Way runs alongside the all-new Lotus Retail Centre and staff restaurant, recently completed as part of the ongoing transformation of the Hethel site.
The road is flanked by a number of trees including maples, poplars, willows and cherries, which have been planted to follow the site’s horticultural and landscaping plan conceived nearly 60 years ago by Hazel.
"Lotus is indebted to Hazel Chapman and we are delighted to help celebrate her life and legacy in this small way," said Matt Windle.
"The Hethel site is such a wonderful place to work, surrounded by fields in the heart of south Norfolk. Today we’ve added to that natural landscape with the planting of new trees that will further enhance our environment."
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