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'Hurley' film tackles homophobia, mental health at St. Augustine Film Festival

Haywood said the film was three years in the making and required a lot of sensitivity, especially when discussing one of the most heartbreaking tragedies he had ever experienced.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The documentary "Hurley" tells the story of America's most decorated race car driver and St. Augustine resident , Hurley Haywood, and details his experience as a gay man competing in the macho world of 1970s motor sports.

First Coast News spoke with Haywood before the film's screening at the St. Augustine Film Festival on Saturday.

RELATED: 10 must-see films at the St. Augustine Film Festival

Haywood said the film was three years in the making and required a lot of sensitivity, especially when discussing one of the most heartbreaking tragedies he had ever experienced.

"My racing partner, Peter Gregg, committed suicide," Haywood said. "He was like a brother to me."

Gregg had a reputation as one of America's most successful road racers and owned Brumos, a Jacksonville-based car dealership and racing team.

His death in December 1980 came as a total shock to Haywood.

"I had to face the fact that the guy that gave me the equipment to succeed was no longer here," Haywood recalled. 

Haywood hopes the film will spark more discussions about mental health and will encourage people to do their own research into the signs of depression -- signs Haywood said he missed.

Haywood said Gregg had just married his wife, Deborah Mars, and seemed optimistic about the future.

"We went to Ponte Vedra and talked about the history of where we've been and what the future holds," Haywood said. "The next day, he went out, bought a gun and shot himself."

Gregg's death was not the last time Haywood was confronted by mental health.

Ten years ago, a high school student reached out to Haywood for an interview. In the middle of the interview, Haywood said the student broke down into tears.

"He just says ... 'I'm gay. I've been bullied my entire life. I wake up every morning wanting to commit suicide,'" Haywood remembered.

His advice for the student was simple, "It's not what you are, it's who you are. That's what people remember."

The two would never cross paths again, but years later Haywood had a chance encounter with the student's mother.

She told Haywood, "You don't know me, but when you granted my son that interview ...  you saved his life."

Haywood's advice to her son carries over into the film. While some people may have had issues with his sexuality, Haywood said they couldn't deny he was an incredible racer.

"I accomplished a lot in the '60s, '70s and '80s, and being gay was not very well liked at that time," Haywood said. "I hope that the film will make people say, 'I can overcome any obstacle that comes in my way. I just have to put my mind to it.'"

The film will be screened at 2:15 p.m. at the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College. For more information on the film and the St. Augustine Film Festival, click here.

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