Comments on: Derek Bell at Daytona

By: keith clark

keith clark — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:25:20 +0000

I REMEMBER DEREK BELL IN THE 1960 AS A SMALL BOY I USED TO SIT IN HIS RACING CAR IN THE GARAGE IN CHURCH FARM CARAVAN SITE I HAVE WATCHED DEREK FOR OVER 45 YRS RACING SO MANY MEMORIES AND EXCITING TIMES GOOD LUCK TO HIM AND HIS SON I HOPE YOU BOTH CARRY ON AND ON FOR EVER

By: rick

rick — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:10:09 +0000

Derek helped make the IMSA Camel GT series a great one.

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:12:25 +0000

Hi Rob,
Thanks for a great article. Derek was always my favourite driver. I remember going to an IMSA race at the Tampa Fairgrounds when I saw his familiar helmet in the MOMO 962 Porsche; I knew I had to track him down. I found him in the paddock reminiscing about the old days with his crew. When he finished, I walked up to him and started talking. I asked him if it was the same car that had the tyre problem, which resulted in the Daytona shunt mentioned in your article. He nodded and said that Porsche repaired the car. I looked at him and told him he scared the hell out of his fans. He looked at me, arched an eyebrow and said, "You should have been in the car."

By: Rich Ambroson

Rich Ambroson — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:05:24 +0000

Hi Rob,

Derek Bell is indeed one of the ‘good blokes’ in my experience. When I used to get to the IMSA races at Del Mar and Laguna Seca years ago, I remember he was always one of the drivers who was especially good with the fans. I always enjoy seeing him interviewed on TV as well.

Thanks again for the great article! (and while I love print, I’m glad this site is now set up as it is, and we are able to appreciate great articles like this one that didn’t quite make it into the hallowed pages of the printed version).

Cheers,
Rich

By: Rob Widdows

Rob Widdows — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:18:54 +0000

Dear Rich
Glad you enjoyed the piece about Derek Bell. He’s always a good subject – one of the really ‘good blokes’ of motor racing and a fine driver.
He will, no doubt, feature in future editions of the magazine!
Yes, God bless print. Agreed.
RW

By: Rich Ambroson

Rich Ambroson — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:38:49 +0000

Thanks so much for posting this to your website, and not leaving it “on the cutting room floor”, so to speak. I well understand how it had lost its original relevance as planned for the print publication (God Bless print, it shall never go away!), but am thankful we were able to read this story on one of the greats. Especially love reading his comments on the chicanery at Mulsanne.

Cheers,
Rich Ambroson