"5-Times Le Mans 24 Hours Winner" Derek Bell Born - October 31, 1941

October 31, 1941
Derek Bell

(photo credit: Toni P1 via photopin cc)
Born in Pinner, Middlesex, England.
Derek was extremely successful in sportscar racing, best known for winning the Le Mans 24 hours five times, the Daytona 24 three times and the World Sportscar Championship twice. He also raced in Formula One for the Ferrari, Wheatcroft, McLaren, Surtees and Tecno teams. He has been described by fellow racer Hans-Joachim Stuck as one of the most liked drivers of his generation.

Bell took part in the 1970 filming of Le Mans starring Steve McQueen, and he and his family lived with the McQueen family during the filming, the two becoming friends.

His son, Justin Bell is also a racer. The two raced together in the 1991 24 Hours of Daytona, and the 1992 24 Hours of Le Mans. Bell was to race in the 2008 24 Hours of Daytona with Justin, however the car dropped out of the race early and Derek did not get to run in the race. Aside from winning at Le Mans five times, he claims his proudest moment was coming third with his son Justin racing the Harrods sponsored McLaren F1 GTR in the 1995 Le Mans on Fathers Day.

Bell returned to Le Mans to race a Porsche 962 for the first time in 20 years in the Group C race at Le Mans on 16 June 2012.

Bell was presented with Honorary Life membership of the AA in recognition of his 50 years in motorsport, commemorated by a plaque presented by Lord March at the Moving Motorshow during the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the presence of Chris Jansen, CEO of the AA, and Edmund King, the president of the AA.

Derek Bell was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2012 and the Le Mans 24 Hours Drivers Hall of Fame in 2013.