Derek Bell

Derek Bell MBE is famed for his talents as a motorsport driver, having competed in everything from the Le Mans 24 Hours to Daytona 24 and World Sportscar Championships. Having also driven for esteemed teams Ferrari and McLaren, Derek has been inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, Motor Sport Hall of Fame UK and the Le Mans 24 Hours Driver Hall of Fame. With a motorsports career that spans over five decades, Derek is now booked as a speaker for corporate and public events to share stories from his successful and diverse racing career, considered to be the greatest British endurance racing driver of his era.

First racing in a Lotus Seven back in 1964, Derek won his first ever race at Goodwood Circuit. He then went on to race in Formula Three, a class in which he claimed a succession of wins and proved his prominence as a driver. Progressing onto Formula Two, Derek caught the eye of the esteemed Enzo Ferrari, who snatched Derek up and allowed him to make his Formula One debut in 1968, driving for Ferrari at Monza. Since then, Derek has claimed a plethora of endurance racing wins, including winning Le Mans 24 Hours five times, Daytona 24 three times and the World Sportscar Championships two times. In recognition of his motorsport achievements, Derek was appointed MBE for Services to Motorsport in 1986.

Having claimed the Le Mans 24 Hours win in 1975, 1981, 1982, 1986 and 1987, Derek claimed the title of the most successful British driver to date in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Throughout his racing career, Derek has navigated the wheel of everything from a Porsche 936 and a McLaren M9A to a Ferrari 512 and a Gulf Mirage GR8. Other wins include the 1973 Silverstone RAC Tourist Trophy, the Nürburgring 1000km and the Spa 1000km. After retiring from racing, Derek has acted as the Chairman of Spectre R42, a Consultant for Bentley Speed 8 and a Global Ambassador of Bentley and Porsche.

Highly commended throughout his racing career, Derek has been the recipient of many awards. In recognition of his 50 years in motorsports, Derek was awarded Honorary Life Membership to the AA. He has also claimed the BRDC Gold Star four times and the Guild of Motoring Writers Driver of the Year Award twice. He has also claimed the Royal Automobile Club Plaque d’Honneur and the 2017 Simeone Foundation Spirit of Competition Award. Outside of motorsport, Derek is a Patron of Hope for Tomorrow, the President of The Pagham Pram Race and an Ambassador of Fly Navy Heritage Trust.

With a decorated and diverse career in motorsport to his name, Derek is now a popular choice as an after-dinner or motorsports speaker to talk at corporate and public events. Described as one of the best endurance racing drivers of his era, Derek makes for an approachable, down to earth and fun speaker at events, always going above and beyond in his delivery. Sporting a global fan base, Derek is now available to hire for everything from car launches to racing events, whether that be to make a personal appearance or to deliver a speech on his illustrious racing career. When looking for a consummate motorsport speaker, don’t hesitate in booking famed endurance racer Derek Bell MBE.