Organizers of the 2013 Bahamas Speed Week named five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell as race patron.
British-born Bell was extremely successful in sports car racing. He not only won the Le Mans 24 Hour Endurance Race five times but also the Daytona 24 Hour Race three times and the World Sports Car Championship twice.
Derek also raced in Formula One for Ferrari, McLaren, Surtees and Tecno and has been described by fellow racer Hans-Joachim Stuck as one of the most liked drivers of his generation. He has been a staunch supporter of the revival since its inception. The 2013 installment of the revival his will be Bell’s third visit to Speed Week and his first in the capacity of patron.
“The past two years have seen an amazing variety of cars entered for Speed Week, some of them quite astonishing,” he said. “But no matter what cars they bring, the entrants all have one thing in common. They are all ‘hell bent’ on enjoying themselves and their cars. And what a place to do it! There are some fabulous cars and some familiar names on this year’s entry list. I can’t wait!”
Bell set unofficial Fastest Time of the Day in the Fort Charlotte Hillclimb last year in Peter Vlasov’s gorgeous Ferrari 550 Maranello and looks forward to competing and giving guest drives once again this December.
Source: Tourism Today
