Derek Bell MBE

One of our latest competitions is for 1 of just 80 special bottles of Classic Racing Gin, signed by the motorsport legend that is Derek Bell MBE. If you haven’t heard about Derek before, this is why winning a signed bottle for just £1 is such an incredible opportunity.

To put it simply, Derek Bell MBE is one of Britain’s most successful endurance racing drivers of all time and is widely considered to be one of the most genuinely likeable people in motorsport.

Born in Pinner, Middlesex, in 1941, Derek’s successful racing career began at Goodwood in 1964, when he was victorious in a Lotus 7. He quickly worked his way through Formula 3 and Formula 2 before catching the eye of Enzo Ferrari. Between 1968 and 1974, Derek competed in 16 Formula 1 Grand Prixs for Ferrari, McLaren, Tecno, and Surtees.

Derek went on to be a hugely successful endurance racer. He’s a five-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1975, 1981, 1982, 1986, and 1987), and a three-time winner at the 24 Hours of Daytona (1986, 1987, and 1989).

During his racing partnership with Belgian driver Jacky Ickx, the pair drove some of the most recognisable Porsche race cars ever made, the 936, 956, and 962.

In 1995, Derek got to race at Le Mans alongside his son, Justin, in a McLaren F1 GTR. The pair finished on the podium. That must have been an incredible feeling to achieve something like that alongside his son.

As well as his racing success, Derek was given an MBE in 1986 for services to motorsport. He’s since been inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the Le Mans Drivers Hall of Fame.