Derek Bell MBE, the five-time Le Mans winner, will return to the iconic French circuit in June 2014 to compete in the Group C support race held before the main Le Mans 24 Hours race.
Derek Bell will celebrate 50 years in motor racing in 2014, having won his first ever race at the Goodwood circuit driving a Lotus 7 in March 1964. What better way to celebrate his 50th Anniversary behind the racing wheel, than to return to the scene of his most famous wins by racing a Porsche 962 at Le Mans.
For his co-driver and the owner of the 962, Mark Sumpter, it is the realisation of a long-held ambition, “Derek is the most famous and successful Porsche racing driver, I’m delighted to be racing with him again, particularly at Le Mans. I grew up watching Derek win so many races and as a Porsche enthusiast and racer myself I feel honoured to be his team mate. Derek is legendary at Le Mans and I am sure it will be a really exciting race, I can’t wait.”
On his return to Le Mans, Bell commented, “It’s 50 years since I first started racing and combined with Mark Sumpter’s offer of racing his 962, in the year that sees Porsche return to the top tier, made racing at Le Mans again irresistible. I am still a racer at heart!”
“Knowing Mark, his 962 is always very well prepared, so I would like to think we have a realistic chance of winning our class or even making the podium, for me that would be a very emotional experience,” continued Bell.
The 60-minute qualifying session for the Group C Historic race at Le Mans will take place on the afternoon of Thursday 12th June 2014. The 10 lap / 45 minute Group C Historic race, with a 2-minute compulsory pit-stop at the end of lap 5, takes place on the morning of Saturday 14th June 2014.
[Source: Derek Bell]
