Away from the start at Le Mans in 1994, Derek Bell takes the Gulf-sponsored Kremer Porsche Spyder he shared with Donovan and Jürgen Lassig into the lead. Because Bell had been Donovan’s boyhood hero and friend, racing with him at the 24 Hours remains a memory Robin still cherishes.
Photo: Robin Donovan Collection
The name Robin Donovan may not mean much to most, but this man has quietly gone about his business and played a significant part in Le Mans history. He raced there for 14 consecutive years. From his point of view it is a “dream come true” story of a little boy who listened intently to a local hero, Derek Bell, talk about Formula Three racing in the 1960s. Further input from the film Grand Prix and this little lad was hooked on motor racing. In 1994, the dream became reality, Robin shared a drive at Le Mans with his local hero in a Porsche and brought the iconic Gulf brand back to La Sarthe as a sponsor. VR’s Mike Jiggle spent a morning with Robin to find out more.
Your early family life centred in the vicinity of Chichester, England, not too far from the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit. So, as a boy, motor racing was in the air around you, if not at that stage in your blood?
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