Another day, another bolt for an airport. It never ceases to amaze me how my diary seems to fill up without me noticing. As I write, I have been home for all of two hours after the better part of six weeks dashing between events. It has been a battle trying to remember what continent I am on, but I am not complaining. Far from it. I have been having a wonderful time. I mentioned last month that I was kindly invited to be the guest of honour at the Ferrari Owners Club of America ‘do’ in the Pacific Northwest. Well, from there it was back to Blighty for the Goodwood Revival Meeting, where I surprised myself by actually racing.
The Museum of the 24 Hours of Le Mans asked me if I would like to drive the Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Sport that finished third in the great race in 1925. The older I get, the more I enjoy driving pre-war fare so I thought it sounded like it might be fun. As it transpired, I was tasked with what you might euphemistically describe as ‘conserving’ the car in the Rudge-Whitworth Cup rather than actively racing it.
To be honest, that was about all I could do because the gearlever became wedged under my right knee, so I drove everywhere in top gear, which wasn’t ideal. Even so, I appreciate that it was an honour to be asked to venture out in something that is the better part of a century old.
I couldn’t believe the weather, either. West Sussex seemed akin to Death Valley. Heavens above, it was hot to the point that rocking the tweed really wasn’t an option, although a downpour did enliven the racing a bit more than some would have liked. Again, it was testament to the Duke of Richmond and his team that the event was such a resounding success. You always wonder how they will top each running. I have mused on that ever since the first one was staged 25 years ago, but somehow they always do. I have been going to that circuit ever since I was a teenage marshal. I made my race debut there 59 years ago in a Lotus Seven, and it will remain my ‘local track’ until the end of time.
From there, I then took part in the Veloce 2023 charity event at Bicester Heritage alongside the likes of Damon Hill, and then it was off to Portugal for the start of The Derek Bell Tour, which ended in Madrid. It was a fantastic event, and a real treat
