IMSA/WEC News: RRDC Honors Derek Bell in Long Beach
The Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC) paid tribute to motorsport legend and Hall of Famer Derek Bell MBE at a gala dinner on Thursday evening at the Westin Hotel in Long Beach, California — just ahead of the 51st Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Bell’s racing career stands as one of the most successful, diverse, and wide-ranging of any British driver in history. A capacity crowd of racing luminaries from INDYCAR, IMSA, NHRA, and beyond gathered for the Firestone-presented event. Among the notable attendees were champions such as Mario Andretti, Indy 500 winners Tony Kanaan and Arie Luyendyk, and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown.
Best known as one of endurance racing’s greatest talents, Bell claimed victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times, the 24 Hours of Daytona three times, and the World Sports Car Championship twice.
The evening’s host was Bell’s son, Justin Bell, who served as master of ceremonies and joined RRDC President Bobby Rahal (pictured above with Bell) for an intimate leather-chair interview on stage. The conversation overflowed with memories from Derek’s storied career with Ferrari, Porsche, and other iconic marques — including his five Le Mans wins and the deeply emotional 1995 podium finish at Le Mans, where he shared the McLaren F1 GTR with his son Justin.
“Derek’s career demonstrated remarkable longevity,” said Rahal. “He competed in major endurance races from the late 1960s through the mid-1990s, even sharing the cockpit at Le Mans with his son Justin and finishing on the podium in a McLaren F1 GTR in 1995. By the time he stepped away from top-level competition, Derek Bell had accumulated more than 50 race victories and a reputation as one of the finest and most respected drivers of his era.”
Accepting the honor, Derek Bell reflected warmly: “This is a great honor. America is so big to me in my life — I’m married to an American. To get an award for all the racing and the pleasure that I got out of it, I hope it gives some other people pleasure as well. What has been created over all these years — and I’ve been part of it — is making sports cars such a big class of racing. No thanks to me, particularly, but to all of us who are in it. I just have so much grace for people like Al Holbert, who had me on board, and Bob Akin, and people like that.”
Justin Bell added with visible pride: “Isn’t it fun to be honored for being part of honoring your dad? And what an opportunity. In the history of the RRDC, it’s probably a first to be able to do that. I’m so proud of him and what he’s achieved. Two things: I am proud to host this gala and then proud to honor him. So very special.”
Other Bell family members in attendance included Justin’s daughter, Tallulah, and Justin’s partner, Mailani DeYoung.
The evening also included a heartfelt tribute to Jim Michaelian, longtime President and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, who passed away just weeks before the gala after more than five decades of dedicated service. Video tributes from Bobby Rahal, Mario Andretti, and Roger Penske were shown, while motorsports journalist Marshall Pruett spoke movingly from the podium.“You often think about someone’s achievements as ‘they won this, have these many trophies, been crowned champion so many times,’” said Pruett. “None of those things apply when we speak about Jim. Not that he didn’t have success as a driver. This is a man who ran a motor race — yet was a champion to us. A champion of a person.”
Family members, including Michaelian’s wife Mary, sons Bob and Michael, and brother-in-law Frank Thompson, were acknowledged in the audience.
A portion of the proceeds of the dinner benefit The Mark Donohue Foundation, which supports the RRDC’s SAFEisFAST initiative. Funds were raised through ticket sales, sponsorships, and silent auctions, with a prized win being the unique 10 ft. x 20 ft. Derek Bell’s stage backdrop. It pays tribute to his five 24 Hours of Le Mans victories, depicting (left to right) the Gulf Mirage G8R in 1975, the Jules Porsche 936 in 1981, the Rothmans Porsche 956 in 1982, and the Rothmans Porsche 962 in 1986 and 1987.
In previous years, the RRDC has honored individual icons of the sport: Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Roger Penske, Jim Hall, Brian Redman, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, George Follmer, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Johnny Rutherford. David Hobbs, Rick Mears, Jacky Ickx, and Sir Jackie Stewart. In 2026, the RRDC helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Grand Prix of Long Beach with drivers Brian Redman, Al Unser Jr., and Mario Andretti. These RRDC galas are acknowledged as highlights of the auto-racing social calendar, drawing fans and luminaries from all forms of motorsports.
The RRDC thanks its sponsors and supporters of the gala, which include reception sponsors SEMA/PRI and Yamaava’ Resort & Casino; Platinum Sponsor – Club Wheelhouse; Silver Sponsor – The Micheal Bealmear Family; and supporting partners – Bobby Rahal Automotive Group, Omologato Watches, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, Bring A Trailer and Slot Mods.