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28 May 2020, 17:03 (Ref:3978964) | #1 | ||
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Mike's Escort @ Brands.jpg
There are lots of people who knew Mike and do not post on tenths or do face Book. I have been getting lots of lovely messages. here is a picture from Rick Bourne of Mike at Brands Hatch. Mikes sister Mary has joined Ten Tenths and is overwhelmed with all the kind words and photos. |
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28 May 2020, 17:36 (Ref:3978971) | #2 | |||
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When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
28 May 2020, 17:59 (Ref:3978976) | #3 | |
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I’ve been messaging Claire Smith who was in the process of organising a tribute race for John Smith & we have discussed a joint tribute to Mike & John at Snetterton. Mike’s sister Mary thinks it’s a great idea & would like to be involved, so keep em peeled!
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28 May 2020, 20:56 (Ref:3979025) | #4 | ||
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The Bell Smith 6 hour memorial race?
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Born in the Midlands, made in the Royal Navy |
28 May 2020, 21:20 (Ref:3979027) | #5 | ||
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Watch this space... more to come.
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Martin Smith Clerk of the Course, 3 times Race of Remembrance class Winner Organising Committee and regs writer of ROR, Chair and owner of 360 Motor Racing Club |
28 May 2020, 18:24 (Ref:3978981) | #6 | |
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28 May 2020, 19:47 (Ref:3979009) | #7 | |||
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Pictures can be downloaded, so people should be aware, and add watermark if necessary. I will post an email account shortly for contributions. Cheers, Bob. |
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When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
30 May 2020, 09:36 (Ref:3979283) | #8 | ||
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I have looked for pictures of Mike in my files and found a few, they are all by myself or Peter Olley. I am happy to add any other images too the album if anyone wants to send them to; rbma@hotmail.com.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9UfcNvysPnGDVTP8A |
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When asking; "Is he joking?" Best assume yes! |
30 May 2020, 11:17 (Ref:3979290) | #9 | |||
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Incognito: An Italian phrase meaning Nice Gearchange! |
30 May 2020, 11:42 (Ref:3979295) | #10 | ||
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Don't think I ever formally met Mike, but he was clearly well loved by those who knew him best. I guess you can't ask for more than that... RIP Mike.
The pictures below were the closest I got I think - taken at the Mallory Special Saloons & Modsports Revival meeting in 2011 - I was entered in one of the other races in the TR7 V8, which gave me time to get out and do some spectating with the camera. Normally I don't take many photos at these club meetings, but this was a special occasion with the re-launch of this iconic series. |
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"Light travels faster than sound - that's why, at first, some people appear bright... until you hear them speak!" |
1 Jun 2020, 08:30 (Ref:3979568) | #11 | ||
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Hopefully, you will know that I have posted my pictures of Mike on a Google album, for all to share, Cliff is also adding his pictures to the album, and I wondered if I might ad the images that have been posted here.
If nobody objects I will download the pics and add them to the Mike Bell Tribute Album, I have started. Please let me know if I may add your pictures. as I will only do so if permission is given. Cliff has sent the link to Mike's sister, and friends, so they will also be able to share our memories of him. Baub. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9UfcNvysPnGDVTP8A |
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1 Jun 2020, 08:46 (Ref:3979571) | #12 | ||
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Bauble...of course!
And another to add.....it was blooming cold, so is a rare photo of Mike not wearing shorts! 3228E535-F144-411F-90E5-F4FB56867E74.jpeg |
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Will Stephens 60s endurance 1965 356sc #49 Mag 7's #60 |
1 Jun 2020, 20:48 (Ref:3979703) | #13 | |||
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Gary Clarke |
2 Jun 2020, 00:12 (Ref:3979711) | #14 | |||
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Balls of steel (knob of butter) They're Asking For Larkins. ( Proper beer) not you're Eurofizz crap. Hace más calor en España. Me han conocido a hablar un montón cojones! Send any cheques and cash to PO box 1 Lagos Nigeria Africa ! |
30 May 2020, 22:06 (Ref:3979366) | #15 | ||
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I’ve shared the link with Mike’s sister Mary & his close friends James & Suzanne 👍 |
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31 May 2020, 17:02 (Ref:3979492) | #16 | ||
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I first met up, with Mike at Silverstone Classic, many years ago. I can remember his first words to me " I love the way you miss spell everything on Tenths ".I looked back at him in a puzzled way.
These past few days I have been thinking of him non stop and have searched my brain hard to find out how on earth we became such good friends. We really were the odd couple but with one passion and that is Historic Motor Sport. Even then our lives and past could not be further apart but I have made many many good friends here on Tenths and my life has been much the better for getting to know fellow posters. I think it must of been the very first race meeting at Portimao we went down in convoy ,Mike was in his old 7.5 ton truck then so I could keep up with him then.We camped down in Lagos on the beech,went on bike rides,nice dinners and had a lovely couple of days before heading to the track.After Portimao we seemed to meet up at most circuits and get out together on the bikes and go for pizza's.At this time neither of us had raced in the Spa 6 hour race so after a few discussions Gilbert was entered into Snetterton 3 hour as a shake down for us both.In the mean time Mike had a go in one of my Delta FF2000 at Mallory and loved it so much he bought a Delta from Nicholas Pearce. Snett did not go well with engine electric problems so after some moaning from me, Mike agreed to let us build the engine and gearbox ready for Spa. We then had three very good runs in the 6 hour,the last time we finished P36 and did run as high as P25 in my middle long stint .Mike was chuffed that we got a mention in one of the Motor Sport mags and the Gilbern owners club were always contacting him for updates and reports.The best thing we both had was neither of us had any ego as to who was quickest we both wanted to finish the race.As it turned out there was nothing between us in lap times no matter the conditions be it rain or sunshine.He was just the best team mate. While all this was going on I was building up the MK1 RS2000, Mikes knowledge and help was amazing and building this car would of taken me an awful lot longer. The plan was for us both to tackle the Nordschiefe in the RS but this dream will have to wait. These past few years we had drifted apart as my racing and his took us to different circuits and his race support and transport team grew and he became very busy. Also driving the Morgan SLR and other cars that were offered to him to race. We did meet up at Paul Ricard at the end of the year " his 70th birthday "and I have this lasting memory of Mike flapping his arms and storming into the pit at the last race of 2019 in Portimao as the Co driver had come in a lap early to change driver and Mike was not ready. He had started to mention pains in his side but like most of us old blokes we shrug it off and get on with life.Just before Christmas he told me it was cancer of the kidney and even then I thought "that's alright just have it out". My wife is running fine on one kidney and still smoking 30 fags a day. Nothing seemed to happen very fast, there was one scan after another and then the cancer spread very quick into his stomach. At this time I and others had hoped for a miracle but knew things were not looking very good. We talked and tx every other day and I managed to get up to Snetterton to see him a couple of times and he was always in good spirits but also in a lot of pain,We even talked about another Spa 6 hour run. Just recently while he was in Hospital and the Hospice I would send pictures every day of the birds and wild life on my bike ride to work. I would feel guilty as I knew how he would of loved to of been outside with this lovely weather we are having. I have had a camera outside the blue tit box at work and I would send pictures over to Mike . Last week the chics finally flew out of the box but Mike had moved on and would never get to see them. Last Thursday as I was getting the Brabham ready for Brands testing on Friday and one of the chicks was inside the workshop chattering away making a right old racket. I looked up way into the roof and caught glimpse. This little thing went quiet then flew out of the door. Hmmmmm I wonder . RIP Mike the race track and paddock's will be empty without you. . Last edited by delta; 31 May 2020 at 17:09. |
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31 May 2020, 18:01 (Ref:3979505) | #17 | ||
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Mike will be surprised iain, not a spelling mistake to be found, he will be chuckling up there.
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31 May 2020, 21:18 (Ref:3979530) | #18 | ||
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They are mainly the ones already on this thread, so no problem, I just thought you should know. |
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3 Jun 2020, 16:01 (Ref:3980008) | #19 | |||
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3 Jun 2020, 16:31 (Ref:3980011) | #20 | |||
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I can name James Patterson, and Suzanne Sears, Grant, Alfaholic, Malcolm, Delta, MGDavid, Cliff, Peter Mallet, and some whose names eludes at present, but I think everyone gets a mention somewhere here. I'll bet that Mike is feeling a little embarrassed himself at all of he adulation, where ever he is now. |
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3 Jun 2020, 17:15 (Ref:3980023) | #21 | ||
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Brilliant pictures. Thanks to all who contributed photos and Bob for collating it all.
A great tribute album. |
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28 May 2020, 22:01 (Ref:3979034) | #22 | ||
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Understood, Claire. Thanks.
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Born in the Midlands, made in the Royal Navy |
28 May 2020, 23:22 (Ref:3979043) | #23 | ||
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An incredible kind and humble person who would always every Peter Auto meeting would send some pics of the various cars he happened to take pictures off for me and everyone else. A small thing but shows the person he was and taking the time too.
RIP Mike, we will race again with you in our thoughts. |
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29 May 2020, 11:16 (Ref:3979121) | #24 | ||
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A1F01F1C-A6FE-4396-96A5-C79352DCF829.jpeg
In happier times. |
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Will Stephens 60s endurance 1965 356sc #49 Mag 7's #60 |
29 May 2020, 21:09 (Ref:3979241) | #25 | |||
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Prefer to remember him like that... thanks for sharing |
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Martin Smith Clerk of the Course, 3 times Race of Remembrance class Winner Organising Committee and regs writer of ROR, Chair and owner of 360 Motor Racing Club |
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