The Derek Bell Trophy – A Celebration of Power, Heritage, and Speed
Step into the golden era of motorsport with the Derek Bell Trophy — a spectacular series for thunderous Formula 5000 and agile Formula 2 single-seaters from 1967 to 1979, alongside invited later-period machines. This is the domain of high-powered racers equipped with wings, slick tyres, and raw attitude — a true homage to the fiercest decades of open-wheel competition. We take a look now at the recent action at Silverstone.
Mercer Clinches Pole as Pittard Leads Chevron 1-2-3 in Dramatic Derek Bell Trophy Weekend
Marc Mercer pushed his ex-Billy Gowdy F2-spec Ralt RT1 to the limit, securing pole position for the Derek Bell Trophy with a blistering 1m58.890s lap (109.28mph) on Saturday. Christian Pittard followed with a strong 2m00.712s in his ex-Team VDS/Teddy Pilette F5000 Chevron-Chevrolet B28, comfortably placing him second. Ben Stiles rounded out the top three in the ex-Ted Wentz Wella Lola T360B, recently campaigned in HSCC events by Steve Maxted. Calvin Bainbridge (Brabham BT35), John Murphy (F5000 Crosslé 15F), and Robin Lackford (ex-Dolly Indra GRD 272) completed the top six.
The race began with two green flag laps behind the safety car, but chaos erupted at the rolling start. Murphy launched an aggressive move down the inside at Copse, collided with Stiles’ front-right wheel, and was launched over the Lola’s nose into Bainbridge. The incident eliminated all three on the spot. Meanwhile, Pittard stormed into an early lead, trailed distantly by Lackford, as Mercer limped to the pits with a slipping clutch. The red flag was deployed for recovery efforts, and with Mercer’s Ralt retired, only 11 cars remained.
Among the reformed grid was Chris Porritt, who joined the fray after practice in his ex-Ray Mallock/Divina Galica F2 Chevron B40. The race was restarted for the full 20-minute duration, and Pittard wasted no time establishing dominance, eventually taking the win by a commanding 44.111 seconds over Porritt. Dave Sheppard secured third, completing a historic Chevron 1-2-3 during the marque’s 60th anniversary year.
Fuel miscalculations cost both Matthew Wurr (ex-Gethin/Holland F5000 McLaren M10B) and Lackford, who coasted out of contention late in the race. Richard Cooke (F3 March-Toyota 793) and Mike Coker (ex-Gus Hutchison F5000 Lola T300) finished fourth and fifth, the last on the lead lap. Pittard, who hit 162.8mph through TSL’s Hangar Straight speed trap and topped 145.8mph across the line, was left frustrated not to officially break the two-minute barrier. “I backed off when I saw 1:59.9 on my VBOX,” he admitted.
Sunday’s race mirrored the previous day’s outcome, with another dominant Chevron 1-2-3. Lackford and Cooke took fourth and fifth respectively, just ahead of ex-modified Morgan +8 specialist Matthew Wurr. Stiles courageously took the start but quickly retired due to lingering suspension and chassis damage from Saturday’s crash.
From the legendary Formula Atlantic to later Formula Three and Formula Ford 2000 entries, the series spans a glorious range of cars that defined a generation of racing. It’s a gathering of purebred machines, built and raced between January 1, 1967 and December 31, 1984, including:
Formula 1
Formula 5000
Formula 2
Formula Atlantic
Formula 3
Formula Ford 2000
Formula Super Vee (Water Cooled)
Later F2 models (1980–1984) may join by special invitation. All cars must retain their original period specification, upgraded only with modern safety enhancements. Regardless of era, every entry must run flat-bottomed and be accompanied by valid FIA papers or an HSCC Vehicle Identification Form.
Recent Developments
In 2024, the series was rebranded back to the Derek Bell Trophy, having previously run under the Aurora Trophy name. This change was made to honor Derek Bell’s legacy and to reinvigorate the series with a fresh impetus, including a competitor-friendly calendar and enhanced on-event hospitality. hscc.org.uk
The HSCC has also introduced the “HSCC Hub,” a new paddock centerpiece designed to foster camaraderie among drivers, teams, and families. This hospitality unit provides seating, refreshments, and a social space at all HSCC events, including those featuring the Derek Bell Trophy.
2025 Race Calendar
31 May – 1 June: Silverstone International Trophy (GP Circuit)
20 – 22 June: Zandvoort Historic Grand Prix
12 – 13 July: Brands Hatch Superprix (GP Circuit)
25 – 27 July: Oulton Park Gold Cup
22 – 24 August: Silverstone Festival (GP Circuit)
11 – 12 October: Silverstone Finals (National Circuit)
Class Breakdown
Class A – Formula Atlantic & 1600cc Formula 2 (1967–1971)
Class B – Formula Atlantic (1972–1979, non-ground effects)
Class C – 2000cc Formula 2 (1972–1979, non-ground effects)
Class D – Post-1967 F2/Atlantic spec cars without aerodynamic devices
Class E – Pre-1972 Formula 5000 monsters
Class F – Formula 5000 (1972–1977)
Class G – Invited F3, FF2000, Formula Super Vee (1974–1979)
Class H – Invited F3, Super Vee, Atlantic, FF2000 (1980–1984, flat-bottomed)
Class I – Wildcard entries by organiser invitation (1967–1984, all flat-bottomed)
Past Champions
2019: Frank Lyons (Lola T332)
2020: No champion declared
2021: Keith Norris (McLaren M10B)
2022: Mike Bletsoe-Brown (Chevron B27)
Whether you’re a fan of thunderous V8s or razor-sharp cornering, the Derek Bell Trophy is the ultimate celebration of classic single-seater racing. Witness motorsport history — live and loud!
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By Matt Hancock
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