Magic Mike Bell 27 May 2020

[chunterer]

Such sad news. A lovely bloke always supportive and enthusiastic.
Condolences to Mike's nearest and dearest.
Long live the Lairy Canary!!
R.I.P.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by bauble

Somehow, someway, there has to be a Mike Bell Memorial Trophy.

I've been thinking along those lines too, & wondering about the most suitable way to do it. Perhaps something a little bit different to the usual - Mike enjoyed the travel almost as much as the racing, so how about something for the person who competes in the most circuits/countries during a season?

Not very well put but I'm sure you will know what I mean!

[Tim Falce]

Looking how this thread has grown so much in the few days it's been running into one of the largest tributes ever on Tenths goes to show how loved Mike was, and always will be.
Let's hope he's not breaking too many rules up there with another equally quiet but larger than life character and much loved and respected man, race official John Smith whom we lost just over a year ago. Go Mike, in our hearts forever

[bauble]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

I've been thinking along those lines too, & wondering about the most suitable way to do it. Perhaps something a little bit different to the usual - Mike enjoyed the travel almost as much as the racing, so how about something for the person who competes in the most circuits/countries during a season?

Not very well put but I'm sure you will know what I mean!

It needs someone to set up a method of donating towards a suitable 'Trophy'. and commissioning the actual award, best done by a small committee of those who knew him best,

The difficult part will be setting up some on-going method of awarding the trophy, Probably on an annual basis.
Something based at Snetterton would be appropriate.

The Morgan Aero Challenge Series has a 'Mr Nice Guy Award', as voted by the drivers each season. Something of this nature seems appropriate for Mike's memory.

I hope that something will come of it.

[Peter Mallett]

Mike raced with many organisations; Masters; MRL; HSCC; Morgan Challenge et al. HSCC and Morgan Challenge race at Snetterton. Perhaps a trophy attached to one of their Snet meetings would be good.

[Malcolm Smith]

Very sad news, R.I.P. Mike.
It was a privilege to have met him at many events, a true gentleman.

[delta]

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.

[bauble]

Originally Posted by delta

Attachment 61522
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.

I have been contemplating putting my pictures of Mike in an album on my Google site, if anyone wants to contribute I will happily add them and post a link for anyone to view, and download.

[Cliff Ryan]

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!

[Cliff Ryan]

Originally Posted by bauble

I have been contemplating putting my pictures of Mike in an album on my Google site, if anyone wants to contribute I will happily add them and post a link for anyone to view, and download.

Great idea, is this open to all, even those who aren't on Tenths?

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Cliff Ryan

Great idea, is this open to all, even those who aren't on Tenths?

Anyone who wants to share their memories of Mike, Cliff.
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.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Cliff Ryan

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!

The Bell Smith 6 hour memorial race?

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by Cliff Ryan

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!

Watch this space... more to come.

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by andy97

The Bell Smith 6 hour memorial race?

Highly unlikely to be six hours, but, it will be an endurance race and we also have other grids that are very keen to be a part of it, all from a historical background.

In Truth Andy, I actually spoke to Mike Bell and a host of others about this for John last year after his death. I had contacted several people about the running of it and had provisionally agreed things with the circuit, however... COVID came along! ... and the rest is history.

[andy97]

Understood, Claire. Thanks.

[Willmaz223]

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.

[356sc]

In happier times.

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by 356sc

Attachment 61540
In happier times.

Prefer to remember him like that... thanks for sharing

[bauble]

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

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by bauble

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

Nice pictures Baub, combining these with the tributes are helping me to get to know a guy I'd never met.

[Paul D]

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.

[Paulaweybridge]

Back in May 2010, I attended a Masters Meeting at Brands and took loads of fotos including a few of Mike which sadly are lost. He pm’d me and I sent them to him. I never got to meet Mike in person which is a shame but he struck me as a lovely guy.

This thread on the meeting is wonderful to read as there are some great exchanges with John Smith, Tim Falce, Mike and others.

https://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122402

Rest in Peace Mike

[Cliff Ryan]

Originally Posted by bauble

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

Thanks Bob, great photos of a great friend having fun.

I’ve shared the link with Mike’s sister Mary & his close friends James & Suzanne 👍

[delta]

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.
.

[bauble]

Mike will be surprised iain, not a spelling mistake to be found, he will be chuckling up there.