Ivor made me driver

Sir,

It was nice to see Ivor Bueb remembered in Robert Edwards’ excellent article in the February 2000 magazine.

He was my mentor in the mid ’50’s; I was working as a Service Receptionist at the local Rootes Group Distributors in Cheltenham and he took great interest in my Ford 1172 formula racing and got me my first International race as his co-driver with the Works 1100cc Coventry Climax at the Dundrod IT in 1955. This led to Works drives with Coopers in 1956/57. In 1957 my deferment from National Service expired since I had got my HND Mechanical Engineering by then and I went into the RAF on a Short Service Commission.

In 1959, whilst in the RAF, Ivor arranged for me to be reserve driver for the Lister-Jaguar team at Le Mans and I agree with the comment that he was under pressure and “living on his nerves a little”.

I think he was finding it very difficult to make ends meet as a professional driver at that time and got the impression he was forcing himself to produce better results.

Two months later he had his fatal accident; I can only surmise but I fear he was trying too hard. Ivor was a generous warm-hearted and genuine man, I will always be grateful for his interest and help.

I AM YOURS, ETC

Michael MacDowel – Godalming, Surrey