Bond returns in Lotus 59

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Bev Bond made a racing comeback at the Oulton Park Gold Cup when he drove the Gold Leaf-liveried Lotus 59 that he campaigned in Formula 3 in 1970. Bond, now 72 years old, was invited to drive his famous car by its new owner Jim Chapman, and so ended a retirement that started in 1974.

“It’s unbelievable, I can’t believe where I am,” said Bond (right), widely regarded as one of the leading drivers of the 1-litre F3 era. “I’m so thankful to Jim Chapman. He said when he bought the car that he would enter it for me at Oulton Park. I hardly slept the night before the race.”

Bond hopes his return to racing will continue, having been offered several other drives. “It looks positive for more racing this year and then again next year,” he said.