18 replies to this topic

[Doug Nye]

I hear that former Le Mans driver Richard Bond - known affectionately to many as ‘Bondini’ - passed away on Sunday evening having enjoyed watching the Hungarian Grand Prix with friends. Later that day he joined more friends for dinner in Chelsea but collapsed outside the restaurant.

He finished 8th at Le Mans in 1972 co-driving with Derek Bell and Teddy Pilette in an Ecurie Francorchamps Ferrari, amongst other outings there in a variety of cars, and he was always a colourful character...

DCN

Edited by Doug Nye, 02 August 2011 - 11:32.

[simonlewisbooks]

Very sorry to hear this. I met him at Prescott about 3 years back as he scanned the books on my stall. Once I found out who he was we had a long and very enjoyable chat about his many and various racing exploits and the fact he had been at Brightlands School which is only a few miles away from me (well, it was, the building is now a posh apartment block overlooking the River Severn).
A proper old-school racing driver who seemed to have had a whale of a time driving some epic machinery!

[Sharman]

How sad, another one gone. I knew him quite well in the 70s but the last time I saw him was at Monaco Historic in 2006 when we had a natter about old times and people whom we had know and who had now left us

[Paul Parker]

He raced the Red Rose ex-Sutcliffe lightweight E type in the mid-60s and later GT40s, Ferraris, Porsches, Healey and much else at Le Mans, the Ring, Targa etc. I saw him at Silverstone racing the 'flat iron' Lister circa early 1970s when it was owned by Robert Cooper and didn't he share a drive with Paul Vestey somewhere. This was the time to be a talented gentleman driver.

Very sad to hear of his departure and my condolences to family and friends.

[Stephen W]

Sad news indeed - Richard was a great enthusiast.

[Alan Cox]

Sad news indeed. Another great enthusiast leaves the grid.

and didn't he share a drive with Paul Vestey somewhere. This was the time to be a talented gentleman driver.
Very sad to hear of his departure and my condolences to family and friends.

From John Davies' Welsh Motor Sport Drivers webpage:

Richard Bond
Richard Bond was born in Cardiff and began racing in 1964, his first event being in a Jaguar 3.4 at Oulton Park. The following year saw him gain numerous club wins in a lightweight Jaguar E-type, a Ford Mustang and a Ford Falcon. In 1965-66 he competed in a Ford GT40 in World Championship sports car races, his successes including 7th at Reims, 8th at Francorchamps, 10th at Monza and 13th at Nürburgring. In 1967 Bond was 9th in the Targa Florio, sharing an Austin-Healey 3000 with Ted Worswick. Four years later he was 12th at Le Mans, driving a Porsche 911S with Paul Vestey, and the following season he finished 8th in the 24-hour classic, this time racing a Ferrari Daytona with Derek Bell and Teddy Pilette. The 1973 season saw Richard campaigning a Ferrari Daytona at Francorchamps and Le Mans. (Mike Kettlewell)

[hipperson]

This was Bond..Shetterton 1965....GT40/1021...near 40 year polaroid has stood the test of time

[pete53]

This was Bond..Shetterton 1965....GT40/1021...near 40 year polaroid has stood the test of time

A great snap. You don't always need expensive equipment to get a good shot. I reckon this was 1966 rather than '65 .. probably Good Friday where I think he ran in the Group 7 race.
Pete

[bradbury west]

Another of the old school gone. I only met him once, mid 1980s, and endorse what Simon says. IIRC he was one of the 20+ directors of Modena Engineering.
Roger Lund

[hipperson]

I took this snap last year at the inaugral Le Mans Legends in Chelsea

I believe Mr Bond to be in the line up.....I think I know where but would await a 100% ID from someone

[David McKinney]

The gent in specs, with red pocket handkerchief

[simon drabble]

Bondini - he sometimes pushed his luck too far but we were all very fond of him. He will be missed. The world is a duller place without characters like him.

Edited by simon drabble, 03 August 2011 - 08:12.

[Giraffe]

Here is Richard at Oulton Park in 1970 (rear right of pic in sports jacket) overlooking his friend David Prophet's McLaren M10B.


By giraffe138 at 2011-08-03

[bill p]

Here is Richard at Oulton Park in 1970 (rear right of pic in sports jacket) overlooking his friend David Prophet's McLaren M10B.


By giraffe138 at 2011-08-03

I note the red handkerchief again

[Giraffe]

I note the red handkerchief again

...signet ring & cigarette............

[Alan Cox]

Silverstone April 1991, having a run in the Maserati 4CL owned by his great friend, Dan Margulies

[bradbury west]

Silverstone April 1991, having a run in the Maserati 4CL owned by his great friend, Dan Margulies

At which point, when offered the drive by Dan Margulies, Richard Bond apparently replied to the effect " after all these years I get a works drive......". Marvellous man.
Roger Lund

[bradbury west]

If you have the opportunity to look at the current issue of Octane magazine, you will see Tony Dron's particularly fitting obituary, written with the kindness and generosity of someone who knew and regarded Richard Bond well as a man and as a racer. A fine send-off IMHO.
Roger Lund

[simon drabble]

If you have the opportunity to look at the current issue of Octane magazine, you will see Tony Dron's particularly fitting obituary, written with the kindness and generosity of someone who knew and regarded Richard Bond well as a man and as a racer. A fine send-off IMHO.
Roger Lund

I did read it and it captured well the essence of Bondini but whilst he had his moments he never once complained about his reduced circumstances torwards the end of his life.
I was sad to miss his funeral as I was on holiday but I gather that it was not only packed but Colin Pool's eulogy was nothing short of superb.
Anyone who knew Bondini would have a story about him - to me he was a founder member of Dad's Army and my memory of some of the trips to Spa with them remain my most enjoyable times racing.
Rest assured he will be up there in his blazer and BRDC tie trying to blag something!!