Surprised no-one else has picked up on this, F5000 racer Tom Belso passed away the night before last after a struggle with cancer. I'm sure there are quite a few people on here who would have seen him race.
Tom Belso RIP
Started by
Gary C
, Jan 13 2020 07:56
16 replies to this topic
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#2
1969BOAC500
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Posted 13 January 2020 - 08:08
Yes indeed - I well remember him as a F5000 stalwart in the Radio Luxemburg-sponsored Lola. Whenever I saw him in the paddock at Brands he always seemed to have a broad grin on his face.
R.I.P.
#4
doc knutsen
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Posted 13 January 2020 - 08:59
R.I.P. Tom
Seconded. "Smiling Tom" was very much a feature of racing in Scandinavia in the Seventies. How old was he, mid- Seventies? Very sad news.
Edited by doc knutsen, 13 January 2020 - 08:59.
#5
jcbc3
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Posted 13 January 2020 - 09:36
RIP Tom
Being only 54, I never had the pleasure of watching Belsø race. However, I DO have a personal memory of him.
When my family moved house in the summer of 1971 (I was 6 at the time), because of some mix up, my parents suddenly found themselves without a moving van. A friend of my parents heard about the predicament, and this friend knew Tom Belsø. So he called Tom and asked if he and my parents could borrow his race transporter for the weekend. Tom graciously said yes, so we moved houses thanks to Tom.I distinctly remember the stickers and if my memory is correct the van was grey.
#6
Richard Jenkins
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Posted 13 January 2020 - 11:30
Very sad news although I was prepared for it having learnt he was gravely ill in December.
Very capable driver, very clever businessman and a good all round chap.
RIP and condolences to his family
Very capable driver, very clever businessman and a good all round chap.
RIP and condolences to his family
#7
68targa
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Posted 13 January 2020 - 12:39
Sad to hear this news. A true racer. R.I.P.
1974 -15 April - F5000 Brands Hatch - Lola T330 Chev
1969 Brands Hatch 6 hours - shared with Frank Gardner
#9
KWSN - DSM
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Posted 13 January 2020 - 13:51
RIP Tom
Being only 54, I never had the pleasure of watching Belsø race. However, I DO have a personal memory of him.
When my family moved house in the summer of 1971 (I was 6 at the time), because of some mix up, my parents suddenly found themselves without a moving van. A friend of my parents heard about the predicament, and this friend knew Tom Belsø. So he called Tom and asked if he and my parents could borrow his race transporter for the weekend. Tom graciously said yes, so we moved houses thanks to Tom.I distinctly remember the stickers and if my memory is correct the van was grey.
Rest in peace....
And yes... And we were even allowed to sit inside the actual van part between the two houses.
#11
Rob Ryder
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Posted 13 January 2020 - 18:21
I should have posted this earlier....
Tom at the 1973 International Trophy in his 208 Lola T330
Tom at the 1973 International Trophy in his 208 Lola T330
#12
sstiel
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Posted 13 January 2020 - 22:48
Lovely tributes online to him from Jan Magnussen and Tom Kristensen.
Jan Magnussen
Tom Kristensen
2 hrs ·
Sad news this morning. Tom Belsø was the first Dane ever to participate in a Formula One race. He inspired so many of us. RIP
Tom Kristensen
5 hrs ·
Thank you Tom Belsø .. You inspired us all. Hvil i fred
Edited by sstiel, 13 January 2020 - 22:49.
#13
DouglasM
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Posted 14 January 2020 - 01:51
To me, anybody who raced a F5000 was a hero. RIP, Tom.
#14
William Hunt
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Posted 30 May 2020 - 15:01
Belso's best result in F1 was an 8th place (out of 12 cars finishing) in the Swedish GP of 1974. That was outside the top 6 but would have been a points finish with today's points rules.
Interesting side-note is that that race had several 'Nordic' drivers in it: Peterson & Bertil Roos (Shadow) from Sweden, Leo Kinnunen from Finland in the Surtees and Belso from Denmark in the Iso / Williams/
#15
Richard Jenkins
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Posted 24 February 2025 - 21:58
Request for help from a Danish historian, who has been very helpful to me in the past, so I'd like to return the favour. See below. You can PM or email me accordingly and I can pass the details on of the recipient accordingly. Any help given greatly appreciated!
I am looking for photos and general information and anecdotes on Tom Belsø for the years:
1970 FF 1600 Hawke DL2A
1971 F Atlantic Brabham BT28/35
1972 F2 Brabham BT38
1973 F5000 Lola T330
1974 F1 Iso Marlboro - Williams
1975-77 F5000 Lola T330
#16
Jon Saltinstall
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Posted 25 February 2025 - 13:06
Request for help from a Danish historian, who has been very helpful to me in the past, so I'd like to return the favour. See below. You can PM or email me accordingly and I can pass the details on of the recipient accordingly. Any help given greatly appreciated!
I am looking for photos and general information and anecdotes on Tom Belsø for the years:
1970 FF 1600 Hawke DL2A
1971 F Atlantic Brabham BT28/35
1972 F2 Brabham BT38
1973 F5000 Lola T330
1974 F1 Iso Marlboro - Williams
1975-77 F5000 Lola T330
Just sent you an email, Rich.
#17
sstiel
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Posted 25 February 2025 - 13:48
Request for help from a Danish historian, who has been very helpful to me in the past, so I'd like to return the favour. See below. You can PM or email me accordingly and I can pass the details on of the recipient accordingly. Any help given greatly appreciated!
I am looking for photos and general information and anecdotes on Tom Belsø for the years:
1970 FF 1600 Hawke DL2A
1971 F Atlantic Brabham BT28/35
1972 F2 Brabham BT38
1973 F5000 Lola T330
1974 F1 Iso Marlboro - Williams
1975-77 F5000 Lola T330
Me too.
Hello Jon. Hope you enjoyed Race Retro. Saw you but you were busy talking so didn't butt in.
