Justin Bell to Host RRDC Evening with Derek Bell MBE Presented by Firestone in Long Beach April 16, 2026

By Club News

Justin Bell to Host RRDC Evening with Derek Bell MBE Presented by Firestone in Long Beach

April 16, 2026

Tickets to the Evening with Derek Bell MBE still available;

Jim Michaelian to be remembered

LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 2, 2026) – Justin Bell, a British second-generation World Champion race-car driver, TV and web host, and the son of this year’s honoree, will host the RRDC Evening with Derek Bell MBE presented by Firestone on April 16, 2026, at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. This is the RRDC’s 16th banquet honoring auto racing’s most influential leaders.

In a career that has spanned 25 years, Justin won the 1997 FIA GT World Championship, the GT-2 Class at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans, and scored numerous victories and podium finishes in many forms of the sport. He also shared the podium with his dad at Le Mans in 1995, finishing third overall in a McLaren F1 GTR.

As a media personality, he has worked as a broadcaster for Speed, Fox, NBC and on various auction shows. Justin was also the driving coach on the Jay Leno Show on NBC, and, as a partner in Torque Media Group, co-hosts the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Working with such brands as McLaren, Genesis, Ferrari, Jaguar Land Rover and others, Justin is the face of multiple branded content campaigns. His streaming show, “Life With Legends,” is his passion project, and he has a partnership with The Wynn, Las Vegas on “Drive to Wynn!” In a studio in the casino, Justin hosts a weekly show about Formula One.

“I am excited and honored to introduce my father at the RRDC dinner in Long Beach,” said Justin. “We have a unique relationship, having raced at Le Mans twice together with a podium in the 1995 race. But, more importantly, he has been the best role model for me in my life, and I am incredibly proud of him as a racer and a man. I know it will be a wonderful evening.”

(Justin Bell image courtesy of Justin Bell)

During the Evening with Derek Bell MBE, the RRDC will also recognize the long career of RRDC member Jim Michaelian, who passed away on March 21, 2026.

RRDC President Bobby Rahal recently issued this statement: “The RRDC and motorsports have lost Jim Michaelian, the driving force behind the huge success of the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Jim was there from the beginning, serving as the organization’s first controller and working with founder Chris Pook to launch the inaugural Formula 5000 race in September 1975.

“Upon assuming the role of President and CEO in 2001, Jim continued to build the event into one of the most important motorsports events in the world.

“Jim was a passionate believer in what Long Beach became and in motor racing in general. And, equally so as a driver. Jim’s love for the sport knew no bounds, and worldwide motorsports benefitted from his participation.

“Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with his wife Mary and their family.”

(Jim Michaelian image courtesy of Grand Prix Association of Long Beach)
This year’s gala will be held at the Westin Long Beach Hotel at 333 E. Ocean Blvd., on Thursday, April 16, in advance of the 51st Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the fifth race of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. It will honor Derek Bell MBE, whose racing career is one of the most successful, diverse and wide-ranging of any British racing driver.

Proceeds of the dinner will benefit The Mark Donohue Foundation, which supports the RRDC’s SAFEisFAST initiative. Tickets may be purchased on the RRDC web site https://rrdc.org/events/. All are welcome. This event is expected to sell out, so early reservations are recommended.
About the RRDC:

The Road Racing Drivers Club was formed in 1952 as a way to give champion drivers a say in their sport, particularly in the areas of safety, and has evolved to serve the future of road racing by mentoring new drivers on both amateur and professional levels. The Club’s membership includes leading industry professionals, race officials and motorsports journalists, in addition to prominent racing names.

In 2011, the RRDC launched a free on-line training seminar – www.SAFEisFAST.com – featuring RRDC members and other industry experts in high-quality videos covering subjects from physical and mental preparation to driving techniques, driver safety to car setup and sponsorship. The videos are updated regularly. Each week, a professional from the world of motor racing answers readers’ questions on the site in a feature called ‘Ask a Pro.’ Bobby Rahal is President, John Fergus is Vice President/Treasurer and John Clagett is Secretary. The RRDC presents three annual awards: the Phil Hill Award, the Mark Donohue Award, and the Bob Akin Award. Membership in the RRDC is by invitation only. Additional information on the organization may be found at www.rrdc.org.

Road Racing Drivers Club – rrdc.org

Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-243-2438; jvstropus@gmail.com

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