One of the very best.

The Pebble Beach Concours is this weekend in Monterey, and you can see over-restored vintage cars in far better condition than they left the factory 70 years ago lined up in serried rows. The crowds are crazy, the prices ridiculous and the parking non-existent.

But the real action is up the road at Laguna Seca racetrack where you can see vintage race cars in profusion and, if you go a day early, as I did yesterday, you will find a relaxed atmosphere, no crowds, the entry fee to the paddock remains at $20 (vs. $350 for the Concours) and you get to mix with enthusiasts, not poseurs.

This year I had the rare spot of luck of meeting and chatting with Derek Bell, perhaps the finest long distance racer of his generation. At age 72 Bell has retained his youthful figure and remains as charming as ever.

“Sir Derek, would you mind if I shook your hand and said ‘Thank you’ for all the many years of pleasure you have given me?”

“But of course. And let me tell you, I enjoyed every single one of those.”

By the way, his hand is as soft as the proverbial baby’s bottom. There are mechanics and there are drivers. Bell is one of the latter.

Bell in Bruce McCaw’s 1957 Maserati 300S.

Maserati is the featured marque this year and it was fitting that I could snap Bell in the gorgeous 1957 300S two seater, one of the prettiest cars to be seen among the five hundred (500!) or so in the paddock, and one of no fewer than 17 Maseratis, all ready to be thrashed around the race track.

You can read more about Sir Derek and his five 24 hour Le Mans victories here and about the Maserati 300S here. But all you really need know is that this is a true Italian beauty, a thoroughbred which does not eat while you sleep.

The fuel goes here …. the ducts route air to Italian Weber carbs.

Snaps on the Panny GX7 with the 45mm Zuiko.