Opening the front door of his Bear Cross bungalow is slightly more laborious than it usually is for Bev.

“Oooo, I’m feeling a bit achy today,” says the silver haired racer, as he welcomes me into his home.

That’s because Bev spent the weekend competing at Oulton Park, where 40 years previously he had driven the best race of his career in the British Empire Trophy.

He remembers racing his Gold Leaf Lotus to victory like it was yesterday. “After dicing for the lead in the heat, the car suddenly went down to three cylinders – I ended up coming last,” explains Bev.

“But because so many people had had accidents, I managed to get onto the back row of the grid.”

Meanwhile up at the business end of the grid was James Hunt, a future Formula One world champion and one of the favourites to win the race.

Hunt was joined on the front row by Tony Trimmer, another future Formula One driver.

“I got through to the leading bunch after about seven laps,” recalls Bev, before telling me how he made his moves – using an imaginary steering wheel to help him explain. After some fine driving, Bev found himself in second place behind James Hunt with one lap to go.

“I took James on the inside of Lodge, the last corner – it was sweet,” smiles Bev, showing me the black and white picture of him crossing the finishing line.

“After the race I received a telegram from Colin Chapman (the founder of Lotus) congratulating me on my victory.”

That was in 1970 and to mark the 40th anniversary of his finest victory, Bev went back to Oulton Park where he took part in the race again – behind the wheel of his old Lotus.

It turns out a man from Lymington had recently purchased the car and goaded Bev out of retirement and into the driving seat – he didn’t take much persuasion. After a brief practise at the Top Gear track, Bev headed up to Cheshire’s circuit where he finished 17th out of 30-odd drivers – not bad for someone fresh out of retirement.

“It was almost as though I had never been away. I did a few people on the grid and for the first half of the race I was up there with the leaders,” explains Bev.

“It was just like 40 years ago.”

Last weekend’s race was the catalyst Bev needed to rekindle his love for racing and now he’s in the process of securing a regular drive for next year – at 72 years old.

Born in the East End, Bev seemed destined to become a racer, it was in his blood.

“My father was a speedway rider; he was in the British team and did test matches in Australia and New Zealand,” he explains.

“My mother also rode a speedway motorcycle and my aunt holds the lap record for the Portsmouth speedway track – although it isn’t there now.”

Like many drivers, Bev started his career racing karts as a youngster and after a stint in the Army he turned professional.

“I was getting paid £25 per race in England and £50 for racing abroad, but I had to pay all my expenses,” laughs Bev, who moved to Bournemouth in 1973.

“We used to travel and sleep in a VW Camper and tow the racing car behind us.”

During his career, Bev beat some of the greatest drivers in the world. “I beat Emerson Fittipaldi at Brands Hatch,” he says, with understandable pride.

“He’s one of the nicest men I have ever met.”

After retiring from professional racing, Bev became a driving instructor before restoring classic cars for a living.

I’m curious to know what a petrol head and former racer like Bev has tucked away in his garage – an Aston, a Jag, a Lotus? “A Honda Insight,” he says.

“It’s halved my petrol bill.”