FORMULA 3 racing driver Bev Bond died of leukaemia on Friday, November 22, aged 75.

Racing was in Mr Bond’s blood. His father was a speedway rider in the British team, and his mother also rode a speedway motorbike.

He started his career racing karts as a youngster, and after a stint in the army he turned semi-professional, while working with his father’s boat building business.

From 1967 to 1974 he drove as a professional Formula 3 racer, driving for Gold Leaf Team Lotus and Team Ensign, and taking the chequered flag 14 times.

During his career he was lucky to escape a potentially fatal crash without injury – at Karlskoga in Sweden in 1969 – but he went on to win the British Empire Trophy in 1970, the Arco Trophy in 1971, and set the first 100mph lap at Oulton park in Cheshire.

In 1970 he was getting paid £25 per race in England and £50 for racing abroad.

During his career he beat some of the greatest drivers in the world, including Emerson Fittipaldi at Brands Hatch, and James Hunt, the future Formula 1 champ, having overtaken him from second place on the last lap at Oulton Park. He received a telegram from Lotus founder Colin Chapman congratulating him on his win.

Mr Bond retired in 1975, two years after he moved to Christchurch, living for several years in Stourbank Road. He worked as a driving instructor and restored classic cars.

He met his partner Darryl in 1975 and joined in a civil partnership. In 2010 Mr Bond was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which was in remission after six months.

He was later given the all clear and raised more than £1,000 for the Dorset Cancer Care Unit at Poole Hospital by fundraising at motorsports events.

A funeral service will be held at Bournemouth Crematorium at 10.30am today. Family flowers only.