Tom Belso

Forever being fatuously described as ‘The smiling Dane’ ill served this hard-working driver. After many years of endeavour he eventually became Denmark’s first racing driver to compete in a World Championship Grand Prix and, more importantly, proved himself a formidable competitor in the early seventies in Formula 5000.

Originally a mechanic, his meticulous preparation was rewarded by the chance to race the Volvo on which he had worked. Tom was a winner first time out and by 1969, driving a Ford Escort, he was the Scandinavian saloon car champion. This success led to a test and subsequent drive in Formula Ford with Hawke in 1970.

Encouraged by his progress, Belso sold his business interests and moved his family to England to compete in Formula Atlantic in 1971. He finished third in the championship with an old Brabham and then took the leap into Formula 2 for 1972. A fourth place at Albi was the best result in a season strewn with engine problems, but he caught the eye of Jackie Epstein, who signed him for his Shellsport F5000 team – for which he drove splendidly for three seasons. It was during this period that Frank Williams gave Tom his Grand Prix opportunities. Lack of finance curtailed his racing activities for 1976 but, irrepressible as ever, he was back for one more tilt at F5000 in 1977 with John Jordan’s Lola.