Died in a car crash on his way to the Monaco GP. Dad of David and Paula, who both raced in the 1990's. Best known for running the DC Cook garage and lower formulae team. Cook, as a racer, competed in the Shellsport International Series during the 1970's, and as a team boss, he ran a Formula 3000 and British Touring Car Championship team in the 1990's. He also raced in British Formula Atlantic and British Formula 3. After 1977, he concentrated fully on his car dealership, which became a well known chain and earned him millions of pounds. Unfortunately a disastrous business deal led to the collapse of the business in 2001, but Derek bounced back and formed his own business selling discounted new cars. Daughter Paula, a former racer, took over the business after Derek's death.

Biography last updated 13 May 2017