Orange Times Issue 15

The Orange Times Bruce McLaren Trust Sept. / Oct. / Nov. 2016, Issue #15 One of the most intriguing projects that we have worked on recently has been the new children’s book about Bruce. Author Dreydon Sobanja and artist Murray Dewhurst approached us nearly two years ago and early November saw a busy week of launches, events and promotion of this wonderful book. First stop was a book reading for the nine year-olds at Meadowbank Primary School (Bruce’s first school). The children were amazing with their knowledge of Bruce and, with TV3’s Shaun Summerfield and film crew on site, there was fierce competition in the classroom to be interviewed and appear on TV. Then it was the first of the actual launch functions - this was held at the McLaren Auckland dealership and hosted by Sir Colin Giltrap. Our MC for the evening was well- known sporting commentator, and long-time BM Trust supporter, Peter Montgomery. McLaren Auckland is an amazing venue and, along with media, close associates and friends, “Bruce wants to go Faster” was well received with virtually all guests leaving with a copy or two in hand. The following evening we did the second launch at the Remuera Library, again a beautiful location and a Remuera historic building of similar era to the old McLaren’s Service Station, circa 1926. With the library having McLaren family history as well, the location was very apt. TV and Radio NZ interviews followed, (click here to listen) then a children’s book reading at the Remuera Library. Our final event was at the Bruce McLaren Retirement Village where many of the residents could totally relate to the era of young Bruce’s escapades. Many a grandparent at all of the events purchased the books as Christmas presents for the grandchildren with, of course, the proviso that they had to read it first. Copies of Bruce wants to go Faster are available now from the Trust website. See page 7 for book launch photographs In this Issue… Children’s Book Launch P1 Road America Can-Am Tour Report P2/3 Trustee Update P4 Robin Curtis Bequest P4 Trust Register - Chris Amon Special P5/6 Book Launch Photos P7 General News, Events Calendar P8 Bruce in M2B Bruce McLaren Trust “A Great Tour!” Report by Max Rutherford On July the 9th I set out for the USA with a group of fellow members of the Bruce McLaren Trust. The tour group was only 9 people, which for me was great as larger groups tend to have problems with people running late and generally causing mayhem. We were also able to travel in small buses, which meant easier movement in large cities, not to mention hotel lobbies! The main attraction of the tour for me was a race meeting at Dan is now well into his ‘80’s and no longer works full time due Road America to celebrate 50 years of Can-Am racing. However to poor health, but we met two of his sons who are keeping we first spent three days in California on the way to Chicago. We things going although they are no longer into race cars. Space were met at LAX by a bus that took us up through Los Angeles to and Aeronautical items are now their bread and butter. They Hollywood where we were camped for the first three nights. Our make military drones up to 7 metre wing span for several armed hotel backed on to Hollywood Boulevard so the first evening we forces around the globe, plus parts for SPACEX which make ‘studied the locals’ on this street which is famous for the bronze rockets that are designed for supplying space station and plaques in the ‘sidewalk’ that are dedicated to many famous launching satellites. actors past and present. That was the first culture shock. When last I visited that area around 25 years ago it was clean and tidy. Tour group at Dan Gurney collection Not anymore!! Footpaths, roads, shops and (some) people were filthy. This is or was one of the major tourist attractions for California but to see it you had to fight your way through dead beats and drug addicts with birds on their shoulders (parrots— not what you were thinking!) or snakes wrapped around their necks. Quite un-inviting and a great place to leave! During the daytime we visited various car collections. First was the Peterson Collection put together by the man who started “Hot Rod” magazine back in 1948. Hot Rod owners then were considered a “sub culture” of society and gang members, but thoughts changed when the public read about the people behind The parts they make are all in carbon fibre which is what they the hot rod movement (not my thoughts, but taken from a sign specialise in. ForKevin the rockets & Jackie they make the legs that are used in the museum). The collection included some rare and weird when landing. Elon Musk owns the SPACEX business and also vehicles including a motorbike with a 5 litre Dodge Viper motor of the factory that makes Tesla electric cars. Try Googling him, quite a fascinating guy. 500 hp. It needed four wheels for stabilisation (See photo). On the 4th day we flew to Chicago then the next day travelled by bus for 4 hours up the side of Lake Michigan to Manitowoc which is the closest accommodation Jan could arrange near the race meeting which was a further 40 minute ride by bus the next morning. The track was “Road America” which is near Elkhart Lake where in the early days they used to race on the streets. The race meeting was by far the biggest I had ever been to for car numbers; 420 plus pre- 1980 cars in about 8 classes including the featured Can-Am cars. It is 50 years since Can-Am started, and there were over 60 Can-Am cars there with about 42 of them racing. Mick & Jody Added to my pleasure at the sight of 40 odd cars out there was Hybrid cars were featured but not all current versions. One was the fact that I knew two of the drivers and a third was a Kiwi a 1914 Galt built 13 years after the first hybrid built by Ferdinand who had taken his car over there. I got to know him as well Porsche in 1901. There were pure electric and LNG cars from during the meeting. Two of them were very competitive which the early 1900’s as well as the chassis of a current Tesla all was great to see. One of those drivers was Tony Garmey from electric car. We also visited another museum that featured a Auckland who moved to Seattle twenty odd years ago and got Space Shuttle which showed us how huge these vehicles were. into the race car restoration and preparation business. I believe he has the best job in motor racing! He prepares cars for several Next day it was the turn of the Dan Gurney collection. He was rich owners, some of whom pay him to take the cars to a race around F1 in my time so I was keen to visit his facility. meeting where they drive them and he fettles them then takes them back to his base. 2 Bruce McLaren Trust What makes his work so great is that one of his rich customers We went into town in our bus and walked around amongst the owns a McLaren Can-Am car and is unable to drive it, so Tony cars on the town streets. The large crowds were really does the driving as well! Not only that but he is a great driver to enjoying it all with their beers and hamburgers although we ate boot. I would like that job!! The car is underpowered yet he our evening meal in style in the famous Siebkens Stop-Inn. placed fifth against cars with bigger engines. In his words— “Our When it was nearly dark the Sherriff led the cars back to the engine is 400 cubic inch with 600 odd hp. Competitors with track. Imagine that in New Zealand, or any other motor racing bigger motors have 925 + hp!” country for that matter. Tony Garmey shows Max his M8C Siebkens ‘Last Open Bar’ Poster featuring famous motorsport identities Incidentally, I learnt that the original rules for Can-Am cars The Road America track is 6.5 km long and is claimed to be one of the world’s fastest permanent road courses, which means a lot were very simple. The four wheels of the car had to be of walking if you want to move around to see all the corners. To covered as in sports cars and there had to be two seats. NO solve that problem there are a large number of golf carts on hire RULES about engine size or type, wheels, tyres etc. It would because as we know, Americans don’t do walking if they can drive be great if we could wind back some clocks and make rules for instead! Fortunately the wealthy and friendly owner of the speedway, Formula One and some other categories that simple! McLaren Tony was driving lent us his cart for a couple of hours so fellow member Pat Stephens and myself made the most of it and had a good cruise around. As there were over 400 cars racing there were a lot of events. Racing started at 8.30am each morning with the last race finishing at about 5.30 so there was plenty to see.

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