The Orange Times

Bruce McLaren Trust November / December 2015, Issue #10

NZFMR Porsche Festival

In anticipation of the upcoming Porsche Festival at Hampton Downs over two weekends in January, we could not resist reviving the following article, written in 1967 by Bruce for his Autosport column “From the Cockpit”… London, August 1 About three weeks ago the competition department of Shell telephoned and asked if I’d like to drive either a Ferrari or a Porsche in the BOAC 500 race at . Deciding which one wasn’t easy. Ferraris could obviously win, but driving the Porsche seemed the sporting thing to do: the little Porsches were going to be the Davids in this David and Goliath-type battle that was brewing, and that appealed to me.

I was in good company in the Porsche team, as they’d also signed up , and to drive the eight-cylinder 910 cars. During practice I made a comment to the chief engineer that the eight-cylinder car, with its slightly heavier engine, didn’t handle as well as the more developed six-cylinder car. His reply was classic: “Za handling is OK – just more difficult to drive ja? So ve haf za Grand Prix drivers!!”

I expected it to be a good race. The BOAC backing somehow gave it glamour and the press build-up for the six-hour race began back in February. It was in fact the biggest and best lineup of GT sports cars and drivers ever seen in England. A Chaparral had never raced here before, and neither had the P4 Ferraris, the Mirage, or the works 910 Porsches. The only regular GP drivers not sharing a wheel were and .

After the big Mk 4 Ford at Le Mans and our own “big banger” sports car, the Porsches were fun to drive – it had a kind of wobble to it but once you got used to it you could slide the car round quite a lot. The steering felt very high geared, but light at the same time so that you could catch all manner of slides without moving the wheel very far. My ears are still buzzing from the noise of that flat eight engine. The six was perfectly OK to drive, but the eight had a pulse to it that really got into your ears, even with ear plugs, cotton wool and then your crash helmet over the top!

Our practice for the race was uneventful. Jo Siffert and I only did five fast laps each – “Five laps, ja?” I got stuck behind two Ferraris and didn’t get going as fast as I thought the car could go. Jo got some clear laps and recorded seventh best time behind the Lolas, the Chaparral, the works Ferraris, and the Rindt/Hill Porsche. Jo did the start for various reasons, the main one being that he didn’t seem to mind doing it! He was apologising to me for something trivial before the start, but I told him not to worry, and just make sure he was in the lead when he came in for the first pitstop. And he did!

We could run for two hours between fuel stops, a little longer than everyone else. Surtees hammered off into the lead, but only for a couple of laps before he stopped to adjust the fuel pressure. Paul Hawkins then lead the pack for a while in a works Ferrari, but Denny finally got through and opened up a big lead in the Lola before he stopped with a broken rocker, leaving the Chapparal out in front.

In this Issue…

NZFMR Celebrating Porsche P1/2 Trustee Report P2 Goodwood Revival 2015 P3 General News, Events Calendar etc P4 Bruce McLaren Trust

Graham’s Porsche was lying just in front of ours when Trustee Report something let go in the engine. Followers of the “Porsches- do-not-blow-up” school must have been severely shaken: The Trustees take this opportunity to wish you well for the I’d spoilt an engine in practice and now Graham had done festive season and for a happy and prosperous New Year. We it in the race! also thank you for all your support this year as we have faced many challenges as we progress forward.

Our year started on a very positive note with much planning and research on potential options for a permanent home for the BMT. However, having spent some months on options, viabilities, plans and feasibility studies, two major happenings created considerable frustration and a halt to all planning, just as we were about to present the options.

Firstly, the old McLaren Service Station came up for sale on a separate title and then whilst we were discussing this, the sale of Hampton Downs started to progress at the same time. After much deliberation we made a decision to tender for the Service Station Building, but regrettably we were unsuccessful and the property sold for $2.2 million. Whilst we have Heritage NZ Category 1 and Auckland Council Category B ratings to protect the building, the new owner wishes to develop it. We will now

work with HeritageKevin NZ &and Jackie Remuera Heritage, and our As the bigger cars started having their fuel stops we conservation architects to protect the heritage and integrity of moved up the leader board, and for a brief spell just the building, as the new owner proceeds with plans to seek before the second hour Jo was leading in our car. When Resource Consent. Because of this, there may not be a home for he stopped the car was refuelled and Jo muttered us in this new development and even to buy back just the single McLaren apartment in which we are currently based may not be something half in French and half in English about having to pump the brake pedal and the brakes being “mad” – or feasible. If the development of the building proceeds, and once that’s what it sounded like! I jumped in, shifted the seat the building is earthquake-proofed, the upgraded building may up a notch, and roared off. The Chaparral was only a little not suit our needs. ahead and I thought for a while that I might be able to catch it, but the brakes weren’t too good so I gave up that There is no time line or protection of our current tenancy at the idea and settled down to drive as fast as possible while Service Station. In order to protect ourselves from a short notice using the brakes as gently as I could. termination of our tenancy, the Trustees have decided to invest

in one of the apartments in the Ganley Block at Hampton Downs. When I handed back to Jo we had only an hour and a half This is an investment for the Trust and also a benefit for Trust left, and the race had settled down with the Chaparral in members as they will be able to rent the apartment at a the lead, the Amon/Stewart Ferrari second and our discounted rate. Mick We will & Jodyuse the double garaging for secure Porsche third. There wasn’t much we could do about this. storage of some of our memorabilia and historic records, along If we couldn’t win, I think I wanted to see the Chaparral with other items currently in separate storage. The rental of the get it but couldn’t help but chuckle listening to the comme apartment will provide additional income for the Trust. The ntator, who was telling us all what courageous lads the apartment number is 410 and with the presentation of your Chaparral boys were to come all the way across the current membership card you will receive a 10% discount on Atlantic with a lone car to take on the might of Ferrari – your stay! courageous lads indeed: a couple of Texan multi- millionaires with a car backed by General Motors! Overall, this is a sound commercial venture. The development of

Hampton Downs by new owner, Tony Quinn, continues at an Editor’s Note: Due to space constraints, this is a shortened version of Bruce’s column “From the Cockpit” published in Autosport, August 1967. astonishing pace. We will keep you informed as things progress Photographer unknown and we look forward to letting you know of some exciting new plans.

The Trustees

D 2 a v i Bruce McLaren Trust

Goodwood Revival 2015 As always, Lord March does the most magnificent events at Goodwood and the Revival is a favourite and should be on everyone’s bucket list. The Tribute to Bruce has been on the planning board at Goodwood for a few years and it was fantastic to see it come to fruition in September. With all the planned tribute events for the weekend, the Trust decided to have only a small commemorative gathering at the Memorial Stone on the Thursday. This included the laying of a small wreath, brought along by members, moving speeches by Howden Ganley, Roger Wills and Andrew Kerr - nephew of the late Phil Kerr - and some great photos of the groups of attendees.

Robin Herd, Gordon Coppuck, Mike Barney, Jan McLaren, Sir , Wal Willmott, Howden Ganley. Photo: Dave Williamson

The tribute parades each day kept us all very busy and it was magnificent to see the line-up of cars that were associated with Bruce, along with the amazing selection of renowned drivers taking part. A very heart-warming part of two of the tribute parades was seeing Amanda behind the wheel of Bruce’s own road car, the M6GT. He would have been so proud to see her driving.

Amanda in the M6GT. Photo: Dave Williamson

Roger Wills and a very dapper . Photographer unknown

Owner Ralph Smith showing his Lycoming Special to Gordon Coppuck. Photo: Dave Williamson Lord March’s speech on the Saturday was most evocative, followed by a wonderful short film put together by Doug Nye and narrated beautifully by Lord March’s sister, Nimmy.

By special arrangement, we were allowed to invite our members that were present, on to the grid for this Saturday tribute, a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity and a pleasure for us to be able to share this privilege. Jan McLaren

NZ High Commissioner in London, Sir Lockwood Smith and Lady Alexandra in Roger Wills’ . Photographer unknown 3 Bruce McLaren Trust

General News & links Current Calendar December 2015 Roger Wills and a very dapper Scott Dixon. Photo: Mark Donaldson *Designates probable Trust involvement

Latest from Goodwood January 15th – 17th & 22nd – 24th 2016

The 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed theme will be “Full *NZFMR Porsche Festival, Hampton Downs

Throttle – The Endless Pursuit of Power”, featuring Can-Am th th (Waitangi Weekend) and other cars. Along with this announcement, the GRRC February 6 -7 *Rod Millen’s Leadfoot Festival, Hahei, Coromandel website features the video ‘McLaren-the Can-Am years’. To

th st watch click here. February 17 -21 Tremains Art Deco Festival, Napier The Trust at NZFMR th th A reminder to visit us during the upcoming Porsche Festival March 10 – 13 at Hampton Downs next month. Our marquee and VHRR Classic Festival of Motorsport, Phillip Island, exclusive members and guests viewing area will be in its Victoria

usual spot, with views over the infield downhill hairpin March 12th – 13th (turn 9) and beyond. We look forward to welcoming you *VCC Roycroft Trophy, Hampton Downs there. Check this out

Our ‘OLDM8’ has recently been on display near its new

home in the USA. Click here to see a video from the

“Rock-n-Roll McDonald's Icons of the Road” car show in

Chicago.

Formula SAE Update Trustees Jan McLaren and Duncan Fox were present for the November launch of the 2015 F:SAE race car at the Auckland University School of Engineering. As you read this the car will be in Melbourne at the Australasian round of this international students’ competition. Our very best wishes to the team and “No.47” for a first class result.

Documentary - Info Request As announced in our previous issue, a documentary movie about Bruce’s life is in production, directed by none other than Roger Donaldson. Researchers have already been in our office gathering information, and are asking anyone with old photos, memorabilia etc to get in touch with them. Click on this link for details. Contact Us

590 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland 1050 Christmas Cheer PO Box 109 050, Newmarket 1149 This year’s Santa as you have no doubt noticed is driving an Phone: 09 522 8224 Austin-Healey. This great card by artist Robin Bark Mobile: 027 289 7850 http://www.robinbark-motorart.com/ was purchased at the Email: [email protected] Goodwood Revival and is most appropriate this Christmas as News Ed: [email protected] some 60 years ago, in December 1955, young Bruce was negotiating with Pop McLaren to drive the Austin-Healey in the NZIGP meeting at Ardmore in early January. And, yes, Pop www.bruce-.com agreed!

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