The Orange Times

Bruce McLaren Trust Sept, Oct, Nov 2017 Issue #19

BMT Heritage Centre

Official Opening

On August 30th, on what would have been Bruce’s 80th birthday, we were delighted to officially open our Heritage Centre. And what a crazy rush it was to get everything ready in time. Areas that weren’t quite ready, along with many unopened boxes, were carefully disguised or hidden away.

Around 120 members, friends, sponsors, associates and volunteers, including our new Patron , Waikato District Council Mayor Allan Sanson, and representatives from the Franklin Tourism Board were welcomed with champagne, canapes and warm hospitality. Our MC for the evening was John Tomlin and he did a wonderful job despite a sore throat and the usual last minute alterations to plans that every event planner knows only too well. Jan opened the evening with a story about the Waikato and the McLaren family connections to the area. Whilst we don’t usually associate Bruce with the area, the McLaren family farm was in Ngaruawahia and she recalled many a family trip from Remuera to the farm, with Bruce in the Austin Ulster and Pop McLaren driving in the V8 Pilot. She remembered too the Mercer fog, the Rangiriri Straight and Bruce, from the moment they left Remuera, way out in front. He was usually not seen again until the V8 Pilot got to the Rangiriri Straight and there would be Bruce just high-tailing over the brow of the hill at the far end, both drivers naturally obeying all the speed rules! The straight on SH1 that leads to Hampton Downs surely does know Bruce well, and might we add that some of the McLaren family still live on that very Ngaruawahia farm today.

In this Issue…

Official Opening P1/2 Moving Forward - Trust Update P2 Vale – John Nicholson P3 Vale – Jim Kane P4 Our New Chairman, Paul Hunter P5 Trust Register Update P6/7 Display, ‘Years Gone By’ P7 General News, Events Calendar P8

Bruce McLaren Trust

Kenny recalled his school days at Seddon Tech when Bruce Waikato District Mayor, Allan Sanson, spoke of the was a prefect there, and when he owned the Austin Ulster, development in the area and was delighted to know of the and other anecdotes. Kenny is one of our very regular McLaren involvement in the Waikato. With the Franklin visitors – he just loves the new setup and can’t wait to Tourism Board due to open their i-Site (Information Site) move in. We will settle for a sky bridge between us! in the Industrial Units opposite us by the end of the year, and Racing already moved in, it is becoming a busy community.

We have exciting times ahead of us and whilst we are now open for a minimum of three days a week, we are looking to try and open more days if possible. We are looking for volunteers to help with visitors and if you can spare a day or two from time to time, please do let us know.

The Trustees

Greg enlightened us all with his McLaren enthusiasm and MC John Tomlin did a very good job of trying to sell him Moving forward Roger Williams’ M8EF, complete with #51. In the last couple of months we have finally implemented two of our planned changes. Firstly, as you will read further on in this Orange Times, we have elected our new Chairman – Paul

Hunter. Whilst Paul has been on the Board since 2002, he has taken a back seat due to work commitments. However,

retirement has now seen him step up to the role and, as my nephew, I am delighted to have his family support and hands-on involvement.

Secondly, we have appointed a Manager for the Heritage Centre. I might add this was not an easy task as we needed someone with great office skills, knowledge of , who knows many of the motoring personalities and people, loves to chat with them, has a great sense of humour, and a personality to encompass all of this. We needed someone who we could trust with looking after all that is the Heritage Centre. It was a big ask, but we found her! After leading us all in a rendition of Happy Birthday, and his last official duty for us, we were sad to advise that trustee Whilst she was present at the Official Opening, it was her choice to just be in the background at that stage, looking, listening and Tony Roberts had resigned and was moving to Napier – a learning. We welcome Zeta Panton as that Manager and I little bit far for him to attend Trustee Meetings! personally am delighted with the way she is fitting in with all of us. We are a formidable bunch, along with all our volunteers We take this opportunity of again thanking Tony for all the and members, so please take the opportunity to say hello next years of hard work and keeping us supplied with various time you are passing or calling in to the Heritage Centre. “new” historic for display in conjunction with . All at no cost to the Trust. Jan McLaren

All Photos: Mark Donaldson 2

Bruce McLaren Trust

So, by 1976, he had to wind down the racing mainly because the

Vale time pressures meant he had to focus on his thriving engine th business. John Nicholson 18 September 2017

But by 1977 he returned to the powerboat racing and won the Born in October 1941, John Nicholson was another incredible New British title in 1979. In 1980 he had a major crash at the Zealander - he may have made just one grand prix start at GP and suffered 18 rib fractures and a punctured lung. But he Silverstone in 1975 but he won two World bounced back again to win the 1981, 1982 and 1983 British titles. Championships as an engine builder – what an achievement. John Another crash saw him eventually retire from boat racing and the was best known for those engine building skills and, of course, mid-80s saw him briefly run in the World Sportscar Championship known worldwide for founding Nicholson-McLaren engines, one of where several of the teams used his engines. the premier suppliers of DFV engines.

At the start of 1973 he went into partnership with the McLaren F1 1980 also saw Nicholson-McLaren become independent of the new

Team to prepare Cosworth DFV engines for the team. His skills McLaren International and the company turned its attention to powered to the title in 1974 and preparing engines for a range of other single seater and sports two years later. And John showed considerable ability himself in cars, historic F1 and hillclimb racing cars. Today the workload the lower ranks of motorsport beating many future stars but never includes the development of engines for the use of alternate fuels. had the time or finance to pursue that driving career. He had A wonderful legacy and a life time full of wonderful achievements followed his father into powerboat racing before moving into cars both behind the wheel and under the bonnet. and racing Lotus and single seaters.

Bruce would have been extremely proud of those associations and It was in 1969 that he headed to the UK in search of a future in the Nicholson-McLaren name. motorsport, along with many many other young Kiwi lads. It was

John’s reputation as an engine builder that earned him a job offer And therein lies another rather special story ………………. as told by from Bruce McLaren and he was put to work on the Can-Am and Jan McLaren. F5000 programmes.

I first met John some ten or fifteen years ago but only very briefly

He set up his own business under the Nicholson-McLaren name each time we saw each other. However, back around 2009 or and continued to service the F1 engines for McLaren throughout thereabouts, I had a most interesting conversation with a cousin the DFV era, whilst also supplying other F1 teams including on my mother’s side who told me of a connection to a John

Embassy Hill. Nicholson that had something to do with McLaren, and that he

was related by marriage. At the BRDC luncheon in Hamilton the

following January I went up to John and said something to the

effect that I had heard we were related. He looked at me as if I

had come from outer space and I got a fairly short shrift and a

“no, don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Okay”, said I, “had

better check my facts again”. I duly did so and, yes, I did have it

right. I emailed John and asked again, this time with the question

“was your mother Alma Moxham? If so, then yes, we are related.”

His instant response was “yes, that’s my mother.”

It turns out that one of our cousins is married to a Moxham and his grandfather and John’s grandfather were brothers. John’s delighted response was –

‘You mean that I can now say that Nicholson-McLaren is a family company?”. “Absolutely” said I, and we both burst out Photo: As supplied by John Steenson. John Nicholson in front laughing and thinking of what Bruce would have made of it, if only Having established himself in the UK, he rekindled his own racing he had known. We both agreed he was up there laughing his career, competing with a March in in 1971 and head off as well and John and I have addressed each other as then the following year he drove a and gained second place “Cousie” ever since. in the British Championship. He continued through to 1976. Throughout those years he tried to qualify for the British GP at So John, rest in peace Cousie. To his wife Jan, here in New but was thwarted by a collision. He made his only Zealand, and to his family in the UK, we offer our deepest start at Le Mans in the designed De Cadenet, sympathy and our thoughts are with you. equipped with his own DFV engine but crashed at 5am in the John’s life was celebrated by a service of Remembrance and morning when the suspension failed. He qualified and started in Farewell at Clarks Beach, and was attended by many the British GP at Silverstone but was one of the many drivers to friends, family and McLaren Old Boys and Girls. crash in the rain storm that stopped the race, and joined James Hunt in the pile of wrecked cars. It was to be his only F1 start. Jan McLaren 3 Bruce McLaren Trust

Vale Jim Kane, Life Member MCLAREN We have been very sad to receive that news that Jim Kane passed away in late October after battling Parkinson’s disease for some PIONEER. LEADER. FATHER. CHAMPION. years.

Back in 2002 I wrote in our newsletter about Jim becoming our American Agent and the following are some excerpts from that article:

“On our trip up to Elkhart Lake back in 2001, Trust Life member

Jim Kane drove up from Florida and joined us for the four day event. It was agreed during the following year that Jim would become our American Agent and, in the interim Jim has represented us at various events. At the Lake Mirror Classic Auto

Festival the chosen feature marque was McLaren and McLaren owner Harry Mathews from Denver very kindly agreed to take down to Florida, three of his McLarens. These were the 1965

M1A, the M6A and the 1972 M20. Also there, from the Prisma

Collection, was the 1974 McLaren M16C. The orange McLarens made a magnificent display along the lake edge and Jim organised a display stand of some of our merchandise.”

Jim Kane along with his wife, Annie Gooch, was a regular visitor to New Zealand over the years and in 2006, at Road America, he again joined us in setting up a display after making the non-stop road trip up from Florida. Many of you that were at Elkhart Lake that year will recall Jim’s enthusiasm for all things McLaren and his help with the event. His last visit to New Zealand was for the 2010 McLaren Festival and we all noticed his health was becoming challenging for him to manage.

We will all remember Jim with much fondness and the photo below was taken last year by fellow Trust member Peter

Donaldson – they called in to see Jim and Annie in Florida, en- route to Road America 2016. Yes, this is now available to add to your movie

Jan McLaren collection in DVD format. Get yours Now. Phone or email us to purchase.

$28.00 - New Zealand Region only

The documentary directed by Roger Donaldson, is an amazing true story of dream, believe and achieve.

Selected Critic Reviews:

“McLaren stands as more a celebration than sombre eulogy and should hold differing types of appeal to various generations.” – New Zealand Herald

“Taking a leaf out of Asif Kapadia's award-winning documentary Senna (2010), Donaldson offers a comprehensive account of the highs and lows in the man's short, yet fruitful career.” – HeyUGuys “McLaren is a fine documentary made by Ballarat-born NZ filmmaker Roger Donaldson.”

– The Australian

4 Bruce McLaren Trust

Paul Hunter Trustee Chairman

This photo shows my younger brother David and I enthralled looking at a Mercedes W195 Model with Bruce and Patty and I have a Cox Thimble-Drome W195

Mercedes similar to that, as well as a Cox Thimble-Drome

Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Paul Hunter, my Gurney Eagle that Bruce and Patty gave me for Christmas Book Signing - Kenny, with Michael Clark while Max Rutherford chats with a young fan mother Patricia (Pat) Hunter was Bruce's older sister, my in 73, and yes it still runs, and yes I still have the container Auntie Jan is Bruce's younger sister, and I have been a holding the gas (there is still gas in it) that the engine ran Trustee almost since the inception of the Bruce McLaren on, I never threw away anything, must be the Scottish Trust. blood in me!

I was 15 years old when Bruce tragically passed away and vividly remember my grandfather (Les) calling around home early one morning to tell Mum that Bruce had died at Goodwood. Life for us all changed at that moment, but I can always remember Bruce's laugh, his mannerism and his gait, and so importantly, how he has influenced so many people that he touched. It is that, that enabled us to set standards in our lives.

I am nearing 63 years old, semi-retired while running my

Coating Inspection and Consultancy Services business, Thimble-Drome Gurney Eagle having worked in the Paint Industry for 38 years and very happily married to my wife Kerrie for the last 42 years. We I am honoured to hold the position of Chairman, although have three children, Alan, Stacey and Amy (identical twins) there are only three Trustees we are a very effective team 4 grandchildren (Cody, Ava, Billie and Rome) and one Great looking forward to the challenges of ensuring that Bruce's Dane, Benson, life simply just gets better every day. Our legacy continues in the form of the Bruce McLaren Trust oldest grandson Cody, I have no doubt will follow in the Heritage Centre at Hampton Downs.

petrol head way of life, as he enjoys sitting on my

motorcycles (Grandad McLaren was first a motorcyclist, I look forward to greeting you at events planned at the

grass tracking Harley's in the 20's with his brother Ken). Heritage Centre.

Paul Hunter I have a 1922 Indian Scout (my Dad John rode a 1929

Indian Scout 101) a 1954 G18 AJS 500cc, a 1972 CB750K2

Honda and a 1974 GT550K Suzuki, as well as the 1928 Kevin & Jackie Model A Ford Tudor. And the latest acquisition, a 1972 Corvette Stingray.

Photos: as supplied by Paul, except for TD Gurney Eagle (internet)

5 Mick & Jody Bruce McLaren Trust

As promoted in this Issue of TOT, the McLaren M23 which is very dear to the Hulme family will soon be on display at the recently

opened Bruce McLaren Trust Heritage Centre at Hampton Downs.

This M23, being the first one to be built by BMMR, was driven by Knowing that you have probably already read elsewhere in this issue of The Orange Times of the sad passing of yet another great Denny Hulme for the whole of the 1973 F1 season, beginning th BMMR person, John Nicholson, we thought that it would be timely with placing 5 in the South African GP in March and ending with th to focus a little on the McLaren M23 F1 cars. John prepared the 4 place in the US GP in October. Denny won the Swedish GP in nd Cosworth Ford DFV engines for the M23 driven by Emerson it and came 2 in the annual British Race of Champions. Fittipaldi in 1974 to secure the F1 World Championship that year, This M23 was very special to Denny and it remained with BMMR the historic first F1 title for Bruce McLaren Motor Racing. As well until he was able to acquire it. It had been a show car after as for many McLaren race cars, John Nicholson also prepared the being rebuilt following 's huge accident in it during engines for James Hunt to capture the 1976 F1 Championship, the second-to-last race lap in August 1974 at the German GP at also driving a McLaren M23, a later built one of course. I might the Nurburgring. Coincidentally, it had been during the Friday add that, having travelled by train from Zurich (where I was practise for that same event that Kiwi driver (and BMT Trustee) working at the time) to Monza to watch the M23's in action for the had his serious crash when the suspension failed Italian GP that year, I was more than disappointed (not helped by on his Maki. Howden covers this in detail in his book. being surrounded by red caps and flags) that James Hunt had a DNF in that event!

For all McLaren enthusiasts in New Zealand, we are fortunate that this M23 has remained in NZ since the Hulme family parted John Nicholson was also himself competing in a single-seater at with it over 10 years ago and was to be seen in selected Historic selected events in 1974 and 1975 and, in planning to compete in events (even in Kiwi icon Rod Millen's now well-established more F1 events for 1976, had unsuccessfully sought to purchase a annual Leadfoot Festival at his Coromandel Peninsula property) particular M23, which was by now in “privateer hands”. before being acquired by a long-standing Bruce McLaren Trust Nevertheless, I am pleased to note that the Trust is in touch with Patron. the current owner of that particular M23 , which appears in selected Historic race events.

The 1974 F1 Championship winning M23 has long been in the collection at McLaren International and perhaps some of you may have also set your eyes on it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. However, with a lot of work yet to be done on our BMT M23 Register, I am not completely certain of the current ownership for the 1976 James Hunt F1 Championship winning M23. Yes, please do advise us if you know, with certainty.

Now, let's return to my report in the last TOT (#18) and the photo of Bruce under cover in an M7: “What on earth was Bruce up to?! If you can help us confirm details on exactly what was going on in this picture and where, we would love to hear from you.”

6 Bruce McLaren Trust

I had surmised that this photo might well have been taken during ‘Years Gone By’ September to November a wet practise for the March 1969 Race of Champions. Subsequently, a fellow BMT volunteer (who moved to NZ from September 1973 ) pointed out that the circuit was/is notorious First Formula 1 Pole Position for McLaren - in for heavy showers later in the day and it is equally possible that Canada - M19C, 24 Sept 1972 this photo may have been taken during the Day 2 practise preceding the South African GP on 1st March 1969. Indeed, in his October1967 Denny Hulme wins Formula 1 World Championship driving a post-race report for Autosport magazine, Bruce made specific Brabham, finishes third in Mexico to gain enough points to mention of the track washing effect of these rain showers win. affecting finding the best set-up for the car.

Also in relation to the item on the M7 F1 cars in TOT #18, I posed October 2003 the following question for our readers: “Through 1968 to during Greg Murphy set “The Lap of The Gods” fastest ever lap of early 1970, there were three M7A, one M7B, one M7C and one Bathurst in his Kmart Commodore VY. The time was 2:06.8594. The time was not bettered for seven years! M7D McLaren F1 cars created, but exactly how many of these Greg Murphy and co-driver won the race. evolved from a previous one?”

As many of you no doubt suspected, or perhaps knew, the short November 1967 First Can-Am series win for Bruce McLaren and the McLaren answer is not six. Originally, for 1968, there were three M7A's built and one of those was used to construct the M7B for the team driving the M6A-Chev. beginning of the 1969 season. Although there have been varying November 1970 opinions expressed over the years on the origin of the M7D, of Denny Hulme wins the Can-Am series in the McLaren M8D - vital significance to myself is that Bruce said in one of his letters 2nd win for Denny – 4th for McLaren. to his parents that it was built from another car. More about the

M7D another time. November 2001 First of four V8 Supercars round wins at Pukekohe for Greg Murphy.

November 2003 Greg Murphy with , & won the Bathurst 24 hour race in a 7 Litre Monaro.

Denny Hulme Display - on Now

Meanwhile, to keep you thinking about all these pre-1980 McLaren Don’t forget to come and have a look at the great tribute display for Denny’s 50th Anniversary, on until end of December. Greeta cars, please take a look at the last photo with this article: Yes, it Hulme has loaned some wonderful memorabilia, so take the is/was an M7, but which one, what happened, why and where? opportunity to visit the Heritage Centre and see these treasures. I'll cover this in a future Issue of TOT but I'm happy to say that, despite becoming the first driver ever to be ejected into low orbit from a 6-point harness in a F1 car, he survived and eventually moved to where he developed a successful business.

In the #17 Issue of TOT, I summarised the numbers of pre-1980

McLaren race cars built and under known current ownership. To take this a step further, the distribution around the world for the known currently owned ones may be of interest to our readers. Very simply, the present known ownership percentages by country/area are: UK plus Europe (including South Africa) 37%, North America 41%, New Zealand 12%, Other (mainly Australia) 7% & Destroyed 3%. Whilst these figures are based solely on the cars currently known to the Trust, they nevertheless should portray with reasonable accuracy the current distribution worldwide. Jens Fogelberg

Photos: BMT Archive Photo: Mark Donaldson

7 Bruce McLaren Trust

General News & links Current Calendar November 2017 Roger Wills and a very dapper . Photographer unknown An M8 Drive *Designates probable Trust involvement In this short video, gets a real buzz from driving rd th Warwick Mortimer’s McLaren M8E/F for a few laps of Hampton November 3 - 5 ITM Supercars, Pukekohe Park. Pukekohe Park. Includes F5000 Downs full International circuit. Round 1

The Movie Star Car November 11th – 12th The Austin Seven Special mockup car built at very short notice for MG Classic and F5000 Round 2. Circuit , Manfeild

the movie was recently featured in the news media. We noted that th th the bodyshell was recently sold on Trademe, realising around January 6 & 7 HRC Tasman Revival. Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, Taupo NZ$5500. Here is a photo of what was sold: th th *Jan 12 - 14 NZFMR Legends of Bathurst. Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Waikato th st Jan 20 – 21 HRC Tasman Revival. Hampton Downs Motorsport Park Historic Grand Prix F5000 Round 3. Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park

Jan 27-28th 2018 Castrol , F5000 Round 4. Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

rd th Feb 3 & 4 Leadfoot Festival. Millen Ranch, Hahei, Coromandel ‘Being Bruce’ Feb 2nd – 4th Latest from the Goodwood Road and Racing site. This video from Skope Classic, Mike Pero Motorsport Park, Christchurch. F5000 Motorsport Magazine: Driving the original M6A at Donnington Park, Round 5 with full commentary, by Dickie Meaden, contributing Editor. March 16th – 18th The McLaren 720S VHRR Phillip Island Classic, , Australia. F5000 Round 6 “The Ruthless Racers deliver a speed assassin to match and Porsche”. A first drive by Mark Ewing, Forbes contributor. I found this article quite interesting with its references back to Bruce and the early days.

Official Opening Shed 47 This video from The Fast Files provides a good short overview of

opening night on 30th October in case you were unable to attend, or have not already seen it.

Contact Us

Industrial Unit 3, 20 Hampton Downs Road, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Te Kauwhata 3782. PO Box 157, Pokeno 2440, New Zealand. Phone: 09 280 6594 Mobile: 027 289 7850 Email: david@bruce-.com

Roger Wills and a very dapper Scott Dixon. Photo: Mark Donaldson Editor: [email protected]

Photo: Mark Donaldson www.bruce-mclaren.com

8