This article was originally published in 2016.
Motorsport aficionados and McLaren fans know only too well that today, June 2, marks the 50th anniversary of the death of the team’s founder Bruce McLaren. The Kiwi racer, engineer, innovator and inspiration to the small crew in his tutelage was testing one of his M8D Can-Am monsters at Goodwood on that fateful day in 1970, leaving a lasting legacy.
In this emotional film, beautifully stitched together by McLaren back in 2010, one of Bruce’s very earliest allies, American Tyler Alexander, and one of his key designers, Gordon Coppuck, recall fondly the impression the boss made on them both.
Alexander, who died in January 2016, aged 75, recalls the phone call he received in America telling him his partner had died, while Coppuck reflects on gathering the troops together back at base in England to impart the news.
While the two McLaren ‘lifers’ reminisce, an immaculate M8D, exactly like the one in which Bruce lost his life, is being prepared for a fire-up by the team of craftsmen – led by fellow team veteran Neil Trundle – charged with preserving the back catalogue of McLaren worldbeaters.
If today’s date means anything to you or you have an affinity with Goodwood, we’re pretty confident you’ll find this short tribute to a racing great fairly moving.
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