Bruce McLaren

New Zealand born race-car champion in Canada-America 1967 and 1969; winner of the first U.S. Grand Prix, 1959; winner of the 1966 Le Mans 24-Hours (with Amon); winner of the 1967 Sebring 12 Hours (with Andretti).

Motor Racing was in McLaren’s blood. His dad drove petrol tankers before opening a Service Station in Remuera in late 1936, just before Bruce, his second child, was born. He had two sisters. As a kid he learned how to broadside around shop corners on two wheels of his tricycle, becoming a pest such as borrowing mechanics spanners just when they needed them to repair his "racing machine."

In 1946, Bruce was diagnosed with a hip joint problem, Perthes Disease, that had originated from a fall. He left school and spent two years in the Wilson Home in Takapuna on a Bradford Frame until 1949 when he was allowed to go home on crutches. He started correspondence school with a tutor and then in 1951 had his first year at Seddon Technical Memorial College with an Engineering Course.

His dad had always shown great skill in his motorcycle racing days and now was becoming very interested in Motor Car Racing. When he arrived at the garage one day with a truck full of boxes of spare parts and towing the "Austin Ulster," Bruce’s motor racing career began. His mum had to put up with dad and Bruce at her kitchen table covered in bits and pieces of the engine during meals.

He got his driver’s license at 15 and he carved out figure eights around the fruit trees in the back yard, his early and wonderful days of local hill climbs - Gymkhana’s - Sprint meetings. It was a great day when he was allowed to race his dad’s Austin Healey at Ardmore, then graduating to a Bob Tail Cooper. He was sponsored by racer Jack Brabham when he was selected as "Driver to Europe" by NZIGP Association. His next two years at University studies were put on hold and a new life started.