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  1. 2nd June 2010, 14:10 #1
    WRCfan
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    R.I.P. Bruce McLaren

    Wanted to start a thread to honour another one of Formula One's fallen heroes.

    Today marks the 40th anniversary of the passing of New Zealander Bruce McLaren. Tragically killed when testing his Can-Am car at Goodwood. Rear aero on the car came off causing the car to leave the track at full speed and slam into a flag marshall post. Bruce was killed instantly.

    It may be 40 years since his death although the legacy lives on, the name is just as famous and well regarded as it ever was in New Zealand and I am sure all around the world.

    Rest in peace Bruce, New Zealand's real 'speedy kiwi'.

    30 August 1937 – 2 June 1970

    "It's the most fun you can have with your pants on" - Possum Bourne
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  2. 2nd June 2010, 17:07 #2
    UltimateDanGTR
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    RIP. He gave us a great legacy in the Mclaren team, and together with denny hulme the two greatest exploits from new zealand on the world motor racing stage.

    A legend lives on in our memories.
    Congratulations Sebastian Vettel. Champion of the season of seasons.
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  3. 2nd June 2010, 17:55 #3
    F1boat
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    RIP. I haven't watched him drive, but I know very well his team, one of the greatest in F1 history.
    Formula 1
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  4. 2nd June 2010, 22:16 #4
    Easy Drifter
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    He was one you never expected it to happen to. Very fast and smooth but always seemed to just leave a little margin for error.
    A super nice person too. I knew him only slightly but he was always approachable.
    www.thegarageblog.com
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  5. 2nd June 2010, 22:27 #5
    steveaki13
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    F1 has been shaped massively by his career and legacy.
    Wouldn't be anything like the same without Bruce Mclaren. RIP.
    I still exist and still find the forum occasionally. Busy busy
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  6. 2nd June 2010, 22:34 #6
    Cooper_S
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    Apart from lending his name to the team that still bares it, the actual success of the McLaren F1 team is down to Ron Dennis.
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  7. 2nd June 2010, 22:59 #7
    WRCfan
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    F1 was just a part of what Bruce was about, dominating the Can-Am series with Hulme, and Revson, as well as racing at Indy. All pretty much happening around a similar timeframe.

    Ron Dennis has shaped the modern McLaren team, although as a kiwi I think of Bruce and the historic 'McLaren orange' cars come to mind, as well as the M8D Can-Am cars...
    "It's the most fun you can have with your pants on" - Possum Bourne
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  8. 3rd June 2010, 03:29 #8
    Ari
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    RIP.

    I'm not a McLaren (team) fan but I appreciate their being in the sport and the incredible rivalry Ferrari have had with them over the years.

    Thanks for all you gave Bruce!

    RIP.
    Ayrton Senna, Legend. R.I.P.

    \"If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver. Because we are competing. We are competing to win. And the main motivation to all of us is to compete for a victory. It is not to come third, fourth, fifth or sixth. I race to win\".
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  9. 3rd June 2010, 03:34 #9
    D28
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    I'm shocked to realize it has been 40 years since that sad day. An intuitive engineer and set-up technician, I believe he was somewhat underestimated as a driver, especially in sportscars. He really could hound those Can-Am cars around Mosport as quickly as anyone. Around 1960, Cooper had 2 of the all time best engineering drivers on their F1 team, one of the reasons for their success.
    R.I.P. Bruce.
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  10. 3rd June 2010, 07:09 #10
    WRCfan
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    A great tribute to Bruce: http://www.youtube.com/user/Official.../0/9ZHMjdzw0w0

    A minute's noise. Firing up the old M8D Can-Am car as a tribute.

    Love the noise...
    "It's the most fun you can have with your pants on" - Possum Bourne
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