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A photo of Bruce McLaren by Lothar Spurzem –

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Bruce McLaren

Bruce Leslie McLaren was born on 30 August 1937 in Auckland, New Zealand. Bruce was a New Zealand racing car designer, driver, engineer, and inventor. His name lives on in the McLaren team which has been one of the most successful in Formula One championship history.

They won a total of 8 World Constructors’ Championships and 12 World Drivers’ Championships. McLaren cars dominated CanAm sports car racing with 56 wins. A considerable number of them were with him behind the wheel, between 1967 and 1972.

Also, they have won three Indianapolis 500 races, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 12 Hours of Sebring. In the article, are the top ten interesting facts about Bruce McLaren.

1. Bruce was diagnosed with Perthes disease in his hip when he was 9 years

A photo of Bruce McLaren by Panini –

Perthes disease, also called Legg-Calv茅-Perthes disease, is a rare condition of the hip that affects only children. It develops when there is a temporary loss of blood supply to the rounded head of the femur (thigh bone) 鈥� the 鈥渂all鈥� part of the 鈥渂all and socket鈥� hip joint.

Perthes disease is rare, afflicting about one in 10,000 children. Perthes disease usually affects children between the ages of four and eight years, but the range can extend to between two and 12 years old. Both hips are affected in up to 15% of children.

Perthes disease is five times more common in boys than in girls. Perthes disease often affects children who are very active, even athletic. Children tend to be smaller than average for their age. When Bruce was 9 he was diagnosed with Perthes disease in his hip. This caused his left leg to be shorter.

2. Bruce developed his passion for racing when he visited his parent’s workshop

Les and Ruth McLaren are the parents of Bruce McLaren. They owned a service station and workshop in Remuera Rd, Remuera, Auckland. Les McLaren, his father, had been a motorcycle racing enthusiast.

However, Les gave up motorcycle racing due to an injury before Bruce’s birth. He began racing cars at the club level instead. Bruce spent all of his free hours hanging around the workshop and developed his passion during his formative years.

3. Bruce used Austin 7 Ulster when he was 14

A photo of a replica of Austin 7 Ulster by SG2012 –

The Austin 7 is an economy car that was produced from 1923 until 1939 in the United Kingdom by Austin. It was nicknamed the “Baby Austin” and was at that time one of the most popular cars produced for the British market and sold well abroad.

The effect of Austin 7 Ulster on the British market was similar to that of the Model T Ford in the US. It replaced most other British economy cars and cyclecars of the early 1920s. Les McLaren restored an Austin 7 Ulster, which 14-year-old Bruce used in 1952 when he entered his first competition, a Hillclimb.

4. Bruce was noticed by Australian driver Jack Brabham in 1958

A photo of Jack Brabham by Unknown Author –

Bruce McLaren was taking part in the 1958 New Zealand Grand Prix. The New Zealand Grand Prix is sometimes known as the New Zealand International Grand Prix. It is an annual motor racing event held in New Zealand.

First held in 1950, it is best known for hosting rounds of the Tasman Series in the 1960s and 1970s. It is currently run as the signature race of the Toyota Racing Series. So, Jack Brabham noticed Bruce’s superb skills in racing.

Later, Jack Brabham invited Bruce McLaren to drive for him. Because of his obvious potential, the New Zealand International Grand Prix organization selected him for its ‘Driver to Europe’ scheme designed to give a promising Kiwi driver year-round experience with the best in the world.

5. Bruce was the first driver to be chosen for the Brabham team

A photo of Denny Hulme by Lothar Spurzem –

Bruce was specifically highlighted and chosen by Jack Brabham to join his team. He must have been a special talent despite being victimized by the Perthes disease which caused his left leg to be short.

McLaren was the first recipient, to be followed by others later including Denny Hulme. Denny Hulme was a New Zealand racing driver who won the 1967 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship for the Brabham team.

6. McLaren joined the Cooper factory F1 team alongside Jack Brabham in 1959

McLaren went to Cooper and stayed seven years. Before joining F1, Bruce was working with the F2 and was entered in the Germany Grand Prix the N眉rburgring in which F2 and F1 cars competed together.

McLaren confounded the F2 team after finishing 5th overall and the first in F2. Bruce won the 1959 United States Grand Prix at age of 22 years 104 days while racing for F1.

7. He became the youngest Grand Prix winner in 1959

A photo of Fernando Alonso by Ann64 –

After joining F1 Bruce competed in the 1959 United States Grand Prix. He won the racing competition at the age of 22 years 104 days becoming the youngest ever GP winner up to that time. This record remained unbroken for more than four decades until Fernando Alonso’s victory at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix.

8. Bruce is the founder of Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Limited

A photo of McLaren M9 on Display by Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK –

McLaren Racing Limited is a British motor racing team based at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England. McLaren is best known as a Formula One constructor, the second oldest active team.

The team is also the second most successful Formula One team after Ferrari, having won 183 races, 12 Drivers’ Championships, and 8 Constructors’ Championships. The team was founded one year later after Bruce won the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix.

The team remains in the Formula One championship simply as McLaren. McLaren continued to race and win in Coopers. However, McLaren left Cooper at the end of 1965 He announced his GP racing team, with co-driver and fellow Kiwi Chris Amon.

9. Bruce made his winning debut with his car in 1968

A photo of Bruce McLaren by El Gr谩fico –

McLaren took his fourth career win racing his own McLaren car at Spa in 1968, achieving the team’s first Grand Prix win. Hulme won twice in the McLaren-Ford. The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps which is frequently referred to as Spa is a 7.004 km motor-racing circuit located in Stavelot, Belgium.

It is the current venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix, hosting its first Grand Prix in 1925, and has held a Grand Prix every year since 1985. Take note that it is in 2003 and 2006 that the Spa has not hosted the Grand Prix.

10. Bruce McLaren died in a car accident

A photo of Waikumete Cemetery where Bruce was buried by Slow Burn –

Bruce McLaren died at 32 years when his Can-Am car crashed on the Lavant Straight just before Woodcote corner at Goodwood Circuit in England on 2 June 1970. He had been testing his new McLaren M8D when the rear bodywork came adrift at speed.

The loss of aerodynamic downforce destabilized the car, which spun, left the track, and hit a bunker used as a flag station. Bruce McLaren was buried at Waikumete Cemetery in Glen Eden.