McLaren Entering Own Grand Prix Car

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30943, 27 December 1965, Page 12

McLaren Entering Own Grand Prix Car

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —Copyright)

LONDON.

The New Zealand racing driver, Bruce McLaren, is building his own 1966 grand prix racing car, and it is already showing some of the most intriguing ideas.

It is made of sandwich of balsa wood between two thin skins of aluminium, produced by the firm which made the wooden 400 rn.p.h. Mosquito bomber of the last war.

The ideas come from a former aircraft designer, Mr Robin Herd, working with McLaren.

It will have a V 8 engine developed from the Ford Indianapolis-winning engine. Britain’s 1966 grand prix racing cars also are now taking shape in factories and workshops around the outskirts of London and in the ; Midlands. Contrary to fears expressed when the new 3-litre formula was first announced, when some established manufacturers threatened to withdraw, it is now certain that there will be more British

.the South African grand prix | in January. A New Zealander, Denis Hulme, will be Brabham’s partner during the 1966 season. Brabham plans to play a ■ "waiting game” with the new 300 b.h.p. Repco engine. ) “It will give us experience of what is required under the jnew 3-litre formula,” he said. ) “We want to see, for example, how the B.R.M. engine 'goes. We cannot risk buying )four of the Repco’s at £7OOO )each and then find teething | troubles.”

models racing next year than, at the height of the Ij-litre formula. The main British efforts as new engines prove themselves will come in 1967, while hopes next year rest mainly on B.R.M.'s new 16-cylinder which they have also offered to other constructors. Jackßrabham, of Australia,: however, has chosen an I Australian-made Repco V 8 engine to power his cars. The first car, now nearing' completion at Brabham’s gar ! age in Byfieet, Surrey, is ex-i pected to make its debut at I