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Post by charleselan on Aug 18, 2018 10:58:57 GMT
On Thursday late evening the UK television channel ITV4 aired the "McLaren" film. Although I have a copy I have not watched it, somewhat strangely. However I did watch the last 2/3rds of the TV showing and enjoyed it. Bruce really was an amazing fellow, quietly charismatic and a darn fine driver too. Probably at his best driving the big Can Am sports cars where he really seemed to "tiger" much more than when in an F1 vehicle. The latter exemplified in his maiden outing in the truly gorgeous McLaren M6A (my favourite). Prevented fro m taking up his grid slot because of a problem he started approx one minute behind the leaders, storming through the field waving his arm like crazy to get slower cars out of the way (no bleating down the radio in those days) including second place man Dan Gurney who he overtook in plumes of dust as he cut across the corner apex. Eventually race leader and team mate Denny Hulme made a very rare error spinning and damaging his car, Bruce went on to win, what a drive. Very poignant near the end when they retold the tale of his tragic passing at Goodwood, not one chap involved at the time who was interviewed for the film had a dry eye, even to this day. Such a terrible waste of a great man. Ending on a lighter moment there was some audio of Bruce himself telling of his plans to build a bamboo space frame car with square wheels, the latter feature to maximise tyre contact when going sideways   . |
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Post by chrisb on Aug 19, 2018 5:07:49 GMT
I seem to recollect this was mentioned some time ago JC, the end as you say is just so poignant and such a tragedy, especially how it happened, the devastation it caused and watching some of the real hard-arse people crumble is heart-wrenching, what made it worse for me was that I am completly unaware of anyone having a bad word to say about Bruce,
But to have gone through all that he had with his childhood illness - the loss of his friends, and how they coped with that says so much about him, there is a clip somewhere [is it on this documentary?] where Bruce is interviewed on Blue Peter about Jimmy's accident and again how he spoke says volumes about this unassuming - charismatic and hugely talented individual who is sorely missed and another one who changed the game
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Post by René on Aug 22, 2018 17:39:24 GMT
My wife gave me the McLaren documentary for my birthday earlier this year. It is really good indeed. Some wonderful footage and sometimes quite emotional. If you have an interest in racing it is a must see.
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Post by charleselan on Aug 23, 2018 12:22:35 GMT
My wife gave me the McLaren documentary for my birthday earlier this year. It is really good indeed. Some wonderful footage and sometimes quite emotional. If you have an interest in racing it is a must see. That was a great present René. I cannot believe that I had not watched it earlier even though I had a copy in my possession for months. As you mention some of the footage was wonderful, the clips of Bruce testing the Ford GT40 was brilliant. I also liked the footage of the Tasman Series with Bruce driving the Cooper, that was to all intent and purpose a McLaren and confirmed as much by those involved at the time. One can actually see the ancestry of that car in the McLaren M7A. It was with this car that Bruce was teamed with Timmy Mayer the very promising American driver and brother of Teddy. Tragically Timmy died in that Tasman series and it was at his funeral that Bruce McLaren made the very moving piece that has been attributed to Jim Clark's funeral. Bruce was an absolute star, a wonderful guy. |
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Post by Carl on Sept 9, 2018 19:44:02 GMT
On Thursday late evening the UK television channel ITV4 aired the "McLaren" film. Although I have a copy I have not watched it, somewhat strangely. However I did watch the last 2/3rds of the TV showing and enjoyed it. Bruce really was an amazing fellow, quietly charismatic and a darn fine driver too. Probably at his best driving the big Can Am sports cars where he really seemed to "tiger" much more than when in an F1 vehicle. The latter exemplified in his maiden outing in the truly gorgeous McLaren M6A (my favourite). Prevented fro m taking up his grid slot because of a problem he started approx one minute behind the leaders, storming through the field waving his arm like crazy to get slower cars out of the way (no bleating down the radio in those days) including second place man Dan Gurney who he overtook in plumes of dust as he cut across the corner apex. Eventually race leader and team mate Denny Hulme made a very rare error spinning and damaging his car, Bruce went on to win, what a drive. Very poignant near the end when they retold the tale of his tragic passing at Goodwood, not one chap involved at the time who was interviewed for the film had a dry eye, even to this day. Such a terrible waste of a great man. Ending on a lighter moment there was some audio of Bruce himself telling of his plans to build a bamboo space frame car with square wheels, the latter feature to maximise tyre contact when going sideways . John Charles,
Purely by good luck, I now have it on my DVR and have scheduled a viewing, most likely on Tuesday, with my difficult and despotic social secretary, Brunhilde. I was quite surprised to see the documentary listed just after midnight today on the Independent Film Channel, which normally presents art house type movies, so have a recording but not yet time to watch. I still remember the friendly smile with which Bruce McLaren shook the hand of a young race fan at Riverside.  Cheers, Carl |
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Post by René on Sept 9, 2018 22:30:08 GMT
On Thursday late evening the UK television channel ITV4 aired the "McLaren" film. Although I have a copy I have not watched it, somewhat strangely. However I did watch the last 2/3rds of the TV showing and enjoyed it. Bruce really was an amazing fellow, quietly charismatic and a darn fine driver too. Probably at his best driving the big Can Am sports cars where he really seemed to "tiger" much more than when in an F1 vehicle. The latter exemplified in his maiden outing in the truly gorgeous McLaren M6A (my favourite). Prevented fro m taking up his grid slot because of a problem he started approx one minute behind the leaders, storming through the field waving his arm like crazy to get slower cars out of the way (no bleating down the radio in those days) including second place man Dan Gurney who he overtook in plumes of dust as he cut across the corner apex. Eventually race leader and team mate Denny Hulme made a very rare error spinning and damaging his car, Bruce went on to win, what a drive. Very poignant near the end when they retold the tale of his tragic passing at Goodwood, not one chap involved at the time who was interviewed for the film had a dry eye, even to this day. Such a terrible waste of a great man. Ending on a lighter moment there was some audio of Bruce himself telling of his plans to build a bamboo space frame car with square wheels, the latter feature to maximise tyre contact when going sideways . John Charles, Purely by good luck, I now have it on my DVR and have scheduled a viewing, most likely on Tuesday, with my difficult and despotic social secretary, Brunhilde. I was quite surprised to see the documentary listed just after midnight today on the Independent Film Channel, which normally presents art house type movies, so have a recording but not yet time to watch. I still remember the friendly smile with which Bruce McLaren shook the hand of a young race fan at Riverside. Cheers, Carl You will enjoy the documentary Carl. It is very well made with some wonderful historic footage. |
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Post by Carl on Sept 12, 2018 4:41:00 GMT
I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary, well done throughout, perfect in places. The Can-Am sequence from Mosport in which Bruce McLaren started well behind after a last-minute problem was fun to watch. He passed Gurney at Turn 3 with, as John Charles wrote, two wheels in the dirt. The great sadness there only three years later was also beautifully presented. The terrible black skid marks leading to the Marshall's Post at Goodwood seem entirely evil when their deeper meaning is contemplated. One or two seconds earlier or later for the wing to collapse and Bruce McLaren would likely be here today. He missed many great achievements of Team McLaren already in place and put into motion by his sharp intelligence, engineering instincts and great leadership.
I was in Europe that summer, arriving not long after his death. I had hoped to see my Can-Am hero in Formula One and mourned his absence at the Italian Grand Prix as much as that of Jochen Rindt.
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Post by charleselan on Nov 1, 2018 17:05:12 GMT
I am in what is often called by some that do not understand, a "rivet counting mood". During the past few years I have been moved to wonder why Bruce McLaren's goggles appear strange in photographs of his memorable win at Spa in the Belgian GP of 1968 driving his gorgeous M7A. His goggles just do not look right and it is more than a trick of the light; and most of the photos I had seen were from quite a distance. The other day I came across a close up picture, and several others that showed the reason for this apparent irregularity. Sadly the one which really shows up his goggles in close up evades me at this time but the others attached do show what is happening. It can be clear;y seen that for this race Bruce removed the tape normally applied to the upper part of the lease to shield the light, and strangely applied some to the lower section of the goggles instead. I have never seen anyone else do this and he only did it at this race. I also attach a picture taken earlier that season when Bruce won the non championship race of Champions at Brands Hatch.    |
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Post by mikael on Nov 2, 2018 11:50:28 GMT
I am in what is often called by some that do not understand, a "rivet counting mood". It can be clear;y seen that for this race Bruce removed the tape normally applied to the upper part of the lease to shield the light, and strangely applied some to the lower section of the goggles instead. I have never seen anyone else do this and he only did it at this race. I also attach a picture taken earlier that season when Bruce won the non championship race of Champions at Brands Hatch. JC, it's interesting nonetheless. I came across the photo attached below, where there's tape on both underside and upper side. My guess is that the tape on the lower part has been applied to eliminate annoying sunlight reflection from something in the cockpit; maybe the chrome rings surrounding the instruments (rev counter, etc.), or the glass covering the instruments - or perhaps from the rear mirrors.  (The photo is from 1968 but the place/location is not given in the sources: www.1000museums.com/art_works/staff-bruce-mclaren-1968?artist_id=&from=artistswww.magnoliabox.com/products/bruce-mclaren-1968-js56419575 ) |
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Post by robmarsh on Nov 2, 2018 14:43:41 GMT
I never even knew he did that. Another thing I have learnt from this forum. With regard to the lower section of tape, that may be to do with reducing reflection and so providing better vision. Animals lower down the food chain in Africa eg buck, have a darker patch of hair just under their eyes to cut out reflection and so give them a better chance of spotting danger. Likewise, American football players pit that smudge under each eye to improve vision.
What I also found interesting was how neat Bruce had cut the tape to fit the lens perfectly. I mark of the man.
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Post by charleselan on Nov 2, 2018 17:40:14 GMT
Some great replies Mikael & Rob. It is indeed very unusual for drivers to have taped up the lower section of their goggles and as you both suggest it had to be related to glare or something similar. Bruce was also quite unique in the fact that he rarely used a peak (visor for those in the USA) on his helmet at that time, a trait that began around mid season 1962.
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Post by chrisb on Nov 5, 2018 7:46:56 GMT
are we sure the likes of MotorSport and Autosport don't monitor our words?
I ask as Autosport has just done an online article on the late great Bruce, a really nice little tribute but quite unexpected.
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Post by charleselan on Nov 5, 2018 17:31:37 GMT
are we sure the likes of MotorSport and Autosport don't monitor our words? I ask as Autosport has just done an online article on the late great Bruce, a really nice little tribute but quite unexpected. In all honesty Chris, I doubt that they do. Don't forget there are many; many forums like ours out there in the land of the internet. I am not associated or interested in any of them but often one finds that when doing a Pinterest search or similar you get directed to some obscure forum from far and wide. Maybe Autosport felt the need to feature Bruce, just to remind everyone about this once great team, and not the flaming shambles it is right now. They had a chance to re-establish themselves with the Honda power unit supply but thanks to the crass decision by the guy in charge, and no doubt influenced by the man who could not build a team around him, Teflonso, they are mired in mediocrity. |
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Post by René on Nov 5, 2018 20:37:12 GMT
are we sure the likes of MotorSport and Autosport don't monitor our words? I ask as Autosport has just done an online article on the late great Bruce, a really nice little tribute but quite unexpected. John Charles is probably right but there are moments I have the same feeling Chris. Mark Hughes knows of our existence, doesn't he?  |
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Post by Carl on Nov 5, 2018 23:50:20 GMT
are we sure the likes of MotorSport and Autosport don't monitor our words? I ask as Autosport has just done an online article on the late great Bruce, a really nice little tribute but quite unexpected. John Charles is probably right but there are moments I have the same feeling Chris. Mark Hughes knows of our existence, doesn't he? If so, we may never know. Has anyone spotted Mark Zuckerberg lurking about nearby? Rob mentioned he's having a tooth replaced. Can all dentists be trusted? I'm due for an implant soon and plan to pay close attention for any signs of sinister intent by mine. If the implant beeps, I'll know... -anonymous |
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