McLAREN CAN-AM CARS RE UNITE

A STEP BACK IN TIME BUT IN HIGH DEFINITION

Almost 50 years after Mclaren’s historymaking 1969 season in which it won every race, a full grid of Canadian-American Challenge Cup cars, including eight Mclarens, was reunited to race at Laguna Seca in California. Mclaren Automotive used this occasion to create an interesting video piece, which is now on Youtube.

The small documentary-style item features some very worthy historic Mclaren Can-am cars. These cars appear in their original livery, complete with original drivers’ names still emblazoned on the side.

The video features one of Denny Hulme’s 1971 machines, an 8.1-litre Chev V8 producing 744hp (555kw), which is well worth a look. The current owner and driver explains the engineering challenges involved in keeping the monster running — and it’s likely that driving it would be even more difficult.

Another featured car is a 1967 M6A/3. This car was originally entered by Roger Penske, who is also co-owner of DJR Team Penske, which New Zealanders Scott Mclaughlin and Fabian Coulthard drive for today in the Aussie Supercars series. This seven-litre car produces a slightly more manageable 700hp (522kw), but the driver uses some very colourful language to explain some of his inner emotions as he drives the car.

Two other featured cars have strong local connections. One has raced in historic events here, and another is the 1967 Can-am championship–winning car that Bruce Mclaren raced.

The Mclaren Automotive–produced documentary is well worth a look. Just search ‘Mclaren’s amazing Can-am cars reunite at Laguna’ on Youtube.