Motorsport: McLaren name will live on in Taupo

Richard Izard

The Taupo Motorsport Park is changing its name to honour motorsport legend Bruce McLaren.

It will be renamed the Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park after owners TMP concluded arrangements with Patricia and Amanda McLaren, widow and daughter of the late McLaren.

UK-based Amanda , who with Patricia is the heir and owner of Bruce McLaren's name and image, is delighted her late father's name is now linked to a New Zealand motorsport facility.

"This is just such a wonderful tribute to a late husband and father and we are so looking forward to seeing the plans the park has for the future," she said. "A motorsport recognition such as this in my father's home country has been a long time coming."

"While McLaren's career highlights were outside New Zealand, the TMP Board is delighted that Patricia and Amanda have given their recognition to the Taupo circuit, the only FIA Grade Two track in New Zealand," said TMP chairman Richard Izard.

McLaren, the New Zealand race-car designer, driver and engineer was a winner of four World Championship Formula 1 Grand Prix. He also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 alongside fellow Kiwi Chris Amon, the Can-Am Challenge Cup and was the first driver to win the Tasman Cup in 1964 against Sir Jack Brabham, Graham Hill and long-time teammate, Denny Hulme. He died at Goodwood Circuit in England in June 1970 while testing one of his cars.

He founded Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Limited in 1963 and his name lives on in the McLaren Technology Group which includes McLaren Racing and the high-performance sports car business, McLaren Automotive. McLaren has been one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history, winning 20 world championships and over 180 races.

McLaren cars totally dominated Can Am sports car racing between 1967 and 1972 with five championships, two of them taken by another Kiwi, the late Denny Hulme who also won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1967. McLaren cars have won three Indianapolis 500 races, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.