[Book Review] Bruce McLaren – From the Cockpit

Bruce McLaren – From the Cockpit

By Bruce McLaren

Although in very recent years the domination of the McLaren F1 Racing Team has faded in the wake of the dominant Red Bull and Mercedes outfits, there is a certain reverence to the name and the team. Over time, generations may forget the roots of this famous marque, which makes EVRO Publishing’s reprint of Bruce McLaren’s famous “From the Cockpit” book so refreshing. Published over 50 years ago it is still an incredible read. In his own words, McLaren tells of his struggle to beat an illness that could have defeated him at the first hurdle and denied motor racing fans of a “true grit” hero. McLaren tells of his rise in the New Zealand national racing series to win the “Driver to Europe” scheme, which projected him into the glare of international racing at its highest level. Lastly, the book concludes with the formation of the McLaren racing team and his winning the 1964 New Zealand Grand Prix. Of course, the character, style and wit of the man shine through the passages and chapters of this, in my opinion, excellent book.

Is this something that the current generation are interested in? I believe there is a market for this book, although it may be limited to McLaren aficionados and those of a certain age who can remember the man responsible for those wonderful orange- colored racing machines—particularly the F1, Can-Am and Indy cars—rather than the Marlboro cigarette dayglow red and white Grand Prix machines. For the relatively small cover price, this book will transport the reader back to an era before F1 became commercial and was more about the driver’s camaraderie and friendly rivalry than the internal warfare and politicking of the current world champions—take a step back in time!