You were there

This month we have rare behind-the-scenes footage from McLaren circa 1978, and Tasman Series action from Warwick Farm in the late ’60s

David Munro

Before starting college, David spent a season working as a factory ‘gofer’ for McLaren in 1978. “It was fantastic working with famous names like Gordon Coppuck and Teddy Mayer,” he recalls. “McLaren were the only firm to ever pay me to wield a spanner!”

{1} David on a ‘back to front’ bike made using bits of old Hewland gearbox – “if you steered one way it went the other”.
{2} Mechanics’ cars outside Colnbrook base during Dutch GP weekend.
{3} Mayer has a word with Gary Anderson and Leo Wybrott, as John Hornby works on M26E gearbox.
{4} M28 under construction in the workshop.
{5} McLaren’s jokey tribute to Bruno Giacomelli.
{6} James Hunt in the pits at Brands Hatch; he spun out of the race.

Brian McInerney

Professional snapper Brian’s shots are from the Tasman Series of races at Warwick Farm, Sydney between 1967-69.

{1} Stirling Moss chats to Jim Clark before start of ’68 race. Clark led dominant Lotus 1-2 in 49T to take series lead from Chris Amon.
{2} Jack Brabham on grid before ’67 race – he’d been troubled by fuel injection and handling problems in qualifying.
{3} A wet ignition aboard Hill’s Lotus 49T spoiled his race in ’69. He finished last but had the consolation of fastest lap.
{4} & {7} Clark (Lotus 33) could not better Jackie Stewart in ’67 race, but still led the series points by 30-18.
{5} Stewart, on new Dunlops, had set a blistering pace in qualifying and the race aboard BRM P261.
{6} Hill and friends at ’68 race. He qualified and raced to second behind Lotus team-mate Clark.
{8} Reigning World Champion Brabham started and finished fourth in BT23A in ’67.