The Bruce McLaren Trust

Sir,

We felt compelled to respond to the article in your magazine headed ‘McLaren Can-Am Can to Star at Goodwood Festival’. Although we commend and support Goodwood commemorating Bruce McLaren (my uncle) and Team McLaren’s success, we take issue with comments regarding running a recreated M8B. The article infers it is acceptable to run a replica because the originals do not exist. This is incorrect. Both Team M8Bs survive, one in the USA and one in New Zealand. Mr Frederick has been quoted in other publications as saying the Team M8Bs do exist, so we question the motives of now stating that they do not.

The Bruce McLaren Trust believes no credibility should be given to replicas at historic events and especially not at Goodwood. We have expressed these views to the Festival organisers. The Trust endeavours in future to catalogue all ‘real’ McLarens, both Team and Trojan, and to maintain records.

There has been a proliferation of clones, fakes, replicas for some time, but for Goodwood to put a stamp of approval on this practice by bringing one to Europe is, in our opinion, the thin end of the wedge. We note there are comparable McLaren M8s available in Europe and even locally in Great Britain which could have been invited.

I AM, YOURS, ETC

Paul Hunter, Executive Committee Chairman, Bruce McLaren Trust, New Zealand