Bruce McLaren: From The Cockpit

by Bruce McLaren

Originally published in 1964, Bruce McLaren's autobiography From the Cockpit is a classic motor racing memoir. So scarce and expensive are original copies that Evro Publishing, in collaboration with McLaren, is reissuing a facsimile version for all fans to enjoy. In his own words, Bruce describes his inspiring climb up the ladder of motor racing success, culminating in the inception of Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Ltd in 1963. Engaging to read, his book provides fascinating insight into not only his accomplishments but also his unique character, charm and tenacity. In his own words, 'Life is measured in achievement, not in years alone.' Overcoming childhood a rare disease stopped Bruce walking for two years and meant long spells in hospital. Early competition in New Zealand with a modified Austin Seven. The recipient of New Zealand's first ';Driver to Europe' scheme, his results in his first season away from home included fifth place in the 1958 German Grand Prix with a works Cooper. McLaren became the youngest Grand Prix winner in the 1959 United States GP for Cooper, as team-mate to Jack Brabham in the year the Australian won his first World Championship title. The ups and downs of his life in Formula 1 up to the end of 1963, from winning at Monaco in 1962 to crashing at the Nurburgring and ending up in hospital - where the idea for this book was born. The story concludes with the formation of his own team, initially to run modified Cooper chassis, and Bruce's emotional victory in the 1964 New Zealand Grand Prix.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography, Sports

280 pages, Hardcover

Published January 9, 2018

About the author

Bruce Leslie McLaren.

Racing car designer, driver, engineer and inventor.

Reviews

[João Antunes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit disappointed with this book. Thought with would be the progress of Bruce trought the years until him creates McLaren racing.
The book starts good with the story of how him and his dad would race in Australia, and how he got his shot in racing in Europe. But after that the book is just him talking about his races, and it's very repetitive, it's always: who starts the race, who won, who died, who had a crash and who retired.

[FellowBibliophile KvK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb book by one of Formula 1's legends! Great look at the pre-Ecclestone era of Formula 1, when transport between GPs was improvisational and when drivers had to do everything by themselves.

Bruce explains a lot of the technical aspects of F1, like over and under-steering, and slipstreaming, and he does so in a thoroughly accessible fashion that anyone without a background in physics or engineering can readily understand.

Bruce also gives a lot of practical advice on problem solving, such as examining the problem and analysing it for as long as it takes to make sense to you.

Also a story of overcoming, both on the scale of New Zealand, at the time, not being a resource-rich country and of Bruce overcoming illness.

[Rick Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given it 5 stars if it did not end at 1963! What an amazing racing life he had to that point. It should be required for every F1 driver now, to show them how hard it was back then.
If you enjoy this you should also read; McLaren - the Man the Cars and The Team by Eoin S. Young, and The Last Season by Jeanne Beeching.

[David Wake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inside Racing

The amount of knowledge that a racing driver needs to know is unbelievable, not just to drive 150 mph and know when the next bend is coming. but to know every mechanical and electrical parts and to design and test the car.

[MxMorden · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★