The 1959 Season with the T45 Cooper-Climax
1959 was notable year for several events. One was the appearance of Bruce on the major records sheets when he won the United States Grand Prix for Coopers at Sebring and finishing sixth in the World Championship. Another was the emergence of an unknown, Denny Hulme. Bruce was still classified as a New Zealand driver in the early part of the year (he was not to join the Copper works team until the European season), Bruce won the racing Gold star, a suitable ending to a full year of highly successful racing in both Europe and New Zealand.

The New Zealand series saw Bruce helped by Jack Brabham, below are photos of Bruce's 1959 year in New Zealand before heading to Europe.
 

Bruce and his father "Pop" McLaren with the 1959 T45 Cooper Climax

Bruce and his father Pop McLaren with the T45 Cooper Climax

 

Bruce & Jack Brabham looking over the 1959 T45 Cooper Climax

Bruce & Jack looking over the T45 Cooper Climax

Bruce and Jack Brabham with the 1959 T45 Cooper Climax

Bruce and Jack with their sponsors

 

Bruce driving the T45 Cooper in the 1959 International GP at Ardmore, New Zealand. Bruce finished third behind Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss.

Bruce driving the T45 Cooper to third place at Ardmore 1959

 

 

The Winners podium at the 6th International GP 1959, Ardmore, New Zealand. Bruce McLaren 3rd place, Jack Brabham 2nd place and Stirling Moss 1st place.

podium_ardmore_59.JPG (20532 bytes)

 

 

Bruce driving to victory at the 1959 Waimate 50 race in New Zealand.

Bruce driving the T45 Cooper to victory at the Waimate 50 race in 1959
 

Bruce on the winners podium at the Waimate 50 race in 1959.

Bruce with the winners laurel Waimate 50 1959
Bruce accepting the Winners trophy at the Teretonga International GP, New Zealand in 1959.

Bruce accepting the H.E. Melhop Trophy from Mr A. Walmsley 1959

After a successful season Bruce returned to the UK on the 14th March 1959 to compete in the Formula 1 series after being classified by the International Automobile Federation as a "Grade A" driver for 1960.

Bruce returning to the UK to compete in the European series
Eventual winner Bruce McLaren fights his Cooper Climax through the S turns on the Sebring 5.2 mile circuit.  Following Bruce through the tricky turns are Jack Brabham (car #8) and Phil Hill (car #5).

The US Grand Prix - Sebring 1959

 Sebring - US Grand Prix - by winning this race Bruce became the youngest driver ever to win a Grand Prix at the age of 22, this record stands today and is recorded in the Guiness Book of Records.

 Bruce with the winners trophy - Sebring 1959

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