McLaren Racing 1974

My association with McLaren Racing was not quite over.  I had arrived back in the UK late in 1973 ( on holiday I thought ) to show my wife Laraine some of the places and maybe I suppose, some of the circuits that I apparently kept talking about!  I suppose it was inevitable that I had to go and see the lads at the factory and guess what the greeting was -  “you are just the guy we need!”

For the 1974  F1 season McLaren was committed to running two separate independent teams.  A two car team for Hulme and Fittipaldi with new sponsorship from Texaco, together with a one car team with Mike Hailwood driving under the old Yardley sponsorship.  The outcome of my so called ‘quick visit’ to the factory to say “Hi’, was an agreement that I would be responsible for the Yardley Team on the understanding that Laraine be allowed to travel with me.  Mike’s race placings were mostly mid field but it was enjoyable with plenty of hard work keeping the car running.  He unfortunately crashed heavily at Nurburgring breaking an ankle and Jochen Mass was called in to finish the seasons driving duties.

As the 1974 season progressed the increased pressure of running two independent  teams under one roof and the possibility of a championship win for Emerson stretched factory personnel, resources and loyalties to the limit.  Denny however in his last F1 driving year was happy to avoid the media, hiding out in our Yardley transporter, preferring one of Laraine’s home made sandwiches to the corporate lunch happening in  the Texaco camp.

What a season - McLaren Racing were F1 World Champions, Indianapolis Speedway Winners, Emerson Fittipaldi took the Drivers Title and Denny retired.

I look back now with tremendous pride at having had the opportunity  of being involved in this period of McLaren motor racing history and additionally to have worked alongside Denny and Bruce, two of the finest ambassadors in world motor racing that New Zealand will ever have.

Cary Taylor      

Photograph by Tom Patterson, Racing Photography, USA

A great detailed photo of the Denny Hulme M8A.  Cary Taylor is lying on the ground under the rear of the M8.  This photo is of particular interest as this is the Trust Car that is currently under restoration.  One very important detail for the restoration was gained from this photo and proves the theory of every photo being of value.