Jerry Melton's photos taken in North America during the 1950s to the 1970s.

[khyndart in CA]

I am waiting for Ray Bell to answer the Jack Brabham question regarding the McLaren M8 # 15.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by khyndart in CA
I am waiting for Ray Bell to answer the Jack Brabham question regarding the McLaren M8 # 15.

You had to wait till I could get home to look up the details...

Jack was entered in the Ford G7A, a version of the Mk 4 Ford. He wasn't happy with its lack of competitiveness for his Can-Am debut and made overtures to McLaren. The spare car was rolled out and made ready with a more nearly-stock Chev engine, Jack tried it in practice and was happy with it.

But he had a contractural obligation to run the Ford if it was available to start the race, and it was. Meanwhile, Dan Gurney was in trouble with his McLaren and also made overtures.

Denny describes it this way: "He was second in the queue, and keeping his fingers crossed that Brabham could bring the Ford to the start line, in which case he would become first in line."

"Well, Brabham did start the Ford and Bruce offered Gurney the spare seat, though he had to start from the back of the grid. He also was made to understand that he could finish as close as he liked behind Bruce and I, provided he was behind!"

After Dan stormed through the field the three works McLarens filled the first three spots within seven tenths of a second with Bruce ahead of Denny and Dan. Jo Siffert was fourth.