Bruce McLaren, the ‘motorsport legend’ and founder of the renowned racing and supercar company that still bears his name, has been recognised with a posthumous honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from the University of Auckland. This award, made as
McLaren marks 60 years since he founded the company and made to honour the late engineer, innovator, and racing driver for his contributions to engineering, was presented in a ceremony at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England. His daughter, Amanda McLaren, accepted the award on his behalf.
After completing the first year of his Bachelor of Engineering degree at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, Bruce McLaren was the first recipient of the ‘New Zealand International Grand Prix Association’s Driver to Europe Scholarship’. In 1959, at the age of 22, he became the youngest winner of a Formula One World Championship grand prix, a record that remained unbroken for 44 years. Four years later, he established Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Ltd, initially designing, building, and racing cars in the Tasman Series in Australia and his native New Zealand.
With Kiwi teammate Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren dominated the North American Can-Am Championship series from 1966-1970. On 2 June 1970, the pioneering racing driver and engineer tragically lost his life at the age of 32 while testing one of his Can-Am racing cars at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex.
The Doctor of Engineering degree for Bruce McLaren is one of four posthumous honorary doctorates being conferred as part of the University of Auckland’s 140th anniversary celebrations. Furthermore, the University of Auckland is also planning to establish an engineering research centre to honour and build on Bruce McLaren’s legacy.
The proposed ‘Bruce McLaren Centre for High Performance Engineering’ will ‘empower future generations of Kiwi engineering excellence, and focus on integrating high-performance materials, advanced manufacturing, and innovative design to meet the world’s need for a prosperous and sustainable future’.
Amanda McLaren said: “It is a privilege to have my father’s achievements honoured with a doctorate from the University of Auckland, the place of study where he furthered his passion for engineering. I know dad would be so impressed with the engineering advancements seen in the industry today, and especially in the supercars and racing cars that bear his name.”