VALE: GRAHAM MCRAE
Open-wheel ace of the 1970s Graham McRae has passed away aged 81 in his home country of New Zealand.
McRae is most commonly known as a gun behind the wheel of an F5000 machine winning no less than six F5000 championships around the world.
His first came in his home country of New Zealand, when he won the country’s Gold Star in the 1969/70 season.
Notably he was the most successful driver in the Tasman Series, winning the famous championship three times, consecutively from 1971-1973.
Last week the famous Tasman Series name was revived and will see S5000 Championship competitors race at Bathurst and the Gold Coast to be awarded the Tasman Series.
McRae’s success behind the wheel of an open-wheel machine opened the doors for him overseas, McRae not only contested F5000 races in America but found himself beating many future Formula 1 drivers.
Alongside his success locally McRae won the SCCA L&M Continental 5000 Championship in the United States of America after winning three of the eight races.
In that championship he beat the likes of future Formula 1 driver Brett Lunger, multiple time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Derek Bell and Le Mans class winner David Hobbs.
In 1973 McRae raced in the legendary Indy500, the Kiwi won the Rookie of the Year honours after completing 91 laps before a broken header forced him to retire.
Throughout the early 70s McRae made several non-championship Formula 1 race starts, however in July of 1973 he was given his big break.
He was given the opportunity to race for Frank Williams Racing Cars (the unsuccessful predecessor to Williams).
McRae took part in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone but failed to greet the chequered flag. This would be his only championship F1 race start.
McRae continued to race in F5000 machines throughout the mid-70s in Europe and America before returning to more local racing late in the decade.
In 1978 McRae won the Australian Drivers Championship driving a McRae GM3 Chevrolet, and even took the win in the non-championship Australian Grand Prix at Sandown.
Auto Action sends its condolences to his friends and family.
