22 replies to this topic

[GMiranda]

I just read on Facebook that Graham McRae passed away this morning. Apparentely, it was someone from his family who wrote it.

[Tim Murray]

Here’s the Facebook announcement, by Graham’s niece Julie. Sincere condolences to her and all Graham’s family and friends.

https://m.facebook.c...f=page_internal

[brucemoxon]

Very sad news. He was a giant of F5000 racing. 


BM

[Team Result]

Yes, sad news about Graham McRae. He was another hugely talented Kiwi constructor/driver. I have never heard why his nickname was Cassius, but can hazard a good guess!

[ellrosso]

RIP Graham McRae. Very sad news. He certainly was a major talent in the cockpit and building racing cars. His F5000's are still a force today in Historics. The Cassius nickname was of course related to the boxer, Cassius Clay and his "self promotion".

This came from the 1970 Tasman Series when Graham ruffled a few feathers on this side of the ditch, notably Matich and the label was attached from that time. SCW did a McRae feature article back then and it was brought up with him - he seemed pretty pragmatic about it though. The late 60's, early to mid 70's were very successful for him. No doubt other TNF'rs will have more info. McRae GM3 F5000 featured with Graham in black driving suit on RH side of pic.

https://i.postimg.cc...-Rae-78-TNF.jpg

[Ray Bell]

That photo is from the day of his third Australian Grand Prix win...

 

He only ever won the AGP at Sandown Park.

 

I think the 'Cassius' title was bestowed on him prior to the F5000 era, when he built his own (winning) car in the 1.5-litre class in New Zealand.

[opplock]

Very sad news. I particularly remember his dominant performances during the 68/69 season at Levin in the first McRae twincam and in the BT23C in the March meeting. 

[68targa]

Very sorry to hear this news. I always enjoyed his exploits in UK F5000 during the 1970's

 

 

 

His one and only F1 Grand Prix drive with Frank Williams. One of many to try the Iso Marlboro in 1973.

 

 

R.I.P.

[JacnGille]

Sad news

[Lee Nicolle]

Sad. Another constructor is lost. As well as a very good driver.

Condolences to friends and relatives.

[brucemoxon]

Sad. Another constructor is lost. As well as a very good driver.

Condolences to friends and relatives.

 

The driver - engineer is a very endangered species. 

Modern racing makes it almost impossible, I guess. 

 

 

BRM

[kayemod]

When he was in England, this was Graham's base. It's the factory unit with the BMW parked in front of an open door, I think it extended as far as the first drainpipe to the left of the photo, or maybe slightly further, I'd guess at about 2000 sq feet inside, certainly not much larger. My friend and often supplier's place was the other open door, it was FKS Fibreglass, later Griffin Design. They did all the McRae bodywork etc. Graham sold the place on to Penske, and this was their first place in the UK, they ran their F1 operation from there, run by Mr nice guy Heinz Hofer with John Watson driving for them.

 

 

The unit is on the Creekmoor industrial estate on the outskirts of Poole in Dorset.

[cooper997]

From both sides of the Ditch...

 

 

My condolences to Graham's family and friends.

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

From Kiwi motoring journalist, Allan Dick's Classic Auto News FB page...

https://www.facebook...193733292550552

 

 

Stephen

[Wirra]

Warwick Farm, 1972 - Leda GM1

 

[Lee Nicolle]

The driver - engineer is a very endangered species. 

Modern racing makes it almost impossible, I guess. 

 

 

BRM

Really Sir Black Jack, Graeme McRea and Garry Cooper from this end of the world.

And that was at least 40 years ago

[brucemoxon]

Really Sir Black Jack, Graeme McRea and Garry Cooper from this end of the world.

And that was at least 40 years ago

McLaren, Perkins, Matich. 

And the best of them (maybe), Mark Donohue. 

And yes, a long time ago. 

 

 

 

BRM

[Librules]

Really Sir Black Jack, Graeme McRea and Garry Cooper from this end of the world.
And that was at least 40 years ago

Slightly OT but in Australia at least hiilclimbing may be one of the last bastions of quality engineer/builder/drivers. In recent times Oastler, Hayward, Ackland and Garry Martin come immediately to mind.

[David Lawson]

Sad news but what a life.

 

A couple of my poor quality snaps from 1972 and 1973

 

 

I think I took this at the 1972 Race of Champions.

 

 

In the Williams at the 1973 British Grand Prix alongside another recently sadly departed driver.

 

David

[Ardmore]

RIP Graham. Thanks for the memories.

 

 

.

 

McRae GM2 at Pukekohe 1975

[cooper997]

Some old newsprint coverage.

 

 

 

Stephen

[Corrado1943]

In 1973, of course, he won ‘Rookie of the Year’ at the blighted running of the Indianapolis 500 in the #60 STP Eagle-Offenhauser……..and, in the aftermath of team-mate Swede Savage’s dreadful accident, losing his pit-wall man Armando Teran who was struck in the pit lane by an emergency vehicle going the ‘wrong way’ towards turn 4.

[cooper997]

Donn Anderson's McRae Ford feature from 10/1/69 Autosport. I dare say there's a NZ Motorman that ran the feature too.

 

 

 

 

Stephen