1972 McRae GM1 #009 - Cars of the MSC Tasman Revival Series*
Currently owned and driven by Kiwi Steve Ross, the #009 McRae GM1 chassis has its history in the United States. Initially it competed in very few F5000 events, but later raced in US classic races between 1986 and 1998.
Built for Jim and Chuck Sarich of Quicksilver racing it made its debut at Watkins Glen (17th June 1973) which was the fifth round of the US F5000 Championship. Also entered in this event were three other McRae GM1 cars.
Driver constructor Graham McRae drove #014, Jon Woodner the #008 and Greg Young the #005. The race was won by future F1 world champion (1979 – Ferrari) Jody Scheckter driving a Lola T330.
In fact Lola T330’s filled the first six places with Jon Woodner’s McRae coming home seventh. Jim Sarich was eighteenth while Graham McRae retired and Greg Young did not start.
Chuck Sarich drove the next round at Elkhart Lake but did not qualify. Forty one cars attempted to qualify for this race including six McRae GM1’s (#002, 006, 008, 009, 011, 014). Twenty-four cars took the grid with Brian Redmond winning in a Lola T330.
Jim took the wheel for the next round at Road Atlanta but also did not qualify. Brian Redmond winning again.
It must be noted that there was some top talent competing in this series including Mark Donohue, Brian Redman, Jody Scheckter, Peter Gethin, Graham McRae, Bob Lazier and David Hobbs.
The #009 car only competed in one round of the 1974 series at Laguna Sega. Chuck Sarich qualified thirty-first, finishing ninth in heat one but did not start heat two. Also racing at this round were F1 drivers Mario Andretti and James Hunt.
In 1975 the car was sold to Ted Wenz and Peter Marcovicci of Marcovicci-Wenz Engineering with Ted Wenz later competing in US classic racing.
In 2004 the car was brought to New Zealand to compete in the Tasman Revival Series. In 2007/08 it was successfully driven by Chris Hyde winning the MSC Tasman Revivla F5000 Series.
See also
- The distinctive engine tone of the McLaren M23
Ex Graeme Lawrence Lola T332 still turns heads
- Max Mosley’s legacy lives on in NZ
*Over the 2009 Christmas and New Year break we will look at a number of cars that make up the grid of the 2009/10 MSC Tasman Revival Series
