Question of wings

Bruce McLaren concentrates before getting into his McLaren M1B Can-Am Group 7 during a test session at Riverside in October 1966. Bruce, aware that Jim Hall with his Chaparral 2C equipped with an imposing rear wing, could have a (big) advantage, decides to test this rear wing and its large “Gurney flap” (photo above).

The M1A was the first sports prototype designed and developed entirely by McLaren. Subsequent versions such as the M1B and M1C, powered by either the Chevrolet or Oldsmobile V8, raced in the North American championship from 1966. A total of 24 examples of the M1A and M1B were built.

No victories yet for Bruce McLaren and his M1B in this 1966 Can-Am season, but four podiums in six events, and a third place in the final championship standings, behind John Surtees (winner in his Lola T70 Mk.2) and Mark Donohue, in a Lola T70 entered by Roger Penske Racing.