McLaren tours New Zealand

he McLaren brand has a strong link to New Zealand because of the late motorsport legend Bruce McLaren, and also the sports car.

So it makes sense that the British- based brand heads here for a tour of the country.

Starting in late November, the nine- day Epic McLaren tour will visit the newly named Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo, head to Te Papa Museum in Wellington and then visit the South Island and the Highlands Motorsport Park near Wanaka.

McLaren Auckland sales manager Luke Neuberger expects at least 10 local owners to join the road trip, while the majority of overseas drivers will be from Asia and England.

A fleet of McLaren vehicles will be available to non- McLaren WIN WITH DRIVEN Enter Driven’s latest competition — a double pass to Auckland’s Big Boys Toys at the end of this month. LIZ DOBSON owners, for driving during the programme.

There is also a “future legacies” charity dinner on November 26 in Auckland at the Cloud to launch a new partnership with The University of Auckland, says Neuberger. An F1 memorabilia charity auction will raise money towards a scholarship for University of Auckland students to travel to the McLaren Technology Centre in England on work placements. Tickets are still available for the event.

Fittingly, reviews the McLaren 540C ( see page 6), the “baby” of the range. Go to Driven. co. nz, sign- up and press the win button to enter. The competition closes tonight. ABOUT US Editor Tony Verdon Editor at Large Liz Dobson Contributors Mathieu Day, Matthew Hansen, Bob McMurray, Cameron Officer, Donna McIntyre Cover design Jennifer Adams Hansen Advertising Head of Automotive, NZME Todd Fuller 021 986027 todd. fuller@ nzme. co. nz Cover photo Matthew