First held in 2015, the Bruce McLaren Trophy featured an eye-catching grid of V8-engined Lolas and McLarens, interspersed with less well-known machinery from the likes of Chinook, Crossle and Attila.
Nick Padmore set a spellbinding pace in Official Practice, lapping the Motor Circuit in 1:18.072 at an average speed of 110.66mph, but he struggled off the line to leave himself with work to do through the opening lap, recovering from fifth place to retake the lead into St. Mary’s on the fourth lap.
After Jay Esterer, Padmore’s closest contender, retired with a mechanical issue, there was no stopping the race leader as he stretched out a comfortable eight-second advantage to take victory in the inaugural Bruce McLaren Trophy ahead of Chris Goodwin and Alex Buncombe.
Padmore returned with the T70 a year later and astonishingly went even quicker to take pole position with a 1:17.079 at 111.16mph. The race, however, was marred by a serious accident which saw it ended under red flag conditions and Padmore declared the winner.
We’ll look forward to all drivers making it to the chequered flag safely when the Bruce McLaren Trophy returns at the 83rd Members’ Meeting.
