McLaren M8F Young American Racing Team - Can-Am Canadian-American Challenge Cup 1972
Car scale model kit in 1/43 scale manufactured by Marsh Models (ref. MM302)

Bruce McLaren and his team built the M8A for the 1968 Can-Am championship, which began a four-year winning streak for McLaren in the championship. Development of the car continued through to the M8F in 1971, and like its predecessors the M8A, M8B and M8D, it was built around an aluminium monocoque chassis. In addition, the M8F saw its wheelbase increased by three inches over its predecessor to improve braking stability, which was combined with a narrower track and revised suspension geometry to add directional stability. Some of its front suspension castings were taken directly from McLaren’s Indy car, which were not only much stiffer but helped to improve front-end geometries. The weight of the rear brakes was moved inboard, next to the transaxle, and the suspension arms were revised to accommodate 12-inch discs. The gearbox was also changed, with Hewland’s LG-500 MKII model being chosen, which featured a much more robust casing and side plates. The fuel tank sides were made from thicker material to prevent puncturing from the usual “contact” in racing, a common occurrence in the fierce Can-Am championship.

The M8F also incorporated more components made from exotic materials, including magnesium and titanium, while other chassis elements and sections were made from thinner aluminium in an attempt to further reduce weight. The bodywork was developed so that the additional fins that were first fitted in 1970 were now fully incorporated and ran the full length of the body, ensuring that airflow was not dispersed or separated along the length of the car. The rear of the body was lowered to make more room for the work of the huge rear wing and for the NACA air intake responsible for cooling the gearbox.