Graham McRae

Graham Peter McRae (5 March 1940 - 4 August 2021): New Zealand racing driver and constructor from Wellington who achieved extraordinary success in Formula 5000 racing before a brief Formula One appearance. Won the Tasman Series championship three consecutive times from 1971 to 1973, dominating the premier single-seater racing series in Australia and New Zealand. Claimed the 1972 L&M Continental 5000 Championship (also known as the SCCA Continental 5000) in the United States, winning three races and establishing himself as one of Formula 5000's dominant drivers internationally. Designed and built his own racing cars under the McRae brand, with the GM1 and GM3 chassis proving highly competitive in Formula 5000 competition.

The McRae GM3, which he drove to his championships, was praised for its innovative design and handling characteristics, demonstrating his engineering talent matched his driving ability. Won the Australian Grand Prix four times (1972, 1973, 1976, 1978), an extraordinary achievement in one of the Southern Hemisphere's most prestigious races. Made his sole Formula One World Championship appearance at the 1973 British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 14 July 1973, driving a Marlboro-liveried Williams IR01-Cosworth prepared by Frank Williams. Eliminated on the opening lap when involved in a multi-car accident at Woodcote Corner, his Formula One debut and career ending almost immediately.

Competed at the 1973 Indianapolis 500, finishing 16th and earning Rookie of the Year honors, demonstrating his versatility across different racing disciplines and continents. His Indianapolis appearance showed that Formula 5000 success translated to IndyCar competition, though he chose to focus on his dominant F5000 career rather than pursue American racing further. After his brief F1 appearance, concentrated on Formula 5000 racing where his self-built McRae cars continued achieving success through the mid-1970s. Briefly competed in Can-Am racing, though achieved less success than in Formula 5000, finding the sports car prototype discipline less suited to his driving style.

Retired from active competition in the late 1970s but remained involved in New Zealand motorsport as a constructor, team owner, and elder statesman. Passed away on 4 August 2021 at age 81, mourned throughout New Zealand and Australian motorsport communities as one of the region's greatest racing drivers. His four Australian Grand Prix victories and three consecutive Tasman Series championships established him as one of the Southern Hemisphere's most successful drivers, far exceeding his brief and unsuccessful Formula One appearance. McRae exemplified the talented drivers who achieved greater success and recognition in regional racing series than in Formula One, proving that grand prix racing was not the only measure of a driver's abilities during the 1970s.