Timmy Mayer

Timothy Andrew "Timmy" Mayer (22 February 1938 - 28 February 1964): American racing driver who competed in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix in 1962, retiring with ignition failure, before being killed in practice for the 1964 Tasman Series at Longford, Tasmania, just six days after his 26th birthday, in circumstances that devastated his friend Bruce McLaren and contributed to the founding of the McLaren racing team. Born in Dalton, Pennsylvania, Mayer came from a motorsport-oriented family—his older brother Teddy Mayer would later become one of the founders of the McLaren team alongside Bruce McLaren. Timmy established himself as a talented sports car and Formula Junior racer in American and European competition during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

His Formula One World Championship opportunity came at the 1962 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen on 7 October 1962. Mayer qualified for the race but retired with ignition failure, scoring no championship points. His brief Formula One appearance suggested potential but provided insufficient evidence to judge his true capabilities at the highest level. For the 1964 Tasman Series, Bruce McLaren formed his first championship series entries, running custom-built Cooper T70 cars for himself and Timmy Mayer.

The Tasman Series represented McLaren's first steps as a constructor-team owner, with Mayer recruited as his driver. This partnership seemed promising and marked the beginning of what would become the legendary McLaren racing organization. Tragically, during Friday practice for the final race of the 1964 Tasman Series at Longford circuit in Tasmania on 28 February 1964, just six days after his 26th birthday, Mayer lost control at over 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). His car spun and struck a tree next to the course.

Mayer was killed instantly. Bruce McLaren, devastated by his friend's death, did not race at Longford the following day. The tragedy profoundly affected McLaren and contributed to his determination to build a successful racing team, partly as a memorial to his lost friend. Teddy Mayer, Timmy's brother, eventually became a key figure in the McLaren organization, managing the team through its most successful periods in the 1970s and 1980s, helping fulfill the potential that his younger brother never lived to achieve.

Known for: Being killed in practice at Longford, Tasmania, on 28 February 1964, just six days after his 26th birthday, racing for Bruce McLaren's first constructor entries in the 1964 Tasman Series, his death profoundly affecting Bruce McLaren, competing in one Formula One race at the 1962 US Grand Prix, and his brother Teddy Mayer later becoming a McLaren team founder.