This Day In History—June 2: Bruce McLaren, Car Driver & Designer Dies

A peek into the history books and on this day, the second of June was when Bruce McLaren, the founder of McLaren died when he met with a crash while testing a car of his own design at a track in Goodwood.

Born in New Zealand, McLaren suffered from a hip disease that left him hospitalized for several years. He fully recovered at the age of 14.

With the help of his father, a mechanic, McLaren built his first car and raced it at the age of 15. His interest with cars also made him pursue engineering at the University of Auckland.

Guided by Jack Brabham, McLaren's mentor, he became the first ever winner of the New Zealand International Grand Prix Association's "Driver to Europe" scholarship.

In 1959, McLaren won his first ever Formula One race and in 1964, he started designing race cars and manufacturing them as well.

When he died in June 1970, McLaren had been at the top of international racing world for more than 10 years. The racing team that has his name still survives as one of the most successful teams in Formula One history.