New Zealander Phil Kerr, an instrumental figure in the formative years of McLaren, has died. Born in Auckland in 1934, Kerr became friends with Bruce McLaren in the early 1950’s when they competed in hillclimb events in their native New Zealand. During this period late Sir Jack Brabham met Kerr through McLaren and with the triple World Champion responsible for influencing him to move to England where in 1959 he came Brabham’s manager, running his garage in London. It was not until after compatriot Denny Hulme won the 1967 Formula 1 World Championship at the Brabham team, that Kerr along with Hulme decided to move to McLaren. Following the tragic death of Bruce McLaren in 1970, Kerr,...
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