At HVM Racing, the off-season is not vacation time. As well as developing our program for the upcoming season, we restore older race cars as well as perform modifications, such as building street legal Open Wheel race cars. We thought you might enjoy a look at some of these projects. 

The first project we are going to show is the restoration of a McLaren 8E Can Am car. From 1968 to 1972 the McLaren M8 dominated Can Am, and unfortunately an accident in an M8D led to the untimely death of Bruce McLaren. 

The Car we are Restoring is a 1971 McLaren M8E, Chassis #4, originally raced by Vic Elford for Roy Woods Racing in 1971. The “E” series were customer cars built By Trojan for McLaren. The works cars were designated as M8F. We hope you enjoy the photos of a truly magnificent piece of racing history.

Please feel free to share with us any recollections you have of Can Am historic cars, or just drop us a note to say “Hi”

Thanks to all the passionate racing fans who have posted a comment, criticism, design or photo regarding the redesign of the open-wheel race car. We’ve enjoyed the ideas and the good-natured debate. But don’t let up. This forum will keep accepting submissions on the topic until March 15, 2010, at which time a random winner will be given the opportunity to be VIP guest of HVM Racing at the 2010 Indy 500.

“Even though this forum is in a fun environment, don’t think your participation is frivolous. Your opinions are being read by many and considered by some like me, while contemplating our future. So, for those of you who have said, ‘No one is really going to care what the fans think,’ I for one say you could be surprised!” – Keith Wiggins, team principal and owner, HVM Racing

What does the perfect open-wheel racing car of the future look like in the minds of the fans? HVM Racing would like to find out. The team opened this online forum to tap into the creativity and passion of race fans, inviting suggestions and ideas for a new chassis design. Fans are encouraged to submit their concepts through the “Comment” function below. All sketches, designs, opinions and criticisms are welcome.

One submission, selected by a random drawing from all submissions, will win the opportunity for two people to be VIP guests of HVM Racing at the 2010 Indianapolis 500.

Comments will be taken until March 15, 2010.