McLaren M16
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(June 2021) |
 McLaren M16E driven by Johnny Rutherford in 1975 | |||
| Category | IndyCar | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | McLaren Racing | ||
| Designer(s) | Gordon Coppuck John Barnard | ||
| Predecessor | McLaren M15 | ||
| Successor | McLaren M24 | ||
| Technical specifications | |||
| Chassis | Aluminium monocoque | ||
| Engine | Offenhauser2,610 cc (159.3 cu in)straight-4turbochargedMid-engined,longitudinally mounted | ||
| Transmission | Hewland3 manual | ||
| Tyres | Goodyear | ||
| Competition history | |||
| Notable entrants | McLaren Penske Racing | ||
| Notable drivers | Johnny Rutherford Mark Donohue Denny Hulme Peter Revson Gary Bettenhausen | ||
| |||
TheMcLaren M16was a race car designed and built byMcLarenbetween 1971 and 1976 for American open wheel racing. It is the most successful car of the 1970s at the Indianapolis 500 with three wins in1972,1974and1976and the last one to win with theOffenhauserengine.
History
[edit]1971
[edit]The car was unveiled in January 1971 to replace the M15. Initially named simply M16, the 1971 version is known retrospectively as M16A due to the successive updates.[1]The chassis is an aluminium monocoque powered by the omnipresent at the time Offenhauser straight-4 engine, which in its 159 c.i. (2.61l) version and equipped with a Garrett turbocharger limited to 24.6 psi (1.7 bar) delivered over 700 hp. Following a trend set by the previous yearLotus 72,the radiators were moved to the sidepods giving the car a wedge shape.[2] Two cars driven byDenny HulmeandPeter Revsonentered the Indianapolis 500 under the McLaren team and one more car run by Penske and driven byMark Donohue.The three cars made the qualified in the top 4, but only Revson manages to finish the race in second place.[3]
1972
[edit]The new car was baptised as M16B. For that year Indy 500Gordon Johncockreplaced Denny Hulme and Penske entered a second car forGary Bettenhausen.Although none of those three crossed the finish line, Mark Donohue did so in the first place, making the car the first McLaren to win the famous race and also giving Penske their first of a long list of victories at Indy.[4]
1973
[edit]The M16C saw Johnny Rutherford joining the official team.
1974
[edit]Johnny Rutherford took the M16C/D to victory lane.[5]
1975
[edit]This year McLaren fielded two new M16E cars while Penske preferred to stick to the previous year cars. Johnny Rutherford finished second both at Indy and the championship overall.
1976
[edit]Johnny Rutherford won his second Indy 500 with the M16E.[6] This was the last year of the M16 as a factory entered car, as Mclaren introduced its replacement, the M24. However, several M16s continued racing by other teams until 1981.
References
[edit]- ^"McLaren Racing - Heritage -".www.mclaren.com.Retrieved17 June2021.
- ^"One of the all time great racing car designs".www.collierautomedia.com.13 May 2021.Retrieved17 June2021.
- ^"Indianapolis motor speedway historical stats - starting grids".www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.Retrieved18 June2021.
- ^"Indianapolis motor speedway historical stats - race results".www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.Retrieved18 June2021.
- ^"Indianapolis motor speedway historical stats - race results".www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.Retrieved18 June2021.
- ^"Indianapolis motor speedway historical stats - race results".www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.Retrieved18 June2021.
