Here’s the right way to kick off your Friday! Riding shotgun with Jim Pace as he laps Road America in a vintage Can Am race car. The machine in question is is a McLaren M6B, which was the second iteration of the M6 series from Bruce McLaren Motor Racing and the model that proved so dominant in Can Am competition. McLaren sold a lot of these chassis to both Can Am racers and to competitors in other series. The engine in the car is a good ol’ small block Chevy. We think that in original form, this car would have been run with a big block in it, but frankly, who the hell cares. Once you hear Pace lean into it and rip through the gears, cubic inches have no meaning anymore.
The real action gets going at about 1:40 into the video when Pace rounds a corner and begins pulling through the gears of the car down one of Road America’s long straights. It is this part of the video that really gives you a sense of the breathtaking performance that these cars had both 40 years ago and today. During the straightaway dash you’ll probably start thinking the same thing we did which was, “He’s not going to grab another….OHHHH He just grabbed another gear!”
Of all the classic racing series that we missed out on due to being born “late”, it is Can Am that we’re the most sore about. The combo of big inch V8 engines, languid European chassis and bodies, literal all-time fields of drivers, and iconic race tracks nearly brings a single tear to our eye. Those of you that saw it in person better relish those memories!
Thanks to Craig Sutherland for the tip!
Press play below to watch Jim Pace expertly hot lap Road America in a brutally fast McLaren M6B Can Am Car!
Gearhead porn for sure, sweet post guys!!!!!
Nothing like driving that like you stole.it
I saw lots of Can-Am racing at Mosport, Ontario. I remember the great sound when the entire field came by on the first lap.
Thanks for the memories!