The graves of motorsport pioneer Bruce McLaren and members of his family have been vandalized again at Waikumete Cemetery in Auckland, continuing a pattern of damage that has stretched back several months and frustrated restoration efforts.
Bruce McLaren, the New Zealand-born founder of the McLaren racing team, was killed in a testing accident in 1970 at the age of 32 and was buried at Waikumete, the country’s largest cemetery. His wife, Patricia, who died in 2016, is buried alongside him, as are McLaren’s parents, sister, and brother-in-law. Together, the family headstones form a closely grouped memorial that has become the focus of repeated attacks.
A volunteer restorer working on the site discovered fresh damage last weekend, including torn protective coverings and new chemical damage to the stone surfaces. Polyethylene bags placed over the headstones to shield them during restoration had been deliberately ripped open. Bleach sprayed across the stones damaged paint and pitted the granite, undoing weeks of careful work.
The vandalism has taken multiple forms since first being reported in September. Earlier incidents involved gold paint splashed across headstones, bleach poured directly onto the stone, and attempts to attach toy cars to the McLaren headstones using epoxy. What initially appeared to be possible misguided cleaning efforts is now believed to be intentional and calculated.
The repeated damage has significantly slowed restoration progress. Time that would normally be spent completing repairs is instead used to remove residue and fix new damage. The volunteer restorer, who specializes in gentle, non-chemical techniques, has also incurred financial losses as a result of the attacks.
Plans to reapply 23-karat gold detailing to portions of the McLaren headstones have been jeopardized, as bleach damage threatens to ruin the expensive work. The estimated cost of the gold restoration alone approaches $1,000, and further chemical exposure could negate the effort entirely.
New Zealand police confirmed they received reports of damage to several headstones on Nov. 5 and said investigations remain ongoing. Multiple witnesses have since come forward reporting people interfering with the McLaren family graves.
As restoration continues under increasingly difficult circumstances, those caring for the site have urged for the vandalism to stop, warning that continued interference risks permanent damage to a significant piece of New Zealand motorsport history.
Source/Image from source
About the Author
