Race icon's family defend manager

By TONY STICKLEY

Family members of motor-racing legend Bruce McLaren have spoken out against his widow over a civil case she has brought in the High Court at Auckland.

McLaren's widow, Patricia Brickett, is suing the racing driver's manager and close friend, Aucklander Phil Kerr, claiming he misappropriated money from a Swiss investment company in the mid-1970s.

With interest over 25 years, the amount claimed has swelled to more than $500,000.

In court yesterday, Mr Kerr produced an agreement signed in April 1970 showing he was entitled to 15 per cent of the investment company revenues from whatever source.

Mr Kerr joined Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Ltd as joint managing director in 1967.

McLaren's 93-year-old mother, Ruth McLaren, gave evidence for the defence in an affidavit which stated that Mr Kerr and her son were boyhood friends who always supported each other.

"They had ambitions to challenge the world, and I believe they succeeded, as history shows."

After her son died in a crash at the Goodwood race circuit south of London in June 1970, Mr Kerr gave the family guidance and strength as they struggled with their grief.

"I know how difficult it was for him having to deal with everything at first hand, including his own personal grief - yet he put the needs of our family first, and I will always remember him as supporting us totally."

Mr Kerr was a man of integrity and unselfishness who always put the needs of others first, said Mrs McLaren.

"It is ironic that he had always done the best for Mrs Brickett."

Mrs McLaren dismissed Mrs Brickett's claim that she did not begin proceedings for so many years for fear of upsetting the McLaren family.

Mrs Brickett had never mentioned the allegations to her, she said, and she was deeply saddened when she first read of them in the Herald in 1996.

McLaren's elder sister, Patricia Hunter, also questioned the reasons for the delay in bringing the court action.

She told Justice Potter that Mr Kerr carried out his responsibilities running the Bruce McLaren Motors service station business with "complete dedication, fairness and honesty."

"I have always trusted him completely, and do so to this day."

Mr Kerr had worked tirelessly developing and rebuilding the business, receiving no salary for the first five or six years to help it survive, while personally guaranteeing the company's overdraft.

"Due to Mr Kerr's efforts over these years, Mrs Brickett was provided for, and gained substantially in financial terms without having to do anything," said Mrs Hunter.

Justice Potter earlier heard that Mrs Brickett received around $740,000 from the sale of the service station business.

Mr Kerr told the court that he had worked hard at the business out of loyalty to McLaren and a moral obligation he felt to his widow and child.

Had he known in 1977 that she intended to make the allegations now before the court, he would not have bothered.