Racing to the top for Bruce McLaren student

YOUNG CHAMP:  Daniel Hefford, 11, is heading to the US to compete against soapbox racers from all over the world. Photo: Fiona Goodall

By Rani Timoti

Boy wonder Daniel Hefford has some pretty big boots to fill.

The 11-year-old is a student at Bruce McLaren Intermediate, the school named after one of the world's most famous racing car drivers.

Daniel has just won the national soapbox derby and will now represent New Zealand at the All American version being held in the U.S this July.

Plenty of people at the school have drawn parallels between Daniel and McLaren - the youngest man to ever win a world championship Formula 1 Grand Prix event.

Teachers are quick to point out that Bruce McLaren pupils also won 2nd and 4th placings at the national finals.

"They are all following in the traditions of a great racing driver," principal David Crickmer says.

The school holds a special assembly once a year to honour McLaren who was killed, aged 32, on June 2, 1970 while testing a Can Am Car at Goodwood.

It is closely affiliated with a trust set up in his memory and receives regular visits from one of his sisters.

Its orchestra used to entertain late family matriarch Ruth McLaren once a year in the resthome where she lived until her death several years ago.

"We're all very proud of our links with Bruce McLaren," Mr Crickmer says.

Daniel looks forward to learning more about the great driver as his year progresses.

But first he's got a race to win.

He'll be heading to the big event in Akron, Ohio with his father John, an avid supporter.

"I'm really excited and I'll be on TV and radio," he says.

The Rotary club of Waitakere City, organiser of the west Auckland soapbox heats, will mint a special metal badge for Daniel to swap with other racers.

It will also be selling the badges to help raise funds to cover travel expenses.

About 350 competitors are expected to take part in the race.

Daniel wasn't alone when he won the national title. Other members of the winning Bruce McLaren team are:  Chayse James, Sahrenah Mullin Lily Fityus, Stephanie Reynolds, Kyle Crummer, Maiwand Saeedi and Nathan Tauelima.

Western Leader