Your questions answered by Phil Kerr.

Why did Bruce persist with an open face helmet whereas Denny - the tough guy- was one of the first to convert to a full face?

Bruce did try a full face helmet but found it quite claustrophobic and although he persisted with trying it on a few occasions, he came to the conclusion that with the open face helmet and goggles he had better peripheral vision and he was certainly more comfortable with that helmet and as a result never seriously contemplated changing.

Was there ever any possibility of Denny leaving McLaren? - ie did other teams simply not bother to approach him because he was known to be 'part of the McLaren family', or did he just not want to leave.

Once Denny joined McLaren I don't think there was ever any consideration given by him to joining another team. He was very happy there, firstly because he was such good friends with Bruce and secondly after the tragic accident involving Bruce, Denny assumed the mantle of inspirational team leader and from then on it was obvious to him and the team that he would remain until he retired.

What say did Denny have in driver selections? Would Denny have ever veto'd a driver that management was considering?

Denny was always involved in the discussions that were held regarding driver selections from season to season. He generally had a very open mind about who the other team drivers should be and in each season he was very content with the other drivers who were in the team, either in F1, CanAm or Indy. I know that Denny would have been very pleased to have Chris Amon as a teammate if circumstances had permitted this to occur, particularly in F1.

When did you first meet Bruce?

Around September 1952, it was at an Auckland Car Club gymkhana and Bruce had just obtained his driver's licence. We just started talking and before I knew it I was turning up at his father's service station.

What did you and Bruce drive back before you moved to England?

Bruce and I started in Austin 7's, I guess you could say they were the go-karts of the day. Whereas today's drivers tend to start in go-karts, Austin 7's were what was available for us.

After the Austin 7 Bruce had a Paton Ford 10 Special, then the Austin Healey and onto Coopers, while I drove a Ford 10 special and Bucklers in sports car racing plus DKW, Ford Zephyr Zodiac and Ford Consul in saloon car racing.

How big was the "Bruce and Denny Show"?

Can Am racing was huge in the US, the coverage of events was good and the racing was quite sensational. Bruce & Denny, and the whole team were treated as international stars or heroes if you like. The cars were so beautifully prepared and were a step ahead of the opposition in every way, it was just fantastic.

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