Through Oxton, however, he met Jim Murdoch who wanted to return to New Zealand after a season in Formula Atlantic to race Formula Ford. The car, the JM1, was built in the Toyshop from George’s designs and took Murdoch to second in the national championship for Formula Ford.

But the urge to build one more Gold Star contender was running strong and Begg settled on one last project, named 018 as it was to be the 18th chassis built.

The car was to put an end to nasty suggestions that the Begg/McLean partnership had been based on Begg’s money and McLean’s talent. While never denying the contribution of many people to the success of the team, Begg felt entitled to recognition as the team’s director and creative centre.

Murdoch and Begg decided on a two-year campaign. George had already concluded that the car must be simple and would draw on good experience gained in Britain.

The car would have sidepod radiators, a longer wheelbase, and weight closer to the centreline. The monocoque would be made from sandwiched polystyrene and aluminium sheets and driver protection would be extensive.

An existing motor was uprated with Bartz components from the USA, and McLaren suspension uprights were fitted. Inboard rear brakes meant wheels could be 13 or 15-inches. The chisel-shaped body resembled a McLaren M23 but that in turn reflected the general trend in body design.

The car’s chassis tub turned out to weigh only 4.5kg more than the FM5 but was as much as four times stronger. The first outing was to be round one of the 1974 Gold Star at Ruapuna in September.

Even the colour was a departure. After changing FM5 to black, George was all for 018 being painted the familiar Begg yellow. Murdoch persuaded him to paint it dark blue. But with yellow highlights.

George and Jim Murdoch finishing 018

The finished car was lighter than its British-built Lola rivals but was proving a problem child. Persistent fuel feed problems were compounded by the tow car being unavailable to get them to Ruapuna.

Determined to make round two at Levin, the car was sorted out a little further and proved surprisingly good in its first track sessions. Murdoch was not well and the competition was fierce: Graeme Lawrence in a new Lola T332, Neil Doyle in a Surtees, Frank Bray in the now ex-Oxton FM5 and Graham Baker in FM5/02.

018 was a sensation. Its design was ground breaking for New Zealand builders and it was clearly a match for the European designs. Its early running, however, was less exciting. Minor problems hampered the car’s speed but Murdoch made 4th on the grid on the tight Levin layout.

The first run of 018 resulted in a second placing. The team was delighted, and followed this with a third at Pukekohe a week later, though some of the niggling faults were still there. Fuel feed when the tanks were nearly empty was a major problem.

At the new Manfield circuit near Palmerston North, the car was dogged by faults and eventually overheated itself out of the race.

Back at Pukekohe, but with Lawrence in the opposition, 018 triumphed. Murdoch managed to get past Graham Baker’s FM5, and George Begg had the pleasure of seeing 018, an FM5 and an FM4 take the first three places.

The tally so far (and despite the teething troubles) was a second, a third and a first with a brand new car and a less-experienced driver. The New Zealand motoring press was quick to acknowledge the success of the team, and Begg’s contribution to New Zealand motor racing.

Fuel injection was fitted to the Bartz Chevrolet. At The Levels, Timaru, the car performed well and despite an off-track excursion, came back to finish fourth. Th last race, at Tauranga, saw Murdoch chase Lawrence with great determination but lapped traffic spoiled a final assault and he finished second. Second equal with Neil Doyle for the series (behind Lawrence) was a good outcome for the season, but the Tasman Series was about to start.

Underdogs in the Gold Star series, the Begg team was even lower rated as a chance in the 1975 Tasman Cup.

The first race at Levin revealed poor rear suspension but without replacement parts Murdoch had to do the best he could. Still battling ill-health, and a poor-handling car, Murdoch gamely pressed on for 6th.

At Pukekohe the next week the car was modified to try to cure the handling problem, with some success as the sixth grid position proved. On a wet track, Murdoch took advantage of Begg’s decision to start on rain tyres to force his way into 2nd by the end of the first lap, behind Australian Warwick Brown. With fancied runners falling by the wayside, and despite a spin, Murdoch maintained a strong pace to bring the car home to second place in the New Zealand Grand Prix. The team was ecstatic. Murdoch was awarded the Bruce McLaren Memorial Trophy as first New Zealander home, presented by Bruce McLaren’s father, Les. The McLaren connection was a warm reminder for George.

In a sharp reminder of the ups and downs of motor racing, Murdoch fared less well at Wigram, qualifying 8th and struggled to finish only one place better. At Teretonga a mid-field start was followed by a tentative run in slippery conditions, eventually becoming tangled up in a Kenny Smith spin.

Incentives to continue the series in Australia persuaded George to meet the team’s costs to take 018 to Sydney. Qualifying mid-grid was an appropriate start to the campaign as the engine was tired. Unfortunately it failed on the morning of the race so the car was withdrawn.

The car showed new problems at Adelaide, caused by the changes in temperature. What had worked fine in New Zealand’s cooler climate was not working so well in the Australian summer. Some hasty improvisation, and a rebuilt engine, earned the team a 7th, and some handy prize money.

At Melbourne’s Sandown Park, the engine again gave trouble and an elderly spare was fitted. Having to start off the back of the grid due to lack of practice, Murdoch eventually ran off the circuit, damaging the car.