McLaren car on epic trip crashes in NZ

A multi-million dollar McLaren F1 racer is in a ditch after veering off a New Zealand road while on a tour honouring the late Bruce McLaren, the manufacturer's Kiwi founder.

The car crashed on Glenorchy-Queenstown Road about on Saturday afternoon, with the driver suffering minor injuries.

The driver is reported to be a 65-year-old Australian man who has a broken or sprained thumb.

A McLaren spokeswoman confirmed the car was an Formula One racer but declined to give further details.

It's believed to be 1994 model. Images of the racer covered by a dustsheet have made the rounds on media websites.

McLaren hosed down the attention, saying it was only a minor accident.

The F1s are capable of travelling at almost 400km/h and versions of them have sold for as much as $US13.5 ($NZ19) million.

A convoy of McLarens from around the world has been travelling from Auckland to Queenstown on the Epic NZ Tour. The tour, organised by the company, pays tribute to the Bruce McLaren and ends on Saturday.

On Thursday tour participants were flown by helicopters to Minaret Station. Pilots included former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw. Friday was spent at Highlands Motorsport Park.

McLaren's daughter Amanda is on the trip, as well as F1 racing star Ayrton Senna's nephew Bruno Senna and five-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hour Race Derek Bell, according to media reports.