Mclaren Entering 3 Mp4-12C Gt3's In Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours

[N1GTR]

TRIO OF MP4-12C GT3 RACE CARS TO STAR FOR McLAREN GT AT TOTAL 24 HOURS OF SPA

Jul 26, 2011

- Ten drivers to compete in three MP4-12C GT3 race cars at Spa-Francorchamps on 30-31 July

- 12C GT3 is the first race car converted from a McLaren road car to make a 24 hour race debut since the McLaren F1 GTR at Le Mans in 1995

- McLaren GT customer VonRyan Racing to manage third MP4-12C GT3 in Pro-Am Cup category

McLaren GT returns to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit this weekend for Total 24 Hours of Spa, following a successful race debut there in the British GT Championship early in July. The second race in the MP4-12C GT3's development programme will see ten experienced racing drivers pilot three cars in the 12C GT3's first ever 24 hour race.

The McLaren GT driver line-up for the Total 24 Hours of Spa includes CRS Racing Team Principal Andrew Kirkaldy and McLaren Automotive Chief Test driver Chris Goodwin. Both are Directors of the new McLaren GT company, which is led by McLaren Group CEO Martin Whitmarsh and includes McLaren Racing Head of Vehicle Engineering Mark Williams.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 drivers for Total 24 Hours of Spa:

Pro-Cup category

Car 58 (McLaren GT):

Rob Bell - GB

Chris Goodwin - GB

Tim Mullen – GB

Car 59 (McLaren GT):

Andrew Kirkaldy - GB

Álvaro Parente - POR

Oliver Turvey - GB

Pro-Am Cup category

Car 60 (McLaren GT and VonRyan Racing):

Adam Christodoulou - GB

Glynn Geddie – GB

Phil Quaife - GB

Roger Wills – NZL

McLaren GT is using the 2011 race season to develop the 12C GT3, with 20 cars due for delivery to privateer teams for GT3 series racing in 2012. Chris Goodwin said: "I was very happy with the performance of the 12C GT3 in its debut race at Spa. We secured an amazing pole position at the first attempt and importantly for future customers; the 12C GT3 was reliable, fast and easy to drive.

"I'm delighted with the quality of the drivers we have enlisted as we take the 12C GT3 to its first 24 hour race. This level of endurance racing is a crucial test for the car technically, and we need the best possible team working with us to ensure we receive intelligent, objective feedback on the 12C GT3 driving experience. We will use this feedback as we continue to develop the car in readiness for customers to go racing next year.

"We will be taking the opportunity at Spa to work with a future McLaren GT customer, VonRyan Racing. We want to develop close relationships with all our customer race teams and this experience will be valuable in developing our customer support programme for 2012 and beyond."

Source; McLaren Media

A real shame we wont have this broadcast locally on the "sport" channel OneHD

[Rhys9]

Man that would be a good one to see!!

Anyone have any info on how MP4 goes compared to its competion??

Rhys

[T04GTR]

specs? said it was going to be on top gear but it wasnt.....

[Angus Smart]

i think it was on top gear the other weekk

http://www.finalgear.com/shows/topgear/17/3/

[dori34]

beautiful car, if only the street versions had this kind of kit and styling to it.

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

specs?

Powered by a M838T 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo with 368 kW.

Compared to the road car, the MP4-12C GT3 produces less power due to homologation.

The car features a new bespoke 6-speed gearbox that is 80 kg lighter than the road car's 7-speed.

The McLaren MP4-12 Road Car produces 440 kW.

Having said that, it being the Successor to the McLaren F1, the MP4-12C GT3 will still be on hell of an aggressive competitor.