Alastair's BLE 2 Blog: McLaren MP4-12C GT3

2011年5月5日木曜日

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren is making its way back into the GT sports car racing scene with a limited number of GT3 racing cars based on the MP4-12C sports car. These models will be designed and developed by McLaren and CRS Racing, and should make their first racing debut in the 2012 European FIA GT3 Series.

"The 12C?s architecture and design was always aimed at high-performance and ease of maintenance - two key criteria for potential customers. Combine that with the vast amount of racing experience in our automotive team, and CRS Racing?s specialist development experience, and the 12C GT3 should be an exciting proposition for the top teams planning to race in GT3 from 2012."

McLaren is confident that the MP4-12C’s revolutionary lightweight one-piece moulded carbon chassis, high levels of downforce and aerodynamic performance, and focus on form and function make it an obvious choice to bring back racing success to the McLaren name. The last win McLaren had was in the McLaren F1 GTR when it won the Lemans Series 15 years ago. The MP4-12C GT3 will be the first McLaren car built for FIA GT series racing since the McLaren F1 GTR finished production in 1997.

UPDATE 05/04/2011: New race car manufacturer, McLaren GT, has a busy year planned as they unveil their full team and development program for the MP4-12C GT3 racer. McLaren Group CEO, Martin Whitmarsh, took the time out to present the new MP4-12C GT3 race car and the 12C sports car in action together at Spain’s Circuito de Navarra ahead of McLaren GT’s debut race later this year in the Blancpain Endurance Series. Following the debut race, the GT3 will also be entering the Magny-Cours in France and Silverstone in England, with plans to also take part in the Total 24 Hours of Spa endurance race. The MP4-12C will also be making a special appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 1-3, 2011. Piloting the race car during these events will be CRS Racing Team Principal Andrew Kirkaldy, 2010 Vodafone McLaren Mercedes test driver Oliver Turvey, and Portuguese racing driver �lvaro Parente.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 4 May 2011 10:00 EST.