harmanjit_kaur
Waheguru Waheguru
Back in Action: McLaren Reveals Progress, Early Plans for MP4-12C GT3
McLaren has been absent from sports car racing for many years but the MP4-12C GT3 is nearly ready to break that streak.
As we’ve previously explored, the MP4-12C is an automotive engineer’s dream car but formal racing required some changes. To start, the base MP4-12C ditches its advanced ProActive Chassis Control System, because GT3 rules say you can’t have hydraulic lines that act in place of anti-roll bars. Instead, the GT3-ready McLaren will use the bars and racing-spec dampers. Custom Akebono brake calipers replace the AP Racing clampers fitted to the street-legal MP4-12C.
The body was altered and is close to 4 inches wider than the standard MP4-12C. With aerodynamics in mind, McLaren crafted an entire GT3 package: composite body panels, front splitter, rear wing, rear diffuser, fender louvers, and door blades. With great mechanical grip from the competition-only Michelin rubber, the aero should only build on the overall handling package.
For power delivery, the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 has been tuned to racing specification, though don’t expect any drastic changes to the powerplant. A special Ricardo gearbox can be found on the GT3 car instead of the Graziano seven-speed, twin-clutch unit on the normal 12C. McLaren designed a motorsport-spec electrics system (includes data retrieval), and Bosch brought a revised ABS system.
With all its new kit, the 12C GT3 was taken for a shakedown at the Motor Industry Research Association proving grounds and Silverstone Circuit, both in the United Kingdom. To help develop and drive the car, McLaren hired Portuguese racing driver Alvaro Parente, the first of six planned total test drivers. With competition in mind for 2011, the Woking outfit is targeting to have all six drivers by mid-2011. McLaren GT project manager Andrew Kirkaldy and McLaren Automotive chief test driver Chris Goodwin will continue their managerial responsibilities for the GT3 program.
Testing will be held at a number of European tracks through April. A competition schedule will be released after testing, and CRS Racing will still be lending a hand when McLaren starts supplying the 12C GT3 chassis to privateer racers in 2012.
For more McLaren MP4-12C GT3 visual action, there’s a video below, courtesy of McLaren’s YouTube channel.
McLaren has been absent from sports car racing for many years but the MP4-12C GT3 is nearly ready to break that streak.
As we’ve previously explored, the MP4-12C is an automotive engineer’s dream car but formal racing required some changes. To start, the base MP4-12C ditches its advanced ProActive Chassis Control System, because GT3 rules say you can’t have hydraulic lines that act in place of anti-roll bars. Instead, the GT3-ready McLaren will use the bars and racing-spec dampers. Custom Akebono brake calipers replace the AP Racing clampers fitted to the street-legal MP4-12C.
The body was altered and is close to 4 inches wider than the standard MP4-12C. With aerodynamics in mind, McLaren crafted an entire GT3 package: composite body panels, front splitter, rear wing, rear diffuser, fender louvers, and door blades. With great mechanical grip from the competition-only Michelin rubber, the aero should only build on the overall handling package.
For power delivery, the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 has been tuned to racing specification, though don’t expect any drastic changes to the powerplant. A special Ricardo gearbox can be found on the GT3 car instead of the Graziano seven-speed, twin-clutch unit on the normal 12C. McLaren designed a motorsport-spec electrics system (includes data retrieval), and Bosch brought a revised ABS system.
With all its new kit, the 12C GT3 was taken for a shakedown at the Motor Industry Research Association proving grounds and Silverstone Circuit, both in the United Kingdom. To help develop and drive the car, McLaren hired Portuguese racing driver Alvaro Parente, the first of six planned total test drivers. With competition in mind for 2011, the Woking outfit is targeting to have all six drivers by mid-2011. McLaren GT project manager Andrew Kirkaldy and McLaren Automotive chief test driver Chris Goodwin will continue their managerial responsibilities for the GT3 program.
Testing will be held at a number of European tracks through April. A competition schedule will be released after testing, and CRS Racing will still be lending a hand when McLaren starts supplying the 12C GT3 chassis to privateer racers in 2012.
For more McLaren MP4-12C GT3 visual action, there’s a video below, courtesy of McLaren’s YouTube channel.
