McLaren MP4-12C GT3 to race at Spa-Francorchamps

The McLaren MP4-12C GT3 will race at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, 30-31 July, in the Total 24-Hour  – three of them in fact, with 10 lucky drivers, racing in Pro-Cup and Pro-Am Cup categories. The 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. The endurance race will be the first time out endurance racing at the classic Belgian circuit, since its successful race debut there in the British GT Championship early in July. 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 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.” Looking forward to seeing them out in action. Sure they will do well, assuming the gremlins don't strike...