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 05/05/2011: At yesterday’s official launch of the new MP4-12C GT3 race car, managing Director Antony Sheriff talked about the company’s future plans and we like what we heard. Turns out, the company has plans to offer a road legal version of the GT3. It will be limited to about 20 units and will be put on sale at a price higher than $500K.
In an interview with Inside Line Sheriff also said that McLaren doesn’t have any plans to "over-egg it" with the MP4-12C. A roadgoing McLaren is in the works, but the car will not get various models like Porsche did with the 911.
McLaren MP4-12C GT3 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 5 May 2011 19:00 EST.
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