12C GT3 – Automobiles Review

McLaren Reveals Specifications of 2013 12C GT3

2013 McLaren 12C GT3 will compete in this years season and will continue to be raced by all active GT teams who competed in last year. In addition to this, several new teams have now taken delivery of the 2013 model.

Furthermore the specifications of the new McLaren have already been disclosed and show that there will be number of changes, all of which designed to improve drivability, reliability and efficiency, coupled with reduced complexity.

Some of the changes feature a revised aerodynamics package, an upgraded ECU with a revised electrical system and alternative dampers. What is more, the 12C GT3 will also benefit from an updated cooling system which maximizes the performance of the car in the more varied conditions found in global championships.

There are also evident transformations on the bonnet and ducting, which now ensure that the 12C GT3 can run competitively in higher temperatures. Additionally, the revised aerodynamic package will enhance the balance and the tyre management of the vehicle.

2013 McLaren 12C GT3 technical specifications:

Chassis/Body

McLaren carbon fibre MonoCell with aluminium front and rear sub-frames
Bespoke lightweight carbon fibre body panels
Left hand drive
FIA approved safety roll cage

Aerodynamics

Front splitter
Rear wing, fully adjustable with gurney
Front and rear diffusers

Engine/Management

Race prepared 3.8L V8 twin turbo McLaren M838T
McLaren Electronics ECU interfacing with Bosch ABS and Shiftec transmission control units

Transmission

Six-speed sequential motorsport transmission pneumatically actuated via steering wheel mounted paddles

Electrical System

Lightweight motorsport specification wiring and connectors
Electronic power management system
Membrane type switch panel

Data System

McLaren Electronics ‘ATLAS’ data system
Digital dash display

Front/Rear Suspension

Double wishbone adjustable for ride height, camber and toe
Four-way adjustable dampers with coil over springs
Motorsport axles with single wheel retaining nut
Adjustable anti-roll bars
Forged aluminium wheels: Front 12” x 18”, Rear 13” x 18”

Steering

Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering
Unique McLaren GT steering wheel developed from MP4-24 Formula 1 steering wheel

Fuel System

Motorsport ‘bag tank’ system with 120L capacity
Motorsport ‘quick-fill’ system

Lubrication

Mobil engine and transmission lubrication

Brake System

Akebono monoblock calipers with ventilated discs:
- Front – 6 piston caliper, 378Ø x 36mm disc
- Rear – 4 piston caliper, 355Ø x 32mm disc
Bosch motorsport ABS

httpv://youtu.be/72jgg4BqYsY

Video Source: YouTube

Source: McLaren

January 18, 2013

McLaren 12C GT3s set for Total 24 Hours of Spa [VIDEO]

McLaren-12C-GT3-T Nine supercars carrying the brand McLaren will compete at the famous Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps next weekend. The examples at the most demanding events on the motorsport calendar will be exactly the astonishing McLaren 12C GT3.

In fact, the Spa 24-hour is unlike any other GT race. First of all it is more than spectacular. Secondly, the race track is incredibly challenging. This means that the circuit, the efficiency and reliability, as well as being able to react to the often changeable track conditions will be of utmost importance to all competitors.

McLaren revealed that they have put a lot of attention and effort to test and prepare for this great event. Hence, they are also expecting great results and eventually we are to witness them.

In the event, we are to see the 12C GT3s on track. They “come” from six distinctive liveries of McLaren GT customer teams. Chris Goodwin will be part of the driver line-up in one of Von Ryan Racing’s two 12C GT3s.

McLaren-12C-GT3-644 — McLaren 12C GT3 at the Total 24 Hours of Spa

Furthermore, the French ART Grand Prix team, will line up alongside Portuguese team ASM, with patriotic livery featuring green and red accents. The Lapidus Racing car on the other hand will be finished in white and McLaren Orange.

Belgium’s Boutsen-Ginion Racing team will compete with two cars, which both were finished in a striking black and orange design. Gulf Racing completes the McLaren line-up with two cars wearing the famous blue and orange livery.

Few days ahead of the race, a high-quality short film has been produced, which you can view below. In it you will see the driver Rob Bell previewing the challenging 4.35 mile (7.004km) Spa-Francorchamps circuit. He will reveal what kind of challenges are facing the teams and what it is that makes the 24 hours of Spa so appealing.

httpv://youtu.be/WyT9gyscshQ

Source: McLaren

July 24, 2012

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship

The new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 is ready for race debut in 2012, following an intensive development programme in 2011. The competitive race season begins for new McLaren GT customer teams in Germany on 31 March, with the opening rounds of the VLN and ADAC GT Masters championships at the Nürburgring Nordschliefe and Oschersleben respectively.

The MP4-12C sports car, on which the GT3 racer is based, will also make its debut as a safety car in the FIA GT1 World Championship race at the Nogaro circuit in France on 8-9 April.

The McLaren race cars will wear the unique liveries of ART, ASM, Boutsen Energy, Gulf Racing, Molitor Racing, United Autosports and Von Ryan Racing. The JAS team will also take part in selected rounds of the championship. Footage of the new 12C GT3s at the test event in southern France can be seen at “mclarenautomotivetv channel” vai Youtube.

Gemballa Racing and Doerr Motorsport will compete in the 12C GT3 in the German VLN series, which includes the famous 24 Hour Nürburgring endurance race in May.

Molitor Racing and Gemballa Racing will run in ADAC GT Masters, and French FIA GT1 Champions Hexis Racing will line up on the grid of the FIA GT1 World Championship. Series Champions Apex Motorsport will enter a new 12C GT3 in selected rounds of this year’s British GT championship, while the Lapidus Racing team will contest the International GT Open series, and also compete in forthcoming 24-hour races at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Circuit de Catalunya in Spain.

Teams racing the 12C GT3 in 2012 have enlisted the services of highly successful racing drivers for the 2012 season. Former Formula 1 drivers Mark Blundell and David Brabham (also a Le Mans 24hr winning driver) will race for United Autosports and 2011 Formula 2 competitor Jack Clarke will drive for Boutsen Energy. Rob Bell, Alvaro Parente and Alexander Sims, who recently joined the McLaren GT driver line-up for 2012, will be placed with customer teams, while McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin will also contest selected races in a 12C GT3 throughout the season.

“I’m excited that we are so close to seeing the 12C GT3 in its first full race season. The feedback I have received from customers that have already taken delivery of the car is very positive.”, commented Andrew Kirkaldy, Project Manager for McLaren GT.

“The 2011 development programme was challenging, but had many highlights. We started with a pole position in qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps in the British GT Championship, and ended the race season with a third place finish in Macau. In one year, McLaren GT has taken the 12C GT3 from concept to race readiness. We will learn more about the car in the early part of the season – and expectations will naturally be high of a car full of Formula 1 technology – but our objective is to makes the 12C GT3 as much a pleasure to own and run as it is race.” , he added.

The 12C GT3 shares the same V8 twin turbo engine and carbon ‘MonoCell’ chassis as its road car sibling, and its aerodynamic package was developed by McLaren GT in partnership with specialist engineers and designers at McLaren Automotive.

Source: McLaren

March 29, 2012

Three McLaren MP4-12C GT3 race cars at Spa-Francorchamps

McLaren will take place at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit this weekend for Total 24 Hours of Spa. The manufacturers follows the successful race debut there in the British GT Championship early in July.

Totally ten racing drivers will pilot three McLaren MP4-12 Race cars in the first ever 24 hour race for this model.

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.

Check out the driver line-up, below!

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

Source: McLaren

July 26, 2011

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Price – £310 000

The price of the new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 is £310 000. The manufacturer will build just 20 units, which will race for teams in 2012.

At a press conference held at the McLaren Technology Centre, senior McLaren GT executives revealed to the world’s media and a group of prospective 12C GT3 clients the price and development programme details of the first non-Formula 1 race car built by McLaren since the McLaren F1 GTR.

“Having been a customer of GT car manufacturers for many years, I’m delighted we are now able to offer a carbon chassis based GT3 car for £310,000. There will be no hidden costs and we will work as hard as we can to support as many races as we can.”, commented Andrew Kirkaldy, CRS Racing Team Principal and Project Manager for McLaren GT

“We will spend the 2011 season developing the car with a team from McLaren Racing, McLaren Applied Technologies and McLaren Automotive and make sure this is the most efficient, reliable and easy to drive GT3 car on the grid when we deliver cars to customers next year.”, he added.

“The new MP4-12C sports car is the essence of a race car and we used Formula 1 simulation technology to get us ahead in our development programme. We have a unique mix of experience in the McLaren GT team and I expect the 12C GT3 to be the start of our GT racing plans. We have had great success outside of Formula 1, from the US, to France, to Japan and there is no reason why we can’t repeat that success in sports cars after 2012.”, said Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group CEO.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Conference