As the on track development of the new GT3 McLaren MP4–12C continues, with another date with the Blancpain Endurance Series at Magny-Cours, France later this month, the manufacturer has announced the first 20 cars available to customers have now been sold.
With confirmed customers including Gulf Racing, Apex Motorsport, Andrew Tate as well as Von Ryan Racing – who assisted in the running of one car at the Total 24 Hours of Spa – examples of the MP4-12C will be racing across Europe in 2012. A full list of customers will be published before the 2012 season.
The news marks the latest step in the development of the MP4-12C, which only began in March with the first shakedown tests on Silverstone's Stowe Circuit. The car made its race debut at Spa-Francorchamps in early July in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship before running in the 24 hours race at the Belgian track.
“The new 12C GT3 has gone from its first ever shakedown to a 24 hour endurance race in a matter of a few months,” said McLaren GT project manager Andrew Kirkaldy. “That is a huge achievement for the car and its new componentry, as well as the team responsible for its development.”
“Our new customers appreciate that taking a race season to develop the 12C GT3 means we are able to deliver a level of reliability and driveability that exceeds their expectations of new race cars. Like the 12C road car, the GT3 version is based on a carbon 'MonoCell' chassis and has an all-new engine and transmission arrangement, as well as a bespoke aerodynamics package. In tests and at races this season we have seen these technologies prove to be robust and efficient. Our experiences during this race season are helping us refine the 12C GT3's technical credentials.”
Martin Whitmarsh, CEO of McLaren Group added:“The technological expertise we have in McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive is now being introduced to a different level of motorsport by McLaren GT. Since the launch of McLaren GT we have been overwhelmed by the number of enquiries received to purchase the 12C GT3. Our new customers are leaders in GT racing, and we're confident that we will deliver to them the most efficient, reliable and easy to drive car among the competition when it lines up on the grid next year”
“Our clients are looking forward to receiving a GT car full of Formula 1 technology, and we are committed to ensuring ownership of the 12C GT3 is as enjoyable as racing it.”
The car features a steering wheel derived from that of the Formula 1 car, as well as a carbon fibre MonoCell which uses technology developed in McLaren's decades of F1 experience. A McLaren built V8 provides the power through a 6-speed sequential gearbox.
