MCLAREN MP4-12C GT3

McLaren GT, a new race car that brings together the expertise of McLaren Racing, McLaren Automotive has revealed and CRS Racing, McLaren MP4-12C GT3 race car and plans for a development program for 2011.

The new GT3 McLaren MP4-12C will be the first car built at the McLaren FIA GT racing series since the McLaren F1 GTR finished production in 1997. WG3 12C is based on the new high performance sports car MP4-12C and a team of engineers, designers and test pilots with extensive experience in Formula 1 and GT Racing was formed to undertake the process of adapting Carbon 12C based on racing chassis specification.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group CEO, said. "McLaren has the race in his blood and was a natural step to make our way car MP4-12C and making it the most reliable, efficient and easy to drive the network GT3 All vehicles will have their performance standards balanced by race, which means that our goal should be to select a technical specification that provides a driver is able to limit the access performance of the GT3 12C easily.

"We worked with CRS Racing 12C to ensure the design and development is as close as possible to rent one of the McLaren Formula 1 Racing Team to develop a CRS is well qualified to shape decisions in this area because they have an excellent reputation for GT3 racing car and understand what it is to succeed at this level of competition in motorsport.

"In return for McLaren Racing has the opportunity to bring technology to new levels of racing GT3. Nothing GT3 Cars in 2012, will be involved in carbon road frame, or car steering wheel, and other related technologies Formula 1 car.

"GT3 is 12C to 12C in carbon single cell and the same steering wheel design used by Lewis Hamilton in his MP4-24 Formula 1 Plus, we work closely with the Formula 1 journalists past and present. Akebono, Mobil 1, McLaren Electronic Systems, Ricardo, and Michelin, for example. This is a mixture of road cars and Formula 1 technology and experience a great advantage for anyone to compete 12C GT3 in 2012. "
Drivers and approved by the FIA ​​confirmed races for 2011

McLaren GT aims to provide the highest quality, most reliable and driveable car grid of 20 GT3 cars delivered in private teams to compete in Europe in 2012. The unique combination of McLaren Racing and CRS technology and development methodology is similar to the McLaren GT Appointment of experienced pilots and to develop successful GT3 12C is a tough race in 2011.

McLaren GT GT3 will make its debut the new McLaren MP4-12C this season Blancpain Endurance Series race Circuit de Navarra in Spain, then France, Magny-Cours and Silverstone, England. As part of the 12C program development, GT3, GT McLaren should also be a total of 24 hours of Spa endurance race.

SRC Racing Team Principal Andrew Kirkaldy will be joined in 2010 Vodafone McLaren Mercedes test driver Oliver Turvey and Portuguese Alvaro Parente racing driver in the McLaren GT line-up for the 2011 program development.

McLaren fans eager to see the first GT car racing from the legendary McLaren F1 GTR McLaren can expect to see the new GT3 12C raises the famous hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​from January to March July 2011.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 development goals

McLaren GT includes a group of designers, engineers and testers' experience in developing a successful racing and road cars. Marcus Waite, GT McLaren's chief engineer, began his career with the simulation of the McLaren Formula 1 Group. Road to Formula 1 team, where he was Senior Test Team Engineer many years ago was followed by his appointment to McLaren Automotive Test Team Leader is responsible for the new MP4-12C, a sports car. Combining the practical experience of Formula 1 development methodology and a deep understanding of the 12C spec-road vehicles is a valuable McLaren GT.

Marcus Waite said: "We defined the technical requirements of the GT3 12C in the McLaren simulator and I'm happy to say that feedback from the three pilot of the new team means we can now focus on creating fine-tuning of the car, and does not address fundamental changes.

.. "Nothing can replace the pound 12C GT3 around the circuits that we race, so that is what we are doing is important to program circuit Versatile Circuit de Navarra, Spain is a great song: a combination of fast straights and slow corners and along and then the new calibration test of the engine must take the relentless acceleration from low speeds. The successful test does not mean that we are now convinced of the durability of the transmission.
"We continued to Navarra with a test session at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal. Cubits long, sweeping and fast in this circuit have been a good test for new oil tank, we have designed for the 12C GT3. The oil is in constant motion until the new tank proved reliable in this environment.

"These are just two examples of how that will test all components of the 12C GT3 before handing the car racing team in 2012. I personally will not be satisfied until they have undertaken test programs are requirements over 3 hours and 24 hour endurance race. We are committed to meet the new challenges that the teams racing are often faced with his first season running a new car GT3 and ensure that our customers receive the first season next car very reliable. "

Formula 1 simulator prepares the new GT3 12C for its track debut

4. March, almost 30 years since the first day of racing cars in the world carbon-based, the McLaren MP4 / 1 was shaken down at Silverstone (March 5, 1981), 12C GT3 also debuted on the British circuit.

A week later, took Circuito de Navarra, Spain, the first round of the FIA ​​circuit. These practice sessions to get used to, and after months of testing ofextensive simulated versions of the circuits of international competitions, such as Silverstone, the Circuit de Catalunya and Paul Ricard. simulated test GT McLaren was able to develop the calibration of the engine, power steering, spring rates, weight distribution, the gears and differential settings.

Mark Williams, Head of Vehicle Engineering at McLaren Racing, said. "The new GT3 12C was originally developed in the simulator, where we could fully explore the parameter space, in the power, weight and target support We used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to develop aero, then tested the various maps, figures in the McLaren simulator that works with Team McLaren Automotive Simulation set the vehicle in place and access leadership qualities that result. Being able to review our aero package and set the car with a simulator developed for Formula 1 before the first track running is unique. No other car GT3 has been specified using this level of technology. "

After meeting Spanish Shakedown, Andrew Kirkaldy Team Principal of McLaren Racing and GT CRS project, said: "The performance of the car in Navarre witnessed the work we have done in the McLaren simulator in choosing the right set-up of the car. The virtual and the real world versions of GT3 12C felt almost identical.

"The new aerodynamic body and features are designed to 12C GT3 are of excellent quality and significantly increase the dynamic performance of the car. This quality can only be obtained through FE analysis and design to know the best way to apply the fiber carbon. McLaren is this abundance of information.

A new aero package produced entirely in carbon fiber has been developed by McLaren Racing, in accordance with GT3 rules, including a new front splitter, the wing blade, rear diffuser and the shutters on the front fenders.

Cooperation with McLaren Applied Technologies, McLaren GT plans to offer its customers the opportunity to develop 12C GT3 with programs tailored to the McLaren simulator. Chris Goodwin said: "The mortgage is a huge competitive advantage to develop the McLaren Formula 1 racing cars and McLaren Automotive to develop in the future a range of sports cars.

"We recognize that teams will compete in next year's GT3 12C before their competitors can use custom-made McLaren a simulation program for the entire race season. We intend to publish all the information available for the simulation program 12C owners and GT3 other potential customers by the end of the year. "

McLaren MP4-12C: The essence of a race car

racing experience and development tools have played a key role in creating the state of their racing program 12C GT3 2011. But before the car is running to the door of competition, McLaren, in the form of McLaren Automotive set out to develop a high performance sports car that sets new standards for speed, handling, efficiency, handling and braking: a from an obsession with purity of aerodynamics and light engineering. Assets and goals that make the McLaren MP4-12C a road car ideal for the development of a GT car to win races.

Where plans have been agreed to take races 12C, key members of the design and McLaren Automotive engineering team were keen to support this natural step for McLaren.

Mark Vinnels, McLaren Automotive Program Director, said: "It was an obvious decision to take the race 12C in the early stages of vehicle development, as we were integrating the core members of the McLaren Racing Team road development car, and this mixture of experience. skills combined with a "can-do" attitude and desire to grow, which is technically possible, has led to both drive a car and a unique racing car. At the headquarters of the McLaren Technology Centre, we pass the McLaren F1 GTR that won Le Mans in 95 daily. Racing has changed since then and we have no plans to develop a McLaren to win Le Mans live yet, but the number 59 car is really an inspiration to us all. "

Frank Stephenson, McLaren Automotive Design Director, said: "Conceptually 12C road car and the road to the future of McLaren cars are" easy "to automotive design, we are in a direct aerodynamic efficiency, and this excludes the challenge to the body styling or unnecessary details, which can quickly become dated fashions change .. Our engineers are passionate about designing cars capable of telling what's going on under the skin and continues to matter: there are an engineering company at heart and we must not forget this fact Therefore, supporting the GT3 car is a great project to work with: .. the car needs more air to breathe and needs more downforce hug the track yet it also accelerates the pulse, which goes about his business. car GT3 really gets the heart racing! "

Under McLaren orange peel. The GT3 chassis part 12C "single cell" the same 75 kg of carbon 12C road car since modern McLaren was founded in 1981, he used carbon fiber for the chassis design of all road and race: it was a natural choice for the heart of the MP4-12C. Lightweight design and innovation through manufacturing Resin Transfer Moulding is a priority for the engineers and designers responsible for 12C chassis. The result is a road car, at 1301 kg, the lightest in the "core" of the sector's high performance sports car market.

Andrew Kirkaldy, said: "I think the MP4-12C is an engineering marvel and it starts with a carbon chassis rigid chassis is extremely important for a single cell McLaren racer is unmatched as a security cell, and our engineers can be sure that any changes .. chassis set will have the desired effect because of its structural rigidity and predictability.

"12C is the first road car that I raced on the track, it really is overwhelmed by its dynamic performance. We had some engineering aspects of the specific GT3 race car, but I can not imagine a better place to start than the new 12C" .

CRS Racing redeem the expectations of the new McLaren race car

The dominant conception of the new road car McLaren MP4-12C is "designed around the driver, and this is just one example of McLaren's unwavering commitment to provide a new driving experience for car and road race. SRC Racing Team Principal Andrew Kirkaldy brings a decade of experience in racing McLaren GT and GT, as project leader of the team, Kirkaldy was able to enter the cockpit and other attributes 12C GT3 restrictions normally associated with racing cars are removed from the GT3 McLaren.

Andrew Kirkaldy, said: "CRS Racing is pleased to work with McLaren expectations are high and rightly Together we share a passion for design, innovation and success of engineering to ensure the most competitive race in GT3 12C series .. 2012.

"When Martin Whitmarsh for the first time out racing in the CRS I was happy that his main goal was to make our customers 'needs McLaren GT' and drivers, a high priority. This message transcends all we are doing. Rigorous Development to ensure reliability, the technical characteristics of the 12C cross the GT3 cars in the race, such as contacts, we have Formula 1 technology suppliers to build quality into consideration the high standards of 12C road car, and the maximum performance available on the various drivers levels of experience.

"Before the McLaren GT, CRS drove a race car builder clients. Sometimes it was recognized that the GT cars are unreliable from the beginning, because the producers of cars before the technology has proven to be racing. At McLaren GT We know that expectations are higher. We want our customers to experience the excellent performance of metronomic reliability.

"Our experience allows us to identify the problems encountered previously by race teams and drivers and respond. In the cab of the 12C GT3 for example, we have ensured that the pedal position is exactly in line with the positions of the seat and steering wheel. The driving position many cars in GT3 is compromised by comparison. "

Technical specifications and performance expectations of the corresponding McLaren

12C just like a street car, the McLaren is working closely with specialist suppliers to offer innovative and lightweight. 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 McLaren 'M838T' road car engine will also have the characteristics of the GT3 12C, but de-set at 500 hp (600 PS), so that the cars racing optimal power-performance balanced .

The new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 features a unique setting of the engine, transmission from progress and developed in collaboration with Ricardo (who also developed the McLaren engine) and suspension system tuned to the particular race.

Mark Williams said: "When the balance tires grip progressing GT3 competition tires has been the focus must move forward, and the only way to do this to reduce the weight back Ricardo six-speed sequential gearbox was chosen because the breed-specific transmission is 80 kg lighter than the transition seamless, seven-speed used on the road. car. All internal components have been shown in other racing series. Then Ricardo challenged to further reduce the weight, so the unit is custom-made clamshell design. This is just one example of how we are continually looking to reduce weight and increase efficiency. "

TAG McLaren chose GT-400 Engine Control Unit for the new GT3 12C. TAG-400 is a compact, standalone engine management and data logger for race engines designed and built by McLaren Electronic Systems. Supply of components from suppliers are used to working with partners in Formula 1 is another example of BT McLaren reaches its goal of building a car GT3 quality and reliability.

Williams said: "McLaren GT is a small organization of McLaren Racing, but applies the methodology of Formula 1 in all possible areas.

"We worked with Akebono in Formula 1 for many years and I am happy to be called in such a committed, reliable partner of the McLaren GT. Akebono Brake calipers provide and also designed a shoe tailored to 12C GT3. Our own experts McLaren Racing has worked closely with Michelin to develop the right tire model simulation program 12C GT3. And relationships with suppliers are important to the suppliers themselves. I am sure that Mobil 1 and Ricardo will learn a lot to work on advanced transmission lubricants new GT3 12C. "

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 customer commitment

Complete a rigorous program of development at the end of 2011 season McLaren GT GT3 for the strong support of a program to ensure all customers GT3 McLaren MP4-12C can remain competitive throughout the 2012 season.

Martin Whitmarsh said: "We speak regularly with potential customers GT3 12C now, and these reports only reinforced when the teams receive 20 cars we are going to build for next season.

"This is the first step in the GT3 race, McLaren, and we understand that we focus on quality must be consistent throughout the design, development, technology, finishing and customer service. I am proud of the relationship between McLaren Racing is with sponsors and partner now, and I can not wait to extend this to customers of the new MP4-12C GT3.

The initial request for first GT3 McLaren MP4-12C 20 is high, with interest, suggesting that McLaren Racing and the SRC can sell five times more. However, neither company has no desire to expand the market and pose a risk of oversupply is or restrictions on customer service. value used in each GT3 is also a high priority for McLaren and the SRC, and the first customers when they take delivery.

In the longer term, about 20 GT3 his intention to build in 2013 and '14, but both McLaren and the SRC will remain open and optimistic about the development of race cars of other series and markets.

Andrew Kirkaldy sum up the attitude of customer orientation and two companies. "We treat our customers with respect After spending time today in the McLaren incredible, and saw his hand close to their aspirations to launch a new sports car company, it is clear that as always, wanting to do things better is through the support race, the supply of parts, or even the mere fact that the selling price of the car is its price -. no surprises - we want to do business with us a pleasure If we can celebrate and wins the race in the spring of 2012, then even better. "!