Dynamic world debut : McLaren MP4-12C GT3

2011 McLaren MP4-12C GT3

The first McLaren car built for racing outside of Formula 1 since the McLaren F1 GTR will make its public dynamic world debut at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed, held from 30 June-03 July. The new GT3 car, based on McLaren’s MP4-12C high-performance road car, will appear in its revised form, honed during a recent intense period of development.

New components designed to optimise the car’s aerodynamic performance include a front radiator, which increases the maximum ambient temperature at which the car can run, along with a new gearbox cooler mounted on the rear Aerodeck. These features complete an aerodynamics package incorporating a new front splitter, door blade, rear wing, diffuser and louvres in the front fenders, all of which is produced entirely from carbon fibre by McLaren Racing, following design input from McLaren Automotive.

The 12C GT3 is being developed by the recently established McLaren GT. Led by McLaren Group CEO Martin Whitmarsh and CRS Racing Team Principal Andrew Kirkaldy, McLaren GT is spending the 2011 race season developing the 12C GT3 before delivering 20 cars to privateer teams for GT3 racing in Europe in 2012.

Like the 12C road car, the MP4-12C GT3 features a unique one-piece carbon fibre chassis, the ‘MonoCell’. McLaren introduced a carbon fibre monocoque to Formula 1 in 1981, and the 12C GT3 will feature several other Formula 1-derived technologies. The 12C GT3 will be supplied with the same steering wheel design used by Lewis Hamilton in his MP4-24 Formula 1 car. Formula 1 suppliers past and present including Akebono, Mobil 1, McLaren Electronic Systems, Ricardo and Michelin are working with McLaren GT to create a race car specification technologically superior to the GT3 competition in 2012.

Since the 12C GT3 was unveiled to the media and prospective team owners in May 2011, McLaren GT has tested its new car at a mixture of proving grounds and FIA approved circuits across Europe. This development phase is an opportunity for McLaren GT to optimise the technical specification and durability of the 12C GT3.

Andrew Kirkaldy from McLaren GT said: “The reaction to the 12C GT3 at the circuits we have visited has been phenomenal. I can’t wait to see how it goes down at Goodwood this weekend.

“CRS Racing was clearly excited to be confirmed as partner in this project as we were only too aware of McLaren’s short, but unbelievable GT history with the F1. But the anticipation amongst circuit owners and race teams to McLaren’s return to GT racing has still surprised us. I’m delighted that we have the opportunity to drive the 12C GT3 up the hill at Goodwood and raise the interest even further.”

Confirmed drivers of the GT3 car for the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed weekend are Andrew Kirkaldy, 2010 Vodafone McLaren Mercedes test driver Oliver Turvey, and McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Technical Specification

Width (mm)	1995mm
Height (mm)	1145mm
Wheelbase (mm)	2670mm
Fuel tank capacity	120 litres
Chassis/body	McLaren carbon fibre MonoCell with aluminum front and rear frames and bespoke carbon body panels
Aerodynamics	Front and rear diffuser, front splitter, dive planes and adjustable rear wing.
Transmission	6 speed sequential using actuation via steering wheel mounted paddles Limited slip differential with a range of ramps and adjustable pre-load. Wet sump Sintered clutch hydraulically operated Driveshafts with tripod joints
Engine type	V8 twin turbo McLaren M838T
Engine capacity	3.8L
Bore x Stroke	93 x 69.9
Max. Engine speed	Limited to 7500rpm
Cylinder block	Cast aluminium , 90 deg V angle, dry sump scavenge, Nikasil coated liners
Crankshaft	Forged steel flat plane
Pistons	Forged aluminium
Conrods	Forged steel
Cylinder head	Cast aluminium with plastic composite cam covers, inlet & exhaust variable cam timing
Valvetrain	32V with 40 deg variable cam timing on intake & exhaust. Low mass with sliding contact end pivoted pinger followers, single variable rate springs and hollow cast chilled iron camshafts
Intake system	Two water/air charge air coolers. Plastic composite plenum.
Exhaust system	Cast stainless steel exhaust manifold with compact MHI fixed geometry turbo chargers. 970 deg C turbine inlet temperature.
Fuel system	Returnless fuel rail with twin fuel tank mounted pumps and twin spray injectors
Engine management	MESL TAG400 ECU & CIU 100 Interfacing with Bosch ABS and Shiftec control units
Wiring harness	Modular installation: Engine, chassis, fuel cell
Lubrication	MOBIL1: engine and transmission
Cooling	Air/water heat exchangers for engine water and charge air cooling combined with water/oil heat exchangers for engine, transmission & PAS.
Front axle	SKF integrated axles with handed single wheel retaining nut
Rear axle	SKF integrated axles with handed single wheel retaining nut
Front suspension	Double wishbone adjustable for ride height camber and toe
Rear suspension	Double wishbone adjustable for ride height camber and toe
Dampers	Coil over Multimatic dampers with DSSV technology with independent bump and rebound adjustment
Front brake system	Akebono 6 piston monoblock caliper 378Ø x 36mm Iron ventilated disc
Rear brake system	Akebono 4 piston monoblock caliper 355Ø x 32mm iron ventilated disc
Steering	Electro-hydraulic PAS
Wheels	Forged Aluminium Front 12” x 18” Rear 13” x 18” MESL TPS system compatible
Cockpit electronics	Multifunction steering wheel with integrated driver display Central switch panel with systems display screen
Steering wheel	Derived from MP4-24 Formula 1 wheel retaining integrated driver display, paddle shift and switches