New can-am Mclaren mp4-12c maybach

Mclaren mp4-12c can am

Mclaren have announced the possibility a new car to be on display at pebble beach.Fingers crossed they make it and one day it can go up against the zonda r and the xx series from ferrari, now that would be a top gear worth watching. Full press release here:

Key features

• Track-only design concept weighs 1,200kg (2645.5lbs) and features unique aerodynamic package with a 30 per cent increase in downforce
• More powerful 12C with increased engine performance of up to 630hp
• Debut showing of a 12C racing concept variant designed for the North American market 

McLaren GT, the new race car manufacturing arm of the McLaren Group, is presenting a dramatic track-focused concept at the Pebble Beach Concours, the 12C Can-Am Edition. The one-off design study is finished in historic McLaren Orange and satin black.
The 12C Can-Am Edition is finished in striking shade of McLaren Orange, in tribute to cars of Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme which were extremely successful throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The bold hue is in dramatic contrast to the roof, door and bumper sections, finished in satin black, while carbon fibre also features on the side radiator vanes, wing mirrors and engine cover. The McLaren badges on the front and rear are also finished in carbon fibre. Beneath the surface, the 12C Can-Am Edition shares the same carbon fibre MonoCell chassis as the 12C road car.
Being purely a concept at this stage, and designed as the ‘ultimate track car’, the 12C Can-Am Edition is not subject to the regular racing regulations, despite being based on the 12C GT3 race car. The revised version of the familiar 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine features a unique engine calibration and optimised cooling system, which allows a power output of up to 630hp, making it the most powerful 12C derivative ever shown. The overall dry weight is just 1,200kg (2645.5lbs).
The unique aerodynamics of the 12C Can-Am Edition, as with the 12C GT3 race car, have been honed by McLaren Racing using Formula 1 technology and simulation to optimise downforce. This unique package offers an increase in downforce of 30 per cent.
The optimised aerodynamic package includes a carbon fibre front splitter, carbon fibre dive planes, and a carbon fibre wing which dominates the rear of the car. The wing is held in place by polished aluminium mounts. An imposing carbon fibre diffuser helps to further maximise the aerodynamic package, fitted beneath the two-tone rear bumper.
The extra power output of the 12C Can-Am Edition is kept in check with a braking system developed by Akebono. The highly efficient braking system sits behind a set of black satin-finished forged lightweight racing alloy wheels, shod with Pirelli racing slick tyres which complete the exterior revisions.
Inside the cockpit, the 12C Can-Am Edition is race ready as well.  Two black race seats, complete with full six-point harnesses are mounted within the cabin, while a full race-specification rollcage has also been fitted. The steering wheel is carried over from the 12C GT3, with the shape and grip derived from that of Lewis Hamilton’s MP4-24 Formula 1 car, while carbon fibre detailing also continues throughout the cabin, across the dashboard and sill panels. An integrated air conditioning system, mandatory now in a growing number of race series, is also present.














No more Maybach
In other news there will be no more maybach's produced as they shut production after 10 years.A great shame as they had some really interesting gadgets etc and the sheer size of one was something to behold.

Mclaren mp4-12c gt3 coverage from the spa 24 hours

A round up of the mclaren challenge at the spa 24 hours.















The 2012 Total 24 Hours of Spa was another challenging test of endurance and reliability for the McLaren GT customer teams competing at the headline event of the Blancpain Endurance Series over the weekend, 27-29 July. All nine examples of the 12C GT3 performed well around the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit despite harsh conditions throughout, but the incident-filled race took its toll. The punishing circuit and challenging weather saw an extremely high attrition rate throughout the field, but two 12C GT3s successfully crossed the line to claim P9 and P30.
The #88 12C GT3, run by Von Ryan Racing and driven by Alvaro Parente, Rob Barff, Roger Wills and McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver, Chris Goodwin, battled hard into an impressive 4th place in the Pro-Am class, and P9 overall. The team’s #60 blue-and-black car piloted by Julian Draper, Matt Draper, Stephen Jelley and Stef Dusseldorp crossed the line P30 after a tough 24 hours.
Each of the nine cars showed strong pace throughout the weekend’s qualifying sessions, with five 12C GT3s in the top 20 for the start of the race. The striking dragon-liveried #88 car was the top-qualifying McLaren, claiming pole position in the highly-competitive Pro-Am class, and 3rd overall.
The opening stint was headlined by the #9 Gulf Racing UK car driven by McLaren ‘works’ driver, Rob Bell. After showing good pace during the weekend’s free practice sessions, a difficult qualifying saw the car line up in P51. However, by the end of his double stint, Bell’s strong pace in the 12C GT3 had moved him up to 7th position. The Belgian Boutsen-Ginion Racing team also put in an impressive performance in front of a home crowd with two cars, and the #5 orange-and-black 12C GT3 was the front-running McLaren as the light faded, leading the Pro-Am class, and in P5 overall.
The 4.352-mile (7.004 km) Spa-Francorchamps circuit, notorious for its own micro-climate, saw extreme changes in weather throughout the 24 hours. The opening laps took place in the dry, but conditions quickly changed, and a heavy downpour over part of the circuit during the first scheduled pit window resulted in some teams requiring an additional stop for wet tyres. Further rain showers throughout the remainder of the race ensured the teams and drivers were challenged until the end of the race.
During the 24 hours, the harsh conditions saw more than half the grid forced to retire. As darkness fell, a bold call to change to slick tyres by the Gulf Racing and Von Ryan Racing teams proved successful as the track dried, and gained both teams an advantage over the rest of the field. However, the track’s slippery conditions off the dry line were unforgiving and caused both Gulf Racing cars to retire after leaving the track.
The Lapidus Racing team showed good race pace after qualifying P12 on the grid, but an early collision saw the team lose time. The team worked hard to get the 12C GT3 back on track, and were making progress before coming together with the fast-charging #5 Boutsen-Ginion Racing car, bringing a premature end to the race for both teams. The ART Grand Prix and ASM teams also ran well in the opening 12 hours of the race posting competitive lap times, but the demanding circuit and treacherous conditions saw both teams forced to retire.
Chris Goodwin, McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver, and driver of the #88 Von Ryan Racing 12C GT3, explained: “The Spa 24 hour race is unlike any other race on the GT calendar; it is a real event from the minute the teams arrive here, and it was fantastic to see the nine 12C GT3s in the parade through the town’s streets before the race. Then, to see them on track, and having five qualify in the top 20, is a real testament to the performance of the teams, and the developments that have been made throughout this season. This is the ultimate test of endurance and reliability for the cars, the drivers and the teams.”
Goodwin continued: “Doing anything non-stop for 24 hours is difficult, but putting in consistently competitive laps, around one of the most demanding circuits in such changeable conditions, is extremely tough. The fact that more than 30 cars were forced to retire from this event shows just how demanding a race it is. To have two cars finish, one in the top 10, in this, the debut competitive year for the 12C GT3, is a big result.”

 

Audi wins the spa 24 hours

The phoenix Audi has emerged victorious in a 1-2 for the Audi r8's.

The race saw long periods behind the safety car (5hours plus) and some very heavy rain at times making for some pretty tricky conditions.

The phoenix Audi came from 28th on the grid whilst the pole sitting Bmw z4 gt3 came home in third place.

The pro am class was won by the af corse Ferrari 458gt3 who came home in fifth place.

Nine mclaren 12c gt3's to compete in the spa 24 hours

Press release from mclaren before this weekend's spa 24 hours.

Live updates available at the interactive McLaren GT Pitwall http://media.mclarenautomotive.com/pitwall

Nine examples of the stunning McLaren 12C GT3 will line up on the grid of the famous Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps next weekend, 27-29 July to contest the Total 24 Hours of Spa. The gruelling 24-hour race is the headline event in the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series, and one of the most demanding events on the motorsport calendar.
With the 12C GT3 still in its competitive debut season, McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin is pleased with the progress made by the McLaren GT customer teams in 2012.
Goodwin said: “With wins recorded in FIA GT1 World by Hexis Racing and, more recently, by ART GP in the French GT series, it is very satisfying to see that the potential of the 12C GT3 is beginning to be realised at this early stage of its life. Spa 24-hour is unlike any other GT race. It is a spectacular, but incredibly challenging, circuit and efficiency and reliability will be vital to all competitors as well as being able to react to the often changeable track conditions.

“All teams racing a 12C GT3 feature top drivers in their line-ups and, with more than 60 cars on the grid, so too do our competitors. McLaren has put in a big effort to test and prepare for this great event and we hope the 12C GT3 will be very competitive in the hands of our customers.

“McLaren has strong links to the famous Belgian circuit. It was here that Bruce McLaren scored the first Formula 1 victory for the team and, during last year’s British GT round, it was where the 12C GT3 secured a maiden pole position.”
The event, Round Four of the Series, will see the 12C GT3s on track wearing the distinctive liveries of six McLaren GT customer teams.  Chris Goodwin will be part of the driver line-up in one of Von Ryan Racing’s two 12C GT3s.  The French-based ART Grand Prix team, fresh from victory with the 12C GT3 in last weekend’s FFSA French GT round at Magny-Cours, will line up alongside Portuguese team ASM, with patriotic livery featuring green and red accents, and the Lapidus Racing car finished in white and McLaren Orange.  Belgium’s Boutsen-Ginion Racing team head to headline event of the Blancpain calendar, and their home event, running two cars both 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.
Ahead of the race, a high-quality short film has been produced in which McLaren GT ‘works’ driver Rob Bell previews the challenging 4.35 mile (7.004km) Spa-Francorchamps circuit, highlighting the challenges facing the teams and what it is that makes the 24 hours of Spa so appealing.  This preview film can be viewed or embedded at the official McLaren Automotive YouTube channel: http://youtu.be/WyT9gyscshQ.
Total 24 Hours of Spa gets underway at 16.00 (CEST) on Saturday, 28 July and will see more than 60 cars line up on the grid. Follow the action live, and track the progress of the 12C GT3s through the McLaren GT Pitwall (http://media.mclarenautomotive.com/pitwall) or @McLaren_GT on Twitter.