The McLaren F1 Owner's Club

[Peloton25]

I have hinted at some pretty big news in the world of the McLaren F1 that I learned of during the Pebble Beach weekend and I've finally been given the go-ahead to announce it here on our forum. It's been eating at me to keep this a secret for so long, so this is quite a relief! It's also an honor to be invited to share.


Ray Bellm and his daughter, with direct support from McLaren Automotive, have chosen to create an official club for the McLaren F1 owners. The goal is to organize events to bring the cars together and celebrate the great history of the McLaren F1 at various milestone dates as time goes on. Their first event is planned for next year to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the F1s unveiling in Monaco in 1992. There will be another event scheduled for 2015 to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the 1995 Le Mans victory. Then again in 2017 a 25th Anniversary event, and so on.

This is easily the most thrilling news I've heard in the world of the McLaren F1 for quite a long time. We're all aware that the factory had organized an owner's event, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the start of the F1's development, last year at the MTC and that was pretty cool. The goal of the events that Ray will organize are set to gather as many of the F1s together as possible for somewhat more public outings, including drives through some of the most amazing roads and picturesque locations in all the world.

The club has a website too, but please keep in mind that registration is strictly limited specifically to McLaren F1 owners only. The expectation is that there will be a lot of private information shared with and among owners that for security purposes they don't wish for just anyone to have access to. I actually registered more than a week ago when someone at McLaren emailed me the link, and although I entered 'n/a' in the chassis number field I was still given access. This was short lived as Ray emailed me later to apologize - telling me that my registration had been approved by mistake and explaining the need to keep it very secure. Quite understandable of course, and I don't feel slighted. Frankly I'd been shocked to receive the approval so I really wasn't surprised.

Here's the link to give you a peek - quite tempting, I know.

McLaren F1 Owner's Club

Ray had joined our forum here under the screen name 'bprchamp' making one post back in early 2010. He's now offered to return to the forum as his time allows and share more information about the future plans for the F1 Owner's Club and also answer some of our questions and maybe share some stories from his experiences with the F1.

For those who aren't keenly aware, Ray is one of the two people we have to thank for the creation of the McLaren F1 GTR. Without the pressure from him and Dr Thomas Bscher it is quite possible that the McLaren F1 would have never gone racing, and all the additional history that was created from that effort and many of the reasons that cause people to so highly regard the F1 today never would have occurred. In my mind - no Ray Bellm = no F1 LM - if you want to put it in very simple terms.

I ask that you please join me in welcoming Ray back to the forum. Be respectful of his time and the attention he gives us as he's still very busy with other things and this is a real treat to get that kind of commitment from him.

>8^)
ER

[cabrio92]

Hello Erik !!!! Fantastic ! What an announcement ! I can't believe it !

I almost cry to be honest.

The 20th anniversary will be great. You saw my email ? I wanted say some ideas to McLaren and I can also say that to Ray Bellm.

Welcome again mister Ray Bellm and congratulations for this idea who puts F1 closer of the 250 GTO.

Phil

[Peloton25]

Originally Posted by cabrio92

Hello Erik !!!! Fantastic ! What an announcement ! I can't believe it !

I almost cry to be honest.

Now you know what I've been going through. It has nearly killed me not to tell you guys!

Agreed on the 250 GTO connection - just imagine this gathering pictured below, but replace all the cars with McLaren F1s!!


Photo Credit: Keith Bluemel

This Owner's Club is exactly what the F1 has needed for quite some time.

>8^)
ER

[hurstg01]

That's great news. Ray's inciteful knowledge and history with the F1 can only enhance both this sites member-base and all our knowledge and enthusiasm for the F1



Having met Ray very briefly at last years Chelsea Legends Show, he is a real gent and, according to Le Man, I captured his personality quite well in my pic in this post

[carbuilder2002]

To be honest I am amazed it has taten this long for an owners club to be set up as almost every other vehicle has an owners/drivers club of some description.
I spent many happy years as members of various owners clubs and it was certainly odd that this most special car never got one off the ground until now.

[mini magic]

Whoa! Incredible news!

[F1GTRUeno]

Literally couldn't be any bigger or better for us F1 fanatics.

If they ever make the events public in anyway I think this may be the chance I need to see an F1 (or several).

Failing that I love seeing photos of the same car together, the 25 from the factory gathering was amazing, cannot wait to see what they come up with.

Cheers Erik for sharing and Cheers Ray for this and your racing endeavours, massively appreciated.

[volvoman]

That is great news i have always wondered if Mc had a secret club for the owners how about us Mac lovers try to get an invite to an event

I believe Ray is local to me

[bprchamp]

I have been thinking of such a Club for a few years providing events for F1 owners to meet in nice places and use their cars in a non competitive environment. Chassis 005R will be there as last winter i bought it with some mates as it was resting in a vineyard in poor condition in the South of France. it is currently in a 1000 pieces being completely refurbed. To remind all it is the Cesar art car originally owned by Jean Maury Laribiere.
I look at the list of cars on your various ownership lists and there are quite a few out of date. you need to work harder. 012R is in the Uk for instance.
The owners Club website is for owners only I am afraid, as the owners like to be discreet. The first event will be in Europe but i want to run one in the USA as well. The first event will have 20 cars to reflect the first 20 years. All the best

[Peloton25]

Glad to have your contribution here Ray.

Will you be keeping the Cesar Baldaccini inspired livery on #05R or do you have other plans for it?

Is the Anniversary event next year capped at 20 cars or is there space for more if you have enough interest?

You are correct - that some of the info in the first post of our Recap threads is rather out of date. I've heard even McLaren has to struggle to keep up with the movement of cars sometimes and I'm sure almost no one is keeping any secrets from them. We will definitely try harder!

>8^)
ER

[hurstg01]

Glad to have you back on here and thanks for the info

We knew #12R was in the UK - if it hasn't been updated then boy we do need to get our finger out!

At the beginning of this year I learnt #05R was sold after the auction where it didn't sell last year but it's news to me that you and some mates bought it - will you be keeping it in its Cesar livery or do you have ideas on another livery

Once again, glad to have you back on here and here's hoping you keep coming back for more

ETA Damn I've gotta type faster

[Sami Aaltonen]

A quick comment on this; no time for else:

ERIK: Thanks for let us know this!
This is superb news, if this all will be happen; I defenitely have some questions to Mr.Bellm, if he really can take more part of this F1's discussions.!

And that celebrations of 20th Anniversary of the 1995 Le Mans victory, hmmm this is very.....interesting.

[cabrio92]

How to say ? Bravo !

It's a marvellous idea mister Bellm and if we can help, please let us know. I have also some ideas to say you for future events.

Phil

[Sami Aaltonen]

Mr. Bellm:

Is there any change to ask you some questions about 1996 season in BPR GT Championship?
And of course Your comments on the car are very interesting to hear. There isn't many who had had a change to spend so many hours behing GTR streering wheel.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has some questions...

It's really amazing to get Your knowledge to this Forum. Many thanks for that!

[PatrickT82]

This is fantastic news!

As a huge F1 fan (as you may all know) I would drive to anywhere in Europe if I may attend the 'meeting' next year.

It would be HEAVEN for me and the best day out of my life