Key dates of the F1

Hello all,
I have been thinking it could be good to gather in one place the milestones of the McLaren F1.
I was hoping you could help me fill in the blanks and propose other key dates.

Road version / GTR

. 1988, Sep. 12th - Inception of the F1, the infamous discussion of G.Murray and R.Dennis
. 1989, Mar. 17th - McLaren Cars' first press release stating their intention to design and build "a unique super performance road car"
. 1990, Feb. 23rd - "F1" set as official name
. 1990, Mar. 8th - Original 10-hour meeting
. 1990, Spring - Purchase of "Albert" Ultima kit
. 1990, end of Jul. - Impromptu meeting of G.Murray and P.Rosche on the potential for BMW to build the engine for the McLaren F1 (Hockenheim, Germany)
. 1991, Dec. - First test-rig run of the BMW S70/2 engine (Munich, Germany)
. 1992, Mar. 4th - Delivery of the first S70 V12 engine from BMW
. 1992, May 28th - Official launch (Monaco)
. 1992, Dec. 23rd - First prototype out of the factory (#XP1)
. 1993, Mar. 24th - XP1 crashed and destroyed during hot weather testing in the Namibian desert (#XP1)
. 1993, Nov. 22nd - Crash test date (#XP2)
. 1993, Dec. 23rd - First F1 out of the factory (#002)
. 1994 - Some certain F1 owners expressed their interest in a racing version of the car
. 1994 - Ray Bellm and Michael Cane formed GTC Motorsport to pursue their common objective of running a Mclaren F1 GTR in GT motor racing
. 1994, Nov. 28th - Gulf Oil announced it was to sponsor a Mclaren F1 GTR in the following years Le Mans and in the BPR series throughout the same year
. 1995, Jan. 13th - Launch of the '95 GTR (#01R)
. 1995, Feb. 25th - First race of the GTR
. 1995, Feb. 25th - First win of GTR '95 (Jerez, Spain) (winner #02R)
. 1995, Jun. 18th - Le Mans 24hrs (winner #01R)
. 1995, Dec. 7th - LM launch party
. 1995, Dec. 15th - First GTR '96 out of the factory (testing of #10R)
. 1996, Mar. 3rd - First win of GTR '96 (Paul Ricard, France) (#12R)
. 1996, Sep. 18th - Destruction of "Albert" chassis
. 1996, Sep. 25th - Destruction of "Edward" chassis
. 1996, Nov. 18th - First GTR '97 out of the factory (#19R)
. 1997, Apr. 6th - First win of GTR '97 (Silverstone, Great Britain -British Racing Driver's Club GT Championship) (#27R)
. 1997, Apr. 22nd - Last GTR produced (#28R)
. 1998, Mar. 31st - World speed record (A.Wallace at the wheel) (#XP5)
. 1998, May 25th - Last F1 produced (#075)
. 1998, Jul. 12th - Last race of Short tail GTR (Dijon, France) (#05R)
. 1999, Feb. 7th - Tiff Needell sets the fastest lap record of a British circuit averaging 195.3mph round the 2-mile banked circuit at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. (#XP5)
. 2001, Nov. 11th - Last win of GTR (Mine circuit) (#19R)
. 2005, Sep. 25th - Last race of GTR (Fuji Circuit, Japan) (#25R)
. 2005, Sep. 25th - Last race of Long tail GTR (Fuji Circuit, Japan) (#25R)
. 2010, Apr. 27th - Gathering with 21 cars (MTC, UK) (061, 059, 020, 050, 040, 003, 001, 006, 075, 56XPGT, XP1 LM, XP5, 01R, 04R, 07R, 10R, 14R, 13R, 16R, 12R and finally 20R)

. 1998 - Less expensive public sale MF 3,800,000 (#007)
. 2008, Oct. 29th - Most expensive public sale £2,530,000 (#065)

Hello all,
I was thinking it could be good to gather in one place the milestones of the McLaren F1. What do you think?

Great idea. :)

I've borrowed a couple from an earlier post (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=6395373&postcount=8) of mine and added them in blue to your list below. There might be other dates of importance that could be included as well. If you want, you can continue to edit that first post as time goes on to keep all the details together at the top. :cool:

. Inception of the F1, the infamous discussion of G.Murray and R.Dennis. - September 12th, 1988
. First prototype out of the factory - December 23rd, 1992
. Official launch (in Monaco, right?) Yes - May 28th, 1992
. First F1 out of the factory - December 23rd, 1993 (#002)
. Launch of the '95 GTR - January 1995 (actual date needed)
. First race of the GTR (Jerez 1995 I think, with pole position and victory) Yes - February 25th, 1995 (#02R)
. 1995 Le Mans 24hrs - June 18th, 1995
. Last GTR produced - April 22nd, 1997
. Last F1 produced - May 25th, 1998
. World speed record (with A.Wallace in 1998 I think) - March 31st, 1998

What other important dates are we missing?

>8^)
ER

Thank you Peloton, that is what I meant to do too.
Excellent idea to add the car number.
Let's make it a comprehensive list of key dates.

Very cool ;)

Except dates from the conception, it is nearly complete, maybe we can add LM GT launch dates.

9th January 1995 was the launch date of the GTR - it says so in one of my press packs :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/hurstg01/AF/5-1.jpg

Cool - I wonder if the Launch Party was held that same day?

Speaking of...

LM Launch Party (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=651064) - December 7th, 1995.

>8^)
ER

How about when first 1996 GTR was completed and when the first 1997 GTR was completed? As well as the dates of their first pole position and Win......:smokin:

I think the date for 01R and 10R's completion are in DA somewhere, don't know about 19R. If not I have them elsewhere.

>8^)
ER

#19R - completed 18th November 1996

Thank you all for your contribution and suggestions.
From now on, I edit the first post in bold to show the updates.
Thanks to doublecheck!

#10R was ready for testing on December 12th 1995

Last race of GTR

Not counting any of the historic stuff like the GT90's series, Modena Trackdays and the like, the last official race a McLaren F1 GTR competed in was held September 25th, 2005 at Fuji Circuit in Japan. GTR #25R competed in the GT500 class in the Super GT series (formerly AJGTC) placing 18th overall/17th in class with driver's Mikio Hitotsuyama & Eiichi Tajima.

You don't have to include all that detail in your list but I figured I'd offer it here since I had it handy. Here's a very special photo from that day as well, with a rainbow hanging just above the car in the center of the image. :cool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20D/th_b210de75.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20D/b210de75.jpg) <-- Click

>8^)
ER

#19R - completed 18th November 1996

This jives with the list I have.

#10R was ready for testing on December 12th 1995

This date, however, is shown as December 15th, 1995.

On the same list, #01R's date is January 13th, 1995 which is a couple of days after the date on that Press Release.

>8^)
ER

This date, however, is shown as December 15th, 1995.

On the same list, #01R's date is January 13th, 1995 which is a couple of days after the date on that Press Release.


Thanks again for your inputs.
In that case, what do you propose we retain as the date?

A few more blanks to fill in...


. First win of GTR 96 - #12R @ Paul Ricard on March 3rd 1996

. First win of GTR 97 #27R @ Silverstone (BRDC GTC) on April 6th, 1997. The Hockenheim FIA GT race you noted was a week later on the 13th of April.

. Last win of GTR - #24R @ Silverstone (BRDC GTC) on March 28th, 1999 (unless someone has something older?)


>8^)
ER

I've borrowed a couple from an earlier post (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=6395373&postcount=8) of mine and added them in blue to your list below. There might be other dates of importance that could be included as well. If you want, you can continue to edit that first post as time goes on to keep all the details together at the top. :cool:


Erik, I have read your previous post, and I believe it is worth it to write down the other dates mentioned in your thread. I have updated the first post accordingly.

In that case, what do you propose we retain as the date?

Pretty sure the dates Greg has offered come from the pages of "Driving Ambition". Mine are coming from a slightly more official piece of documentation which notes them as "Build Dates" so I'd suggest using them instead. Either is fine though. :)

>8^)
ER

. Last win of GTR - #24R @ Silverstone (BRDC GTC) on March 28th, 1999 (unless someone has something older?)


Oops - there is a mistake in the above information. :redface:

I forgot about GTR #19R's single win in the Japan GT series which came at the Mine Circuit on November 11th, 2001. That should be the last victory in competition, not factoring in any of the historic stuff I already discounted.

>8^)
ER

I just updated quite a few dates.
Now it seems to bring confusion to have both the date out of the factory and the launch date (of the GTRs), is not it?

Also, I am thinking to sort the events by date, and put the date first, rather than the event.

Please let me have your opinion on these two points.

I like the sort by date idea - like a timeline. :thumbsup:

As I've often told other people (like Greg for his video thread) it's your thread so do it how you like. :)

I can tell you that I'm already planning to add this one to the 'Best of the Best' sticky at the top of the forum as this will be a great reference piece for the future. I just need to finish up an icon for it. :cool:

>8^)
ER

I like the sort by date idea - like a timeline. :thumbsup:

As I've often told other people (like Greg for his video thread) it's your thread so do it how you like. :)

I can tell you that I'm already planning to add this one to the 'Best of the Best' sticky at the top of the forum as this will be a great reference piece for the future. I just need to finish up an icon for it. :cool:

>8^)
ER
Sounds great.
I am glad you like it. :smile:

This isn't correct, I think?
". First win of GTR 97 #27R @ Silverstone (BRDC GTC) on April 6th, 1997. The Hockenheim FIA GT race you noted was a week later on the 13th of April."


1997 first win was in Hockenheim April 13th. Chassis was #21R and drivers Lehto/Soper. Also it was the very first race of the season.

Silverstone second race of the season May 11th; again win: GTR was Koz/Ravaglia #23R
:smile:

This isn't correct, I think?
". First win of GTR 97 #27R @ Silverstone (BRDC GTC) on April 6th, 1997. The Hockenheim FIA GT race you noted was a week later on the 13th of April."

1997 first win was in Hockenheim April 13th. Chassis was #21R and drivers Lehto/Soper. Also it was the very first race of the season.

Silverstone second race of the season May 11th; again win: GTR was Koz/Ravaglia #23R
:smile:

Sami - my info is correct. The Silverstone race I am talking about was not the FIA GT race on May 11th. It was the British Racing Driver's Club GT Championship race held April 6th, 1997. DocGTR shared this image with us earlier that documents the victory:

http://thumbnails45.imagebam.com/13921/34a375139201357.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/34a375139201357)

>8^)
ER

This isn't correct, I think?
". First win of GTR 97 #27R @ Silverstone (BRDC GTC) on April 6th, 1997. The Hockenheim FIA GT race you noted was a week later on the 13th of April."


1997 first win was in Hockenheim April 13th. Chassis was #21R and drivers Lehto/Soper. Also it was the very first race of the season.

Silverstone second race of the season May 11th; again win: GTR was Koz/Ravaglia #23R
:smile:

I was about to agree with Sami before getting Erik's clarification.
In that case, I will specify on the main post to avoid confusion.

Sami - my info is correct. The Silverstone race I am talking about was not the FIA GT race on May 11th. It was the British Racing Driver's Club GT Championship race held April 6th, 1997. DocGTR shared this image with us earlier that documents the victory:

http://thumbnails45.imagebam.com/13921/34a375139201357.jpg (http://www.imagebam.com/image/34a375139201357)

>8^)
ER

OK. Again some new things came up... Damn.:1zhelp:

A few extra details you were seeking. :)

. Dec. 23rd, 1992 - First prototype out of the factory (#XP1)

. Apr. 22nd, 1997 - Last GTR produced (#28R)

. May 25th, 1998 - Last F1 produced (#075)


>8^)
ER

Maybe the date of the most expensive sale so far?

This date, however, is shown as December 15th, 1995.


It was DA that stated the 12th

Pretty sure the dates Greg has offered come from the pages of "Driving Ambition". Mine are coming from a slightly more official piece of documentation which notes them as "Build Dates" so I'd suggest using them instead. Either is fine though. :)

>8^)
ER

^^ See ;)

Would you care to share that peice of documentation? :)

If I could it would already be here. :redface: :(

Maybe someone else will see your request and share.

>8^)
ER

If I could it would already be here. :redface: :(

Maybe someone else will see your request and share.

>8^)
ER

Would that be the same? as sharing something, that someone else gets the credit for :naughty:

Erik, you have my permission to share with Greg in private, if its my docuement you are refering too. As I do not have access to my folders at present :uhoh:

Indeed it is and I will. Cheers! :)

>8^)
ER

:runaround:

:cool:

:cheers:

:runaround:

:cool:

:cheers:

Enjoy,

Is that another pint you owe me :smile:

Great idea for a thread BTW

I think I owe you enough now for you to get drunk :)

I think I owe you enough now for you to get drunk :)

Several times over :cwm27:

Maybe the date of the most expensive sale so far?

for me not a key date but an idea for a "F1 in numbers" thread...

The most expensive public sale of a McLaren F1 was RM's London auction with the sale of chassis #065 at a price of £2,530,000. It was held on Wednesday, October 29, 2008.

Other private sales may have exceeded that figure.

>8^)
ER

I have included the sale date in the first post, so that we can easily find it.
I also added two new proposals:
. Crash test date (#xxx)
. Any date related to "Albert" and "Edward"?

I also added two new proposals:
. Crash test date (#XP2) - November 22nd, 1993
. Any date related to "Albert" and "Edward"? see below

"Driving Ambition" mentions '...early Spring, 1990' for the purchase of Albert's Ultima Kit - probably was another couple of months for build efforts to complete.

In the same chapter on the "Heavenly Twins", as Albert & Edward are referred to in the book, they note delivery of the first S70 V12 engine from BMW occurred on March 4th, 1992 and "...a second Ultima-based hack was standing there - ready and waiting. He would be christened 'Edward'."

The Certificate of Destruction for both Ultima chassis are shown in DA as well - Albert got crushed on September 18th, 1996 and Edward was a week later on September 25th, 1996.

Small quiz here - anyone know where the date came from for the barrier test of XP2 at MIRA? Please be very specific with your answer, and post the proof if you have it. ;)

>8^)
ER

Post updated.

Now I am reading this:
. May 28th, 1992 - Official launch (Monaco)
. Dec. 23rd, 1992 - First prototype out of the factory (#XP1)

Does it make sense that the first prototype was out of the factory after the official launch?
What about Clinic model?

Thanks for your insight.

The Clinic Model was a non-running mockup of the F1 - not a real car, it did not have a real chassis, and it never could be driven. It wasn't even built by McLaren, but rather a prototyping company in Coventry called M.G.A Developments. It was quite a lot like the models I have here on my shelf, except instead of being 1:18 scale it was 1:1 scale.

XP1 on the other hand was very nearly a completed car - there were some details that would be altered an finalized over the following year. With some minimal exceptions, it had the proper chassis, proper drivetrain, proper suspension setup and that made it the first real McLaren F1. Each additional XP would advance things on a little bit further in the development process until they settled on moving forward with production.

>8^)
ER

Just came up;

- The last race shortail GTR?
- The last race Longtail GTR?

:smokin:

Just came up;

- The last race shortail GTR? #05R @ Dijon (FIA GT) - July 12th, 1998

- The last race Longtail GTR? Already covered ;)

:smokin:

What else? :)

>8^)
ER

What else? :)

>8^)
ER

Thanks.! Nothing this time, just thought was that #18R's Brazillia's race the last one shortail race, but it didn't.:cool:
Now things starts to be quite right; added on to my EXEL table these dates and updated the Curitiba/Brazil race results also there.
This thread is superb.!

Looking at the dates, I am surprised to see that nothing happened in 1994?

Does someone have anything related to the GTR inception, like the request from privateers to have McLaren develop a race version of the F1?

The one place that should be documented is "Driving Ambition" and the text in that section remains pretty vague on details like that. I wonder if bprchamp might catch this post and have a recollection of when the real discussions first started. Like you, I would imagine it was early in 1994.

>8^)
ER

Delivery of the first production Mclaren F1 was in early January 1994

It was in 1994 that some certain F1 owners ;) expressed their interest in a racing version of the car.

Also in 1994 Ray Bellm and Michael Cane formed GTC Motorsport to pursue their common objective of running a Mclaren F1 GTR in GT motor racing.

28th November 1994 - Gulf Oil announced it was to sponsor a Mclaren F1 GTR in the following years Le Mans and in the BPR series throughout the same year.

Unless you see something else to add to the list (XPLM, XPGT, crash test date?), I think we have covered the main dates related to the F1 life.

Thanks again for your contribution.
I will remove the bold parts and proposals to make it looks nice and anyway I can still update the thread if ever we come up with something else.
FT

Hello,

very nice MCF1. I propose to make GTr dates in other colors.

what about 1998 Paris cheapest public sale 3,8MF (#007)

An unfortunate date to remember:

March 24th, 1993 - XP1 crashed and destroyed during hot weather testing in the Namibian desert

>8^)
ER

Updated!
What about the MIRA crash test date?

I noticed that date didn't make it in the first post yet, but figured you may have overlooked when I shared it in a previous post, along with a trivia question.

. Crash test date (#XP2) - November 22nd, 1993

Small quiz here - anyone know where the date came from for the barrier test of XP2 at MIRA? Please be very specific with your answer, and post the proof if you have it. ;)

No one answered the question yet, so here's the source of the answer found on page 159 of "Driving Ambition". A hand written note and sketch from Gordon Murray. :cool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20L/XP2_MIRA.jpg

:cool:

>8^)
ER

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20L/03big.jpg

February 7th 1999 - Tiff Needell sets the fastest lap record of a British circuit averaging 195.3mph round the 2-mile banked circuit at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/jpg/200702/1993-mclaren-f1-27w.jpg

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/jpg/200702/1993-mclaren-f1-28w.jpg

>8^)
ER

Thanks McF1 ;)

An unfortunate date to remember:

March 24th, 1993 - XP1 crashed and destroyed during hot weather testing in the Namibian desert

>8^)
ER

What about detailed story behind this crash? Does anybody know?

"Driving Ambition" mentions that the driver, Roman Scherer, took his eyes off the road to check some of the monitoring equipment mounted inside the car at roughly 170 mph. As he did this he struck a curb causing the car to flip over several times and spread debris across the desert floor. When things stopped moving the car was upside down. He was able to scramble out through the windscreen to safety. The car became a total loss when oil dripped onto one of the hot exhaust manifolds and caught fire.

>8^)
ER

Thahk you Erik

I just updated the crash test date and Tiff Needel's record lap.
What was the car used for this? (#xxx)
Thanks!

'K8 MCL' registration plate is a sure identifier of XP5. :)

>8^)
ER

Updated.
Well, it looked like the one used by Andy Wallace to set the maximum speed, now I understand why ;)