MP4-12C GT3 Prepares for Dynamic World Debut

[AF News Desk]

This just in from the folks over at McLaren (via newspress.co.uk):

Originally Posted by McLaren Automotive - 6/30/11

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.

A brand new website is launched this weekend to celebrate the GT3 car’s public debut: www.mclarengt.com

Also for your viewing pleasure is a full list of the GT3 Specs:

Originally Posted by McLaren Automotive

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

So, who's excited to see this beauty in action?