Fifer to debut McLaren in Spainposted in MSPOR05 | 05 | 2011
ST ANDREWS RACER Andrew Kirkaldy will give the stunning new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 its race debut at Navarra in Spain later this month. The Fifer, partnered by fellow Autosport McLaren Young Driver of the Year winner Oliver Turvey, and Alvaro Parente, will compete in the second round of the Blancpain Endurance Series, for which GT3 and GT4-spec machinery is eligible.
Kirkaldy is team principal of CRS Racing which first helped develop the road car, the MP4-12C, in partnership with the McLaren Group which also includes the F1 McLaren Racing team.
Following its Spanish shakedown session, Kirkaldy who is also McLaren GT Project Manager, said: “The performance of the car in Navarra was testament to the work we were able to do in the McLaren simulator in selecting the right set-up for the car. The virtual and real world versions of the 12C GT3 felt near-identical.
“The new aerodynamic body panels and features designed for the 12C GT3 are of outstanding quality and markedly increase the dynamic performance of the car. This level of quality can only be achieved using FE design analysis and knowing how best to apply carbon fibre. McLaren has this knowledge in abundance.
“CRS Racing is delighted to be working with McLaren," Kirkaldy continued. "The expectations are high and rightly so. Together we share the passion for design, engineering innovation and racing success that will ensure the 12C GT3 is the most competitive in the series from 2012.
“When McLaren Group CEO Martin Whitmarsh first approached CRS Racing I was delighted that his main objective for McLaren GT was to make the needs of customers and drivers an absolute priority.
"That message transcends everything we are now undertaking. The development programme will be rigorous to ensure reliability, the technical specification of the 12C GT3 will surpass rival cars due to the links we have with Formula 1 technology suppliers, build quality will reflect the high standards introduced in the 12C road car, and the maximum performance will be accessible to drivers of varied experience levels.
“Before McLaren GT, CRS was a customer of race car manufacturers. On occasion, it became accepted that GT cars are unreliable straight out of the box because manufacturers deliver cars before the technology is proven for racing.
"At McLaren GT we know expectations are higher. We want our customers to experience outstanding performance with metronomic reliability.
“Our combined experience means we can identify problems encountered previously by race teams or drivers and address them. In the cockpit of the 12C GT3 for example, we have ensured that the pedal position is exactly in line with the seating and steering wheel positions. The driving position in many GT3 cars is compromised by comparison.
“I believe the MP4-12C is an engineering masterpiece and that starts with its carbon chassis. A rigid chassis is hugely important to a racing driver. The McLaren MonoCell is unequalled as a safety cell, and our engineers can be sure that any changes made to the chassis set-up will have the desired effect because of its structural rigidity and predictability.
“The 12C is the first road car I have driven on a track and been truly overwhelmed by its dynamic performance. We have had to engineer certain aspects of our GT3 car to race specification, but I can’t think of a better place to start than the new 12C.” Whitmarsh too admitted it was a natural step to take the MP4-12C on to the track.
"McLaren has racing in its blood," Whitmarsh said, "and it was a natural step to take our MP4-12C road car and turn it into the most reliable, efficient and easy to drive GT3 car.
"We have worked with CRS Racing to ensure the 12C's design and development programme is as close as possible to one McLaren Racing would employ in developing a Formula 1 car.
"The team at CRS is well qualified to shape decisions in this area as they have an outstanding record in racing GT3 cars, and understand what is required to be successful in that level of competitive motorsport.
"In return, McLaren Racing is able to bring new levels of technology to GT3 racing. No other GT3 car in 2012 will be supplied with a road-car carbon chassis, or a steering wheel and other associated technology from a Formula 1 car."
After Navarra, CRS will enter the Blancpain races at Magny-Cours and Silverstone, and could also take part in the series' showpiece event, the Spa 24 Hours.
McLaren's aim is to use this year for developing the MP4-12C and then to make 20 examples of the car available to customers for 2012.
McLaren fans eager to see McLaren’s first GT racing car since the legendary McLaren F1 GTR can expect to see the new 12C GT3 driven up the famous Hill at Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 1-3.
CLICK HERE to see more images of the McLaren MP4-12C GT3
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Jim McGill