McLAREN 650S GT3 TO SPORT TRIBUTE LIVERY AT 2016 TOTAL 24 HOURS OF SPA

July 26, 2016 by McLaren

Ahead of the 2016 Total 24 Hours of Spa, it has been confirmed that one of the three examples of the McLaren 650S GT3 being run by customer team Garage 59 will wear a unique livery based on the original logo which adorned the early racers of the Bruce McLaren Motor Racing team. The logo featured on McLaren cars between 1962 and 1966.

The distinctive red, white and green design celebrates the 50th anniversary of the last competitive outing for the original Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Team emblem, with team founder Bruce McLaren at the wheel. Designed by British illustrator Michael Turner, it was the first to feature the famous 'Speedy Kiwi'. The modern interpretation will run on the #60 650S GT3, which makes a one-off appearance at the twice-around-the-clock race with driving responsibilities shared between McLaren P1™ GTR Driver Mentor Bruno Senna alongside fellow Brazilian Luis Felipe 'Pipo' Derani and Brit Duncan Tappy.

About McLaren Automotive:

McLaren Automotive is a British manufacturer of luxury, high-performance sports cars, located at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, Surrey.

Following the global launch of McLaren Automotive in 2010, the groundbreaking 12C was launched in 2011, the 12C Spider in 2012, and the limited-run McLaren P1™ went into production in 2013. In keeping with its plan to introduce a new model each year, the company unveiled the 650S, in coupe and Spider form in 2014, and has announced the Sports Series among the models to be introduced in 2015. The brand continues to expand, and McLaren posted a profit during 2013 – only the third year of vehicle production. This was followed in 2014, by a third consecutive year of growth in sales with a record 1,649 vehicles delivered via a dedicated global network of retailers in every major automotive market.

McLaren Automotive Partners

To support the development, engineering and manufacture of its range of innovative and highly acclaimed sports cars, McLaren Automotive has partnered with world leading companies to provide specialist expertise and technology including, AkzoNobel, ExxonMobil, Pirelli and SAP.

Designed for the track; Developed for the road

The connection between Formula 1 and road cars at McLaren is a natural process of experience, knowledge, principles and process transfer. Through the integration of 50 years of Formula 1™ racing expertise and knowledge, and over 20 years of heritage in producing landmark sports cars, McLaren Automotive designs, develops and builds a range of technologically advanced and groundbreaking high performance sports cars which are designed to be a no compromise drive on both road and track.

McLaren has pioneered the use of carbon fibre in vehicle production over the past 30 years, and since introducing a carbon chassis into racing and road cars with the 1981 McLaren MP4/1 and 1993 McLaren F1 respectively, McLaren has not built a car without a carbon fibre chassis.

Throughout its use, the badge featured on the 1965 McLaren M2A single seater prototype and a number of Group 7 sportscars. The most famous of the cars which ran the 'Speedy Kiwi' was the McLaren M1A ­– the first true McLaren race car – which scored the first podium for the team on its debut at the ultra-fast Canadian circuit Mosport in September 1964.

The #60 McLaren 650S GT3 forms part of a three PRO car assault by customer team Garage 59, which goes in to the race leading both the Blancpain Endurance Team Championship and the Driver Championship with Factory Driver Rob Bell. The #58 and #59 cars retain the regular Blancpain GT Series colour scheme.