McLaren MP4-12C GT3
#004
EX-VON RYAN RACING. DRIVEN BY STEPHEN JELLEY, JULIEN DRAPER & MATT DRAPER
RACED IN 2012 BLANCPAIN ENDURANCE SERIES PRO-AM CUP
PRESERVED IN ORIGINAL CONDITION FOLLOWING ITS SINGLE SEASON
INCLUDES A SUPERB SPARES PACKAGE
Based on the groundbreaking McLaren MP4-12C road car, the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 married Formula 1 and innovative road-car technology to create a state-of-the-art racing sports car. The MP4-12C GT3 utilizes the same carbon fibre chassis as the road car, along with its 3.8-litre McLaren twin-turbo M838T V8 engine with TAG-400 Engine Control Unit, mated to a bespoke six-speed Ricardo gearbox.
The aero package used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to develop the aerodynamic configuration in McLaren’s F1 simulator along with the engine calibration, power steering, spring rates, weight distribution, gear ratios and differential settings. The steering wheel was copied from the McLaren MP4-24 Formula 1 car. Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group Chief Executive Officer at the time said: “McLaren has racing in its blood 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 closely with our Formula 1 suppliers: Akebono, Mobil 1, McLaren Electronic Systems, Ricardo and Michelin to create the most advanced GT3 racing car.
The MP4-12C GT3 made its competition debut in the British GT Championship at Spa-Francorchamps in July 2012, and went on to score 19 victories across Europe in a variety of championships that same season, including FIA GT1 World, Blancpain Endurance Series and British GT Championship, as well as the 24 Hours of Barcelona.
Dave Ryan, former Sporting Director of the McLaren Formula One team left after 35 years and set up Von Ryan Racing to compete in GT racing. For 2012 VRR entered a team of two McLaren MP4-12C GT3s in the BlancPain Endurance Series, one of which was this car, chassis 004. Throughout the season 004 was driven by Stephen Jelley, Matthew & Julien Draper, and Stef Dusseldorf (solely for the Spa 24 Hours). Subsequently McLaren GT3 cars have become a staple of some of the sport’s most successful GT teams in the Blancpain GT and Endurance Series as well as the Pirelli World Challenge.
004 comes complete with a comprehensive spares package including spare engine and gearbox. This is an intriguing opportunity for anyone looking to join the burgeoning historic GT3 racing scene in a rare, advanced and stunning car. It would also not look out of place in any discerning collection of racing cars.