2010 Le Mans: inside the McLaren F1 GTR that won in 1995 ...
As the final piece of our build-up to this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans race, we take a look at the car that won fifteen years ago; the McLaren F1 GTR. Conceived as the ultimate road car, the McLaren F1 was never intended to go racing. The only reason the competition car came about was the insistence of the customers, who urged McLaren to prepare the F1 for the 1995 season. With only minimal time and funds available, the changes to the car were mainly restricted to mandatory safety features, some weight reduction and the addition of a rear wing. Reportedly the BMW sourced V12 engines used stock internals throughout the first season. Painted in very colourful liveries, the GTRs absolutely dominated the BPR Series for production based GT cars. Seven examples were then entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race where there was much stiffer competition from purpose-built prototype racing cars. In absolutely torrential conditions, five of the McLarens held the lead at one point. In the end it was the Ueno Clinic backed example that managed to score a spectacular debut victory for McLaren. The GTR's reign eventually came to an end when the likes of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz started fielding bespoke racing cars in the McLaren's class. The win at Le Mans was probably the last one for a road car based machine we will see in a very long time.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of this incredible success, we have completely redone our F1 GTR article. It describes the car's unusual birth and its numerous racing successes. The piece is illustrated by a 24-shot gallery with images of four different examples, including the Le Mans winner.
Watch this space for a full preview of the race with footage from the scruteneering in town and the practice and qualifying sessions.
Enjoy the links:
1995 - 1996 McLaren F1 GTR - Images, Specifications and Information
If you should see a man walking down a crowded street talking aloud to himself, don't run in the opposite direction, but run towards him, because he's a poet. You have nothing to fear from the poet - but the truth.
(Ted Joans)
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