McLaren gets its race face on with MP4-12C

The road car isn't even launched yet, but McLaren has just announced plans to build and sell a GT3 version of its high-tech MP4-12C.

The Woking-based concern has for now issued the rendering shown alongside and a short video (watch it here), to drum up interest in the car, deliveries of which will commence in 2012 to European-based privateer teams.

It's got big shoes to fill as the last Mac to turn its wheels in anger was the F1 GTR, which famously won the Le Mans 24-hour enduro on its debut in 1995.

For its latest sporting venture, McLaren has enlisted the support of CRS Racing -- a UK-based racing team with a proven track record -- to begin development work aimed at turning the 12C road car into a race-winning GT3 sports car.

As part of the development program, McLaren and CRS Racing will compete at a limited number of European GT races in 2011.

In the words of the manufacturer: "With the 12C's revolutionary lightweight one-piece moulded carbon chassis (the 'MonoCell'), its high levels of downforce and aerodynamic performance, and its focus on form and function, the 12C should prove to be a great platform on which to develop a racing car, as well as visually setting pulses racing at European racetracks."

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team principal Martin Whitmarsh adds: "Racing is in our blood -- it was natural to develop a GT3 car alongside the 12C road car.

"We have a legendary history in global motorsport, including GT racing, and we aim to maintain that reputation with this GT3 program, and any future sports car projects that may evolve.

"The 12C's architecture and design was always aimed at high-performance and ease of maintenance -- two key criteria for potential customers."

The company says it will initially develop a limited run of 12Cs for the 2012 European FIA GT3 Series, but, as with McLaren Automotive's road car business, "conservative growth and expansion" will be considered.

Further details about the McLaren 12C GT3 programme will be announced in 2011, but prospective customers can already register their interest by visiting www.mclarengt.com.

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