McLAREN TO SHOWCASE HERITAGE AND CONTEMPORARY CAN-AM MODELS AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

Apr 29, 2013

• The Can-Am name to join the collection of historic McLaren models to run up the Goodwood Hill this summer
• The ultimate McLaren racers of the 1960s and 70s honoured by the most powerful 12C produced to date
• A short, high definition video showing the M8D Can-Am racer in detail and the 12C GT Can-Am Edition on track can be viewed here:http://youtu.be/xZoZME-itbE

 As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, McLaren will showcase a selection of legendary models from the company’s heritage collection at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Alongside some of the most famous race- and championship-winning models from the brand’s illustrious past will be the latest model from McLaren GT which echoes a name with significant links to McLaren – the 12C GT Can-Am Edition – which will thrill crowds as it takes part in the run up the Goodwood Hill.

The McLaren name is synonymous with Can-Am racing throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with the McLaren Racing team claiming five back-to-back world championships between 1969 and 1974, making it the most successful team in the history of the championship.

 The original McLaren Can-Am racers were campaigned by great names from motorsport history including Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme, and are the inspiration for the 12C GT Can-Am Edition. This latest project from McLaren GT is the rawest, most track-focused model built by McLaren Group’s race car manufacturing arm, to-date. Like the cars with which it shares the famous motorsport badge, the 12C GT Can-Am Edition features a powerful V8 engine, with the new model fitted with an unrestricted version of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo powerplant in the 12C GT3. Further modifications over the race-winning 12C GT3 include an optimised aerodynamics package, to provide even greater levels of downforce, and a passenger seat, to allow the thrills of this latest track car to be shared.

The track-only 12C GT Can-Am Edition will be produced in strictly limited numbers, with no more than 30 being built globally. This exclusivity is fitting for the most powerful 12C produced to-date – a worthy tribute to the first McLaren model to wear the Can-Am name since 1972.

About McLaren GT

McLaren GT was launched as a new brand within the McLaren Group early in 2011, and is the race car manufacturing arm based in Woking, Surrey at the former home of McLaren Racing. Following a development year, McLaren GT supplied more than 20 examples of the 12C GT3 for racing in Europe in 2012. Each of the customer teams worked closely with McLaren GT engineers during the competitive debut season, with the opportunity to test vehicle set-up using the same simulator programme used by McLaren Racing.

McLaren Technical Partners
In the development, engineering and manufacture of the innovative and highly acclaimed 12C sports car and 12C GT3 racer, McLaren Automotive and McLaren GT have partnered with world leading companies to provide specialist expertise and technology.  These include Akebono, ExxonMobil and Pirelli.

For further information on McLaren GT, the 12C Can-Am Edition and the 12C GT3, visit  www.mclarengt.com