Gemballa Ventures Into Motorsports with McLaren MP4-12C GT

German based tuner Gemballa is known first and foremost for the personalisation of Porsche cars, something it has been doing for 30 years with notable examples including the Avalanche, based on the Porsche 911, the Tornado, based on the Cayenne, and the Mirage GT, based on the Porsche Carrera GT.

Now, the famous tuning company is venturing into motorsports with its newly formed racing division headed by Gemballa Supervisory Board director, Marco Marquardt.

Surprisingly, Gemballa Racing won't be using a Porsche for its motorsport debut as the company announced today that the new team will enter two McLaren MP4-12C GT3 cars in the 2012 motorsport season.

Team owner and GEMBALLA investor, Steffen Korbach explained: “We chose the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 because we think this car has the potential to be one of the season’s leaders. We have also put together a team of drivers and mechanics who are proven winners. Racing is in our blood! We want to win!”

The Gemballa Racing team will be managed by Sascha Bert, a former German kart champion, Formula 3 and FIA GT driver, who has stood on the winners' podium at the Nürburgring VLN 24-hour race amongst others. “Sascha Bert is an absolute pro, and is ideally qualified to manage our new racing team," said Korbach.

Gemballa's GT3 racecar is based on the recently launched McLaren MP4-12C supercar featuring a 3.8-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, bespoke racing gearbox, carbon safety cell, race front splitter, large fixed rear wing, optimised air vents at the front and a racing diffuser at the rear.

The German company said it will released more details on on the GEMBALLA racing team, its partners and sponsors at a later date.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Read more »

McLaren F1 1993

The McLaren F1 is a sports car designed and built by Gordon Murray and McLaren Automotive. The March 31 March 1998 set the record for the fastest car in the world, 240 mph (391 kmh). In April 2009, the McLaren F1 cars hit by three more quick than pure speed, but still the fastest car naturally aspirated. The car has many designs and proprietary technologies. It is lighter and has a simpler structure than even the most modern of its rivals and competitors, despite a siege of more than most sports cars like the driver's seat is located in the center. It has a powerful engine and it's aimed at the track, but not to the extent that compromises the functionality and comfort in everyday life. It was designed as an exercise in creating what its designers hoped to be considered the ultimate street car.

Although not designed to track planes, racing cars modified edition of the vehicle has won numerous competitions, including 24 hours of Le Mans in 1995, where he met a special prototype racing car. Production began in 1992 and completed in 1998. A total of 106 cars produced some variations. Concept design chief engineer Gordon Murray was common among designers of high performance cars: low weight and high power. This was achieved by using high-tech and expensive materials like carbon fiber, titanium, gold, magnesium, and Kevlar. McLaren F1 was the first car to use carbon fiber monocoque chassis.

The idea was first conceived when Murray was waiting for a flight back from the fateful Italian Grand Prix in 1988, Murray drew a sketch of a car of three sports and has proposed to Ron Dennis, when the idea struck to create the ultimate road car, a concept that is strongly influenced by the Formula One experience and technology in society and therefore reflect the skills and knowledge by the McLaren F1 . Quote from Gordon (translated from Japanese original article): "At that time, we were able to visit with Ayrton Senna (the late F1 Champion) and Honda Tochigi Research Center visit with the fact that at the time, McLaren F1 Grand. Prix ​​cars, used Honda engines. If it is true, I thought it would have been better to put a bigger engine, when I drove the Honda NSX, all cars Ferrari-reference, Porsche, Lamborghini, I was used as reference in developing my car vanished from my mind.

Of course, it is believed the car, the McLaren F1, needed to be faster than the NSX, but the NSX's ride quality and handling would become our new design target. Being a fan of Honda engines, which are then moved to the Honda Research Center in Tochigi, on two occasions and asked to consider building the McLaren F1 4.5-liter V10 and V12. I asked, tried to persuade me, but ultimately could not convince them to do so, and ended McLaren F1 with a BMW engine. "

Later, a pair of cars Ultima MK3 kit, chassis numbers 12 and 13, "Albert" and "Edward", the last two MK3s used as "mules" to test various components and concepts before the first cars were built. Number 12 was used to test the gearbox with a 7.4 liter V8 engine from Chevrolet to mimic the torque of the BMW V12, and various other components such as seats and brakes. Number 13 was the test of the V12, plus exhaust and cooling system. When McLaren was done with the cars they destroyed both to keep journals, and because they did not want the car to be associated with "kit cars".

Read more »

McLaren F1 GTR 1995

Built at the request of race teams, such as those owned by Ray and Thomas Bscher Bellmer, to participate in the BPR Global GT Series, it was the McLaren F1 GTR race car built for this purpose which introduced a system of motor management changes that increased the power output - however, the air restrictors mandated by racing regulations reduced the power back to 600 hp (447 kW) at 7500 RPM. Cars significant changes included changes to body panels, suspension, aerodynamics and interior. McLaren F1 GTR would make his greatest success with the first, third, fourth, fifth and 13th seats in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995, beating manufactured sports car prototypes. A total of nine McLaren F1 GTR to be built for 1995.

You can follow the success of the McLaren F1 GTR in 1996, McLaren will be further developed the '95, which leads to increases in size, but the weight loss. Nine F1 GTR spec built in 1996, while others were still 1,995 cars a year by pirates. McLaren F1 GTR '96 chassis # 14R is important to be the first non-Japanese car to win to contest the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC). The car was driven by David Brabham and John Nielsen. Lost about 100 kg in 1995, edition of the GTR and the engine was considered to be for detuned 600 HP racing regulations.

With the F1 GT homologated, McLaren could now develop the McLaren F1 GTR for the 1997 season. The weight was reduced and a sequential gearbox was added. The engine was a bit destroked to 6.0 instead of the previous 6.1L. Due to the heavily modified bodywork, the McLaren F1 GTR '97 is often referred to as the "Longtail" through the rear bodywork being extended to increase support back. A total of ten McLaren F1 GTR '97s were built. The weight has been reduced to a total of 910 kg.

Read more »

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 2011

McLaren GT uusi auto valmistaja Kilpi, Joka yhdistää asiantuntemus McLaren Racing, McLaren Automotive yes CRS Racing paljastettiin McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Kilpi Yes Automatic suunnitelmat kehittämisohjelmaa 2011. Uusi McLaren MP4-12C GT3 on automatic rakennettiin ensimmäinen McLaren FIA GT sarjan Kilpi Koska McLaren F1 GTR in 1997 valmer tuotantoon. 12C GT3 perustuu uuteen MP4-12C tehokas urheiluauto Ryhmes insinöörejä yes, yes suunnittelijoita testikuljettajan kanssa laaja kokemus yes GT Formula 1 Racing koonnut toteuttaa mukauttamista Hiili alustaan ​​Racing perustuvia erittely 12C.

McLaren GT, a manufacturer of new car racing, which brings together the expertise of McLaren Racing, McLaren Automotive and CRS Racing unveiled the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 race car and plans for a development program in 2011. The new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 will be McLaren's car first built in the FIA ​​GT racing series since the McLaren F1 GTR finished production in 1997. The GT3 12C is based on the new MP4-12C high-performance sports car and a team of engineers, designers and test pilots with extensive experience in Formula 1 and GT race was assembled to implement the process adaptation of 12C carbon chassis specification of the race.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group CEO SAGD: "McLaren Racing blodet i har, og det var naturligt skridt the Tagus and carnivores MP4-12C Gore bil og det til way den mest pålidelige that effekte hver og Bil Bil in GT3 kore PA. sharpness, vile sin afbalancerede præstation career has resolved af, hvilket betyder, carnivores wrong with me in teknisk vælge Spécifik VAERS, der Sikri in alle er driver until I adgang til med FA 12C GT3 grænse præstationer Lethe. "Vi har med Careers CRS arbejdet 12C er så og design Sikri UNTAET udviklingsprogram som muligt På McLaren Racing in the city i ansætte udvikle Formula 1 billion. CRS Teamet til hos er in debt afgørelser velkvalificeret På form område, det har da i ry GT3 racing Bedstead Biler, og Forst, hvad der success af fa i kræves konkurrencedygtige debt level motorsport.

"Meanwhile, McLaren Racing is able to offer new levels of technology for GT3 racing. No other car in GT3 in 2012 will come with a carbon road car frame, or a steering wheel and related technologies in a car Formula 1. "The GT3 will MonoCell carbon 12C 12C and same wheel control design used by Lewis Hamilton in the MP4-24 Formula 1 car also work closely with suppliers of past and present Formula: .. Akebono, Mobil 1, McLaren Electronic Systems, Ricardo and Michelin, for example, this mix of street car and Formula 1 technology and experience will be a great advantage for anyone to 12C GT3 race in 2012.

McLaren GT aims to provide the highest quality, most reliable and driveable car GT3 grid of 20 cars delivered Privateer teams racing in Europe in 2012. A unique combination of McLaren Racing and CRS technology and development methodology is a counterweight to the appointment of experts and GT McLaren drivers of success to develop at 12C GT3 races challenging during the 2011 season. McLaren GT will debut the new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Series race this season Blancpain Endurance Circuit de Navarra in Spain, followed by France, Magny-Cours and Silverstone in England. As part of the development program 12C, GT3, GT McLaren is also expected to enter a total of 24 hours of Spa race resistance.

Read more »

McLaren Opens its First Two Dealerships

True to its original plan of expanding its dealer network throughout the world, McLaren Automotive today opened its first two dealerships in Germany in the cities of Düsseldorf and Hamburg just in time for the Formula 1 German Grand Prix this weekend.
These are the first dealerships to open after McLaren’s flagship showroom in London. They will be followed by two more in Munich and Frankfurt, while by the end of the year, 30 more showrooms in 19 countries in Europe, North America, the Middle East, South Africa, Australia and Japan will be added to the network.
Aside from the road version of the MP4-12C, every showroom will have a different competition model from McLaren’s rich racing history.
In Hamburg, the car on display will be the MP4/6 with which the late Ayrton Senna won his third, and final, Formula 1 world championship in 1991, while the Dusseldorf dealership will play host to the MP4/5 that won the 1989 title with Alain Prost.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Read more »

McLaren Decides to Make MP4-12C “More Emotional”

McLaren’s MP4-12C has received a lot of praise from automotive journalists. It has even set the second fastest time ever in the Top Gear power lap. But this doesn’t mean that it’s perfect.
Most who have driven it have placed it below its chief rival, the Ferrari 458 Italia, not because its’ slower (it isn’t) or less capable, but because it lacked the aural charisma and emotional character of the Italian supercar. In other words, it was good, but also a bit clinical.
Therefore, McLaren decided to do something about it just before first deliveries start this week. A McLaren spokesman told Autocar magazine that changes to the MP4-12C to be delivered to customers include “a fruiter exhaust note” as well as “improved throttle response”.
The spokesperson noted that these improvements were made "because of McLaren's F1 mentality to up the pace of development".
McLaren’s engineers tweaked the car’s Intake Sound Generator by altering the butterfly valve found in the tube that connects the engine’s plenum to the cabin. However, this change is noticeable in Track mode only.
“It was a bit too sensible before” admitted the spokesman. “You won’t notice the changes in normal mode, just when you’re really having fun and pushing it. They don’t lead to any performance increase, but they do lead to an emotional increase when you drive the car.”

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Read more »

Red Bull Takes the Front Row in Qualifying with Webber in Pole Position

The unpredictable weather conditions made the qualifying of the British Grand Prix something of a gamble, and the teams weather forecasts were expecting rain during the final session. So everyone made sure that they got out quickly in order to set a fast time before it started to rain again.

Once again Sebastian Vettel was the man to beat, setting a provisional pole. But this was not to last as his team mate, Mark Webber, recorded a fastest lap just seconds later beating Vettel by just 0.032 seconds.

Behind the Red Bull-occupied front row were the two Ferraris. Third place went to Fernando Alonso, who was just 0.1 seconds slower than Vettel and fourth to Felipe Massa, with the Scuderia obviously very happy with the progress they have made.

Jenson Button’s McLaren was fifth, but his team mate Lewis Hamilton couldn’t manage anything better than 10th place in his home Grand Prix. The surprise of the day was the performance of Paul di Resta, who in his rookie period brought his Force India to the sixth place of the grid.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Read more »

VIDEO: Revised McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Racer

The MP4-12C GT3, McLaren’s first race car outside of Formula 1 since the legendary F1 GTR, will make its debut in front of the public at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Based on the new MP4-12C, the GT3 will appear in a revised form after McLaren’s team further honed the supercar.
Changes include a new front radiator that increases the maximum ambient temperature at which the car can perform and a new gearbox cooler. There’s also a new aerodynamics package comprised of a new front splitter, door blade, rear wing, diffuser and louvers in the front bumpers, all made by carbon fibre.
Like the road car, the MP4-12C GT3 racer features a carbon fibre chassis and the same steering wheel as the MP4-24 Formula 1 car. The McLaren GT team will spend the 2011 season developing the GT3 before delivering 20 cars to privateer teams for the 2012 season.

VIDEO

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Read more »

Gordon Murray Unveils Electric City Car Radical T.27

Gordon Murray is best known as the mastermind behind the creation of McLaren’s F1, which at its time was the fastest supercar of the world – and, before that, for his work and revolutionary ideas in Formula 1 teams such as Brabham. However, that was a long time ago and now Murray is obsessed with creating a unique city car.

So today his company, Gordon Murray Design, unveiled in London their latest ultra compact city car, the T.27. It is a project that was completed in just 17 months from conception to a running prototype, including the design of a new electric powertain by Zytek Automotive Ltd.

The design and development of the project cost £ 9 million, half of which were invested by the UK government-backed Technology Strategy Board.

Murray’s aim was to create a completely new kind of car. One that would address the problems of CO2 emissions, city congestion, parking and low cost. He therefore patented a new manufacturing process, called iStream, which enabled him to produce new levels of lightweight structure and safety in city cars.

In Murray’s own words, “lightweight is the most powerful tool we have in our armory in the fight against emissions and fuel consumption. This is true of all cars, especially electric vehicles, since a lightweight car means a lightweight battery, increasing the levels of safety and reducing the retail price dramatically”.

The T.27 achieved recently first class results in the EuroNCAP 50 km/h impact crash test, confirming the integrity of the chassis.

Gordon Murray Design states that the T.27 is the most economical amongst electric city cars: per km, it consumes 29% less energy than the Smart EV, 36% less energy than the Mitsubishi iMiEV, and a staggering 86% less energy than the Mini-E, making the T.27 easily the world’s most efficient electric car.

The company is talking to three possible manufacturers, and the car will make its road debut at the RAC Future Car Challenge on the 5th of November.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Read more »