The new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 is set for its competitive race debut in 2012, following a development programme in 2011. The competitive race season begins for new McLaren GT customer teams in Germany next weekend, with the opening rounds of the VLN and ADAC GT Masters championships at the Nürburgring Nordschliefe and Oschersleben respectively.
The MP4-12C sports car, on which the GT3 racer is based, will also make its debut as a safety car in the FIA GT1 World Championship race at the Nogaro circuit in France on 8-9 April.
Fans of the Blancpain Endurance Series can look forward to seeing ten 12C GT3s line up on the grid for the season opener in Monza next month, after completing the competition’s official first test last week at Paul Ricard HTTT. The McLaren race cars will wear the unique liveries of ART, ASM, Boutsen Energy, Gulf Racing, Molitor Racing, United Autosports and Von Ryan Racing. The JAS team will also take part in selected rounds of the championship.
Gemballa Racing and Doerr Motorsport will compete in the 12C GT3 in the German VLN series, which includes the famous 24 Hour Nürburgring endurance race in May. GTspirit will be visiting the event on Sunday to share with you the latest from race on Sunday. We even have a special surprise, but more on that in the coming days.
Molitor Racing and Gemballa Racing will run in ADAC GT Masters, and French FIA GT1 Champions Hexis Racing will line up on the grid of the FIA GT1 World Championship. Series Champions Apex Motorsport will enter a new 12C GT3 in selected rounds of this year’s British GT championship, while the Lapidus Racing team will contest the International GT Open series, and also compete in forthcoming 24-hour races at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Circuit de Catalunya in Spain.
