Photo: McLaren
The McLaren 650S Sprint was unveiled last month at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, but the racing-spec version of McLaren’s newest road-going coupe is finally ready to hit the track. Making its race debut this weekend in the British GT Cup series where it will run in three races with two drivers.
In transforming the street-legal 650S to the £198,000 ($332,364 US) 650S Sprint, McLaren made modifications to the supercar’s ProActive Chassis Control, active aerodynamics and Brake Steer systems as well as some obvious body upgrades for improved air flow. The stock 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) are still in place, but they have both received special calibration for optimal track performance. Piloting the McLaren 650S Sprint will be McLaren factory driver Rob Bell and German-based journalist Dale Lomas, who will each have to compete in separate races as well as a longer race that will require a driver change.
"The 650S Sprint is an evolution of the successful 12C GT Sprint, and moves the game on as the 650S road car has done. The 650S Sprint is an easier car to fully exploit and enjoy for a driver, and the levels of engagement and refinement have been optimized. The development program for the car has been extensive so far, with many thousands of kilometers completed on various tracks, but this will be the ultimate test – a real race situation with a highly competitive grid,” said Andrew Kirkaldy, McLaren G managing director.
In addition to the GT Cup, the 650S has also been approved to race in the North American Road Racing Association (NARRA) US GT series, the SCCA GT Championship and the UAE GT series. There is no word, though, as to when the car will start racing in any of these series.
"The 650S Sprint is an evolution of the successful 12C GT Sprint, and moves the game on as the 650S road car has done. The 650S Sprint is an easier car to fully exploit and enjoy for a driver, and the levels of engagement and refinement have been optimized. The development program for the car has been extensive so far, with many thousands of kilometers completed on various tracks, but this will be the ultimate test – a real race situation with a highly competitive grid,” said Andrew Kirkaldy, McLaren G managing director.
In addition to the GT Cup, the 650S has also been approved to race in the North American Road Racing Association (NARRA) US GT series, the SCCA GT Championship and the UAE GT series. There is no word, though, as to when the car will start racing in any of these series.
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