O φετινός 24-ωρος αγώνας του Le Mans θα γίνει ακόμη περισσότερο εντυπωσιακός, μιας και όπως ανακοίνωσε η McLaren, εκεί θα δώσουν το παρόν 5 θρυλικές F1 GTR. Ο λόγος; Να εορταστεί η 20στη επέτειος από τότε που η McLaren κέρδισε με την F1 GTR το Le Mans. Συγκεκριμένα, στον αγώνα του 1995, μια F1 GTR πήρε τη καρό σημαία με 4 ακόμη να τερματίζουν στις θέσεις 3, 4, 5 και 13.
Όπως εύκολα καταλαβαίνεις, τα αυτοκίνητα που τερμάτισαν σε εκείνον τον αγώνα θα δώσουν το παρόν φέτος, με την McLaren να προσθέτει και μια P1 GTR στη παρέλαση.
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- The five McLaren F1 GTRs that finished the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans to complete a parade lap 20 years after famous victory
- Ultimate celebration of the GTR legacy as the McLaren P1™ GTR makes global dynamic debut
- Follow the celebrations and join the conversation on the McLaren social channels using the hashtag #McLaren95
McLaren Automotive and McLaren Special Operations (MSO) will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans win next month with the ultimate display at the French circuit. The five examples of the McLaren F1 GTR that dominated the 1995 race, including the race-winning chassis #01R, will take to the track led by the latest McLaren model to wear the famous GTR badge as the McLaren P1™ GTR makes its global public dynamic debut. This will be the first time all five cars have been on track together since the chequered flag fell shortly after 16.00, 18 June 1995.
Twenty years on from the famous win, the five cars that finished – chassis #01R, #06R, #02R, #07R and #05R – will return for a parade lap of the legendary circuit prior to the lights going green for the 83rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The McLaren P1™ GTR will lead the charge driven by French former racer Yannick Dalmas, who was part of the winning driver line-up in the number 59 McLaren F1 GTR. His teammates J.J. Lehto and Masanori Sekiya will also join the parade, along with owners of the limited edition 650S Le Mans.
Designed and developed by MSO, the McLaren P1™ GTR is a 1,000PS (986bhp) track-dedicated model which provides membership to the world’s most exclusive McLaren ownership programme. The McLaren P1™ GTR Driver Programme offers unique access to race winning knowledge and expertise within the McLaren Technology Centre, and a bespoke driver training programme designed to hone and optimise driving skills.
DEBUT VICTORY SECURES TRIPLE CROWN
The McLaren F1 secured its place in motorsport history 20 years ago when five lightly race modified examples crossed the finish line of the world’s most famous endurance race in France to complete one of the most dominant results the event had ever seen. The McLaren F1 GTR, in its debut outing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, claimed outright victory, and also finished third, fourth, fifth and 13th against a field of purpose-built prototypes and more established manufacturers. This result meant that McLaren was, and still is, the only manufacturer to have claimed the Triple Crown of Motorsport – victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500.
THE FAMOUS FIVE FINISHERS
Team: Kokusai Aihatsu Racing (GB) – chassis #01R
Car number: 59
Drivers: Yannick Dalmas (F), J.J. Lehto (SF), Masanori Sekiya (J)
Qualified: P9 / Finished: P1
Team: Mach One Racing (GB) – chassis #06R
Car number: 51
Drivers: Derek Bell (GB), Justin Bell (GB), Andy Wallace (GB)
Qualified: P13/ Finished: P3
Team: Gulf Racing (GB) – chassis #02R
Car number: 24
Drivers: Ray Bellm (GB), Mark Blundell (GB), Maurizio Sandro Sala (BR)
Qualified: P11 / Finished: P4
Team: Giroix Racing Team (F) – chassis #07R
Car number: 50
Drivers: Jean-Denis Delétraz (CH), Fabien Giroix (F), Olivier Grouillard (F)
Qualified: P15 / Finished: P5
Team: Société BBA Compétition (F) – chassis #05R
Car number: 42
Drivers: Jean-Luc Maury-Laribiére (F), Hervé Poulain (F), Marc Sourd (F)
Qualified: P20 / Finished: P13
MSO HERITAGE GETS THE McLAREN F1 GTR BACK ON TRACK
McLaren Special Operations, as it is known today, was launched at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2011. However, a division was first set up as the McLaren Customer Care Programme in the 1990s to service, maintain and personalise the McLaren F1 for owners. This service continues at McLaren, and is now managed by the MSO Heritage team, offering an unrivalled level of knowledge and expertise on the McLaren F1. Following its last public outing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2013 to honour 50 years of McLaren, the MSO Heritage team has been responsible for returning the race-winning #01R to the track.
Ahead of the 20th anniversary, a number of key figures involved with the original McLaren F1 GTR project have looked back at preparations for the race weekend, and the event itself. Visit cars.mclaren.com/le-mans-memories to hear these unique insights into one of the true milestones in the history of the McLaren brand.
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