McLAREN 12C GT3 TO DEBUT AT BATHURST 12 HOUR

Company press release.

The 12C GT3 will return to competitive track action next weekend at one of the most challenging events on the motorsport calendar, as 2013 Australian GT champions VIP Petfoods contest the 2014 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour race. The track-focussed racer from McLaren will make its debut in the famous Australian endurance race, which takes place 7-9 February, among a grid of more than 40 cars.

Having clinched the 2013 Australian GT Championship title, the VIP Petfoods team has now confirmed that the Bathurst race marks the start of the first full-season attack in Australia with the 12C GT3, and the race is also the first time a 12C GT3 has competed in the famous 12 hour race. The race is one of the highlights in the endurance racing calendar, and takes place around the 6.2km Mount Panorama circuit, in New South Wales, Australia.

Father-and son duo Tony and Klark Quinn will share the driving seat with McLaren GT Managing Director, Andrew Kirkaldy. Although primarily focused on running McLaren GT, the Scotsman boasts an impressive driving resumé with a successful history in GT racing. He won the coveted McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, secured the British GT Championship title in 2005, and claimed a podium finish in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans the following year. He has also extensively tested the 12C GT3 throughout its development, racing at key events across Europe during the 2010 season.

Kirkaldy commented: 'I am delighted that VIP Petfoods will contest the full Australian GT calendar this year, and I am honoured to join the team for the debut of the 12C GT3 at the Bathurst 12 Hour. I am really looking forward to racing alongside Tony and Klark, and would like to thank them for the opportunity to be involved. It is such an iconic race, and one I have always dreamt of taking part in.'

The lights will go green for the 2014 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour race at 06:15 EST (GMT +10hrs) on Saturday 8 February.

About McLaren GT

McLaren GT is the GT race car manufacturing arm of McLaren Group established to develop, build and support the GT racing and track derivatives of the 12C sports car. Based in Woking, Surrey at the former home of McLaren Racing, the company is responsible for the design, development and production of the successful 12C GT3 race car, the 12C GT Can-Am Edition and the 12C GT Sprint.

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.