The McLaren 650S GT3 is set to face the toughest test it has seen so far. It is due to take on a 13 hour endurance test in the desert.
As the final stage of its development programme, the 650S GT3 will be sent to the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi to test out its endurance and performance. It will also mark its global competitive debut as it the test will be part of the 2014 Gulf 12 Hour race from DeCember 12th to 13th. From next season, the 650S GT3 will be joining customer teams.
Over the course of the 2014 season, McLaren GT has been using the opportunity to develop the 650S GT3. This upcoming race is set to be the most challenging to date for the model, which was built in Woking.
As well as the ambient temperatures that will be faced on the track throughout the race, the Gulf 12 Hour is also one of the most competitive ones on the GT calendar. At the last headline event of the season, it is predicted that there will be about 30 cars entered into the GT3 category.
Managing director for McLaren GT Andrew Kirkaldy said: “The development programme of the 650S GT3 has been extensive already, with the team testing over thousands of kilometres in various conditions. The Gulf 12 Hour will give us the opportunity to fully evaluate the 650S GT3 in a real life race environment, which presents a very different challenge. It will be the toughest test the 650S GT3 has faced so far.”
He added that while any endurance race is the “true test” of a car, the team has worked hard to ensure that the 650S GT3 is far improved in terms of driver engagement and optimised cooling without any compromise on performance.
Mr Kirkaldy said that, thanks to the changes made to the 650S GT3, performance has been broadened and so it has become more of a drivers’ car. This means that it will be easier for all drivers on the GT grid to access the car’s power.
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