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- JR98 GAMING
Gordan Murray never intended for the McLaren F1 to go racing. He always wanted it to be the ultimate road car with no intention on it being turned into a race car. However, soon after the F1 was launched the BPR Global GT Series was created. Starting in 1994, it was a series for GT cars running endurance races on the worlds most prestigious race tracks. From the start the series was filled with racing versions of current supercars such as the Porsche 911 GT2, Ferrari F40 LM and Venturi 600LM. The series was a potential replacement for the World Sportscar Championship and major manufacturers (notably Porsche and Ferrari) took interest in the series.
At that time teams were looking for cars to run in the top class (GT1). Many teams turned to McLaren (seeing the potential in a McLaren F1 based racing car) in an attempt to convince him to build some factory backed F1's for the series. Finally, Murray gave in and agreed to create several cars for the 1995 season.
He started with what was meant to be car #019 and sent the car to McLaren to be extensively modified so that the chassis would be turned into an experimental prototype. As the McLaren F1 was already very similar to a racing car, not many changes had to be made. Various cooling ducts, a fully adjustable racing wing and a full racing cockpit with a roll cage. Carbon ceramic brakes were also added. Due to regulations of the time the BMW V12 had to use an air restrictor to limit power to 600HP, making the race car less powerful than the road car, but it was still faster on a track due to the improved downforce and reduced weight.
9 cars were built in 1995, #01R was retained by McLaren for testing (except for a one-off use by Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing at Le Mans). Gulf Racing GTC recieved 2 GTR's, with a third replacing a destroyed car. David Price Racing, BBA Competition, Mach One Racing and Giroix Racing Team would all recieve 1 chassis each. The final chassis (#09R) would be given to the Sultan of Brunei for his extensive car collection. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans McLaren took victory and set the fastest top speed at 235 MPH on the Mulsanne Straight.
In 1995 the F1 GTR would campaign mainly in the new BPR Global GT Series, with 3 GTR's taking to the track (2 for Gulf GTC and 1 for West Competition). A Gulf F1 won the race at Jerez, just 16 seconds ahead of a 911 GT2 Evo. Gulf's 2nd chassis (#04R) would be heavily damaged at Jarama and was replaced by a new chassis (#08R).
5 F1 GTR's entered the race at Nurburgring and took the top 5 positions and the Gulf F1 would win again at Donington. However the F1 had a dry spell when it lost to a Porsche at Montlhery and to a Ferrari at Anderstorp. But the F1 would go on to win the final 4 races of the season.
West Competition took the teams championship in 1995 with 2 race wins while Gulf GTC Racing finished 3rd with 5 wins.
Specifications:
Body: 2 Door Coupe
Drivetrain: Mid Engine Rear Wheel Drive
Engine: BMW "S70 GTR" 6.0 V12
Power: 600 BHP
Torque: 650NM @ 6500RPM
Weight: 1000KG
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Top Speed: 240 MPH
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