McLaren bills itself as a “race team that builds cars” and this is being reflected in the new McLaren Trophy America championship.
Set to kick off next year, the series is focused on amateur drivers and will feature cars run by independent teams. There’s a good degree of flexibility as teams can have a Pro-Am pairing, a solo amateur, or two amateurs.
They’ll be racing the Artura Trophy, which is billed as an Artura GT4 unleashed from regulatory restrictions. It features an aggressive aerodynamics package, which includes a prominent front splitter, canards, and a high-downforce rear wing. They’re joined by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, which develops 577 hp (430 kW / 585 PS) and allows for “lap times close to GT3 race cars.”
The model is designed to be “accessible to drivers of all abilities.” It also promises to be easily serviceable as the inboard radiators and rear deck can be lifted away without needing to remove the rear wing.
Customers can also compete in a separate one-make racing series featuring the 570S Trophy. It’s billed as an entry-level offering and both cars will be supported by McLaren Customer Racing, which will provide replacement parts as well as technical assistance.
The inaugural season will consist of ten races, spread across five weekends, and the series is designed to deliver a “fantastic level of track time at some of America’s most iconic circuits.” We’ll learn more details later this year, but race weekends are slated to include two 60-minute free practices on Friday as well as a 50-minute race on both Saturday and Sunday. The races will have a mandatory pit stop for a driver change and they’ll be preceded by a 15-minute qualifying session.
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Races will be livestreamed on the McLaren YouTube channel and fun takes precedence. As a result, there will be a “relaxed and sociable paddock environment” as well as a “Formula 1-inspired McLaren race center where drivers can entertain friends, family, sponsors and team managers.” The latter is slated to provide world-class catering as well as refreshments throughout the day.
McLaren’s Director of MSO and Motorsport, Mick McDonagh, said the company is “delighted” to announce the McLaren Trophy America championship following the successful launch of a similar series in Europe last year. He went on to note America “represents McLaren Automotive’s biggest market and has a diverse and vibrant motorsport culture, including a strong GT racing contingent that we are proud to be part of.”
