Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse will expand its British GT programme to include a GT4 entry for the first time this season after McLaren Automotive confirmed the team will help develop its all-new 570S GT4.
The car, which has remained a closely guarded secret, was rolled out into Snetterton’s pit-lane earlier this morning ahead of the first test session.
McLaren GT, who together with GT racing specialists CRS GT Limited have helped design the 570S GT4, will use British GT as the competitive platform for its season-long development programme before making the car available to customers from 2017.
Confirmation of Ecurie Ecosse’s involvement follows last week’s announcement that the Scottish squad will enter a McLaren 650S GT3 this season after four seasons with Barwell Motorsport and BMW. With its GT4 driver line-up expected to be announced shortly, McLaren factory driver Rob Bell – who will share the senior entry with Alasdair McCaig this year – was entrusted to turn the car’s initial laps.
While the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine is the same as that found in the road-going Sports Series model, McLaren has made a number of changes to the car’s aesthetics in an effort to refine aerodynamic efficiency. A large rear wing and front splitter retain the tradition of rival GT4 models, while the GT3-inspired bonnet and radiator ducts are designed to improve cooling.
The car also shares the carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis architecture with the other models in the Sports Series, marking the first time such technology has been made available in the GT4 category.
McLaren is just the latest high-profile name to join a thriving British GT4 category, which this year features the likes of Aston Martin, Ginetta, Maserati, Porsche, Lotus and Toyota.
Reserve your tickets here to catch the McLaren 570S GT4 in action at British GT’s opening round of the season at Brands Hatch on April 16/17.
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