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www.QV500.com - McLaren F1 Part 7: GTR ’96 |
 GTR '96 12R, 1996 Zhuhai 4 Hours |
After an exceptional first season with the F1 GTR, McLaren were intent on retaining their dominant form throughout 1996. In came a number of updates to help stay ahead of Michelotto's quick F40 GTE's and hopefully the forthcoming F50 GT (although this latter threat never actually materialised). Nine '96-spec F1 GTR's were built and two ’95's updated by McLaren (03R and 06R). 1996 cars were the last F1 racers to retain the original Peter Stevens bodywork, '97 GTR's getting a distinctive new look with elongated front and rear overhangs. Set-up changes saw ground clearance dropped a further 15mm at the front and a more aggressive chin spoiler affixed that stretched the overall length by 80mm. |
| Running an unchanged 600bhp Type S70/3 GTR engine, mechanical revisions to the ’96 spec F1 were made in the form of an uprated gearbox housed in a lightweight magnesium casing. It featured stronger shafts, thicker wall casings and wider gear wheels. Consequently, weight was down from 1050kg to 1012kg and performance further improved. Some mild aerodynamic revisions included a smaller duct on the front lid while quickly removable body panels allowed for fast and easy pit repairs. During 1996, the F1 GTR notched up nine international BPR GT victories that were supplemented by five race wins in the important All-Japan GT Championship. Nine '96 spec GTR's were constructed between late 1995 until spring ’96, the chassis numbers and histories of which can be found in Part 8.
Major McLaren F1 GTR Race Victories - 1996 |
| Race | Chassis | Team | Drivers |
| Paul Ricard 4 Hours | 12R | Gulf/GTC | Bellm/Weaver |
| Monza 4 Hours | 03R | West/Dave Price Racing | Bscher/Nielson |
| Jarama 4 Hours | 12R | Gulf/GTC | Bellm/Weaver |
| Silverstone 4 Hours | 06R | Harrods/Mach One | Wallace/Grouillard |
| Nurburgring 4 Hours | 03R | West/Dave Price Racing | Bscher/Kox |
| Suzuka 1000kms | 12R | Gulf/GTC | Bellm/Lehto/Weaver |
| Nogaro 4 Hours | 12R | Gulf/GTC | Bellm/Weaver |
| Curitiba 2 Hours | 18R | Bigazzi | Piquet/Cecotto |
| Brasilia 2 Hours | 18R | Bigazzi | Piquet/Cecotto |
| Suzuka Raceway | 13R | Team Lark McLaren | Hattori/Schumacher |
| Mount Fuji Raceway | 14R | Team Lark McLaren | Nielson/Brabham |
| Sendai Raceway | 14R | Team Lark McLaren | Nielson/Brabham |
| Sugo Raceway | 13R | Team Lark McLaren | Hattori/Schumacher |
| Mine Raceway | 13R | Team Lark McLaren | Hattori/Schumacher |
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 GTR '96 06R, 1996 Brands Hatch 4 Hours |