The inaugural McLaren Trophy season will commence at the Paul Ricard circuit in France on June 2-4 with drivers competing for class titles and an overall championship prize of a drive in some of McLarens most influential cars including a coveted drive in the McLaren Solus GT.
Launched in July last year, the McLaren Trophy is a racing championship designed to put the emphasis on ambitious amateur (Bronze) drivers and to nurture pro-am partnerships. It will showcase the Artura Trophy, a 585PS thoroughbred race car. Capable of lap times close to GT3 cars, it is based on the Artura GT4 and by making straightforward ECU and aerodynamic adjustments, drivers can also compete in GT4 competition with the same car. A separate 570S category will allow owners of the older 570S Trophy cars to compete on the same grid for class victories and championships.
The McLaren Trophy is designed to put the amateur driver first and the Bronze-rated drivers will compete for the overall and 570S class championships. The overall champions will have the opportunity to drive the McLaren Solus GT – an ultra-lightweight, V10-powered single seat track-only car capable of more than 200mph and more than 1,200kg of downforce. The 570S Trophy category champions will win a VIP experience with McLaren Racing at a Grand Prix in 2024. Both prizes underline that McLaren Trophy drivers will be racing for McLaren.
McLaren Trophy, Europe races will support Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS events, including the Blue-Riband Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa. A season prologue event was held at the Paul Ricard circuit ahead of the opening round at the French Grand Prix venue on May 22, giving the drivers and teams the chance to acclimatise to the cars and Pirelli tyres.
“After months of preparation there is huge anticipation for the inaugural McLaren Trophy race at Paul Ricard. The Artura has proven to be a highly competitive race car in GT4 specification and lap times at our recent season prologue have exceeded expectations, with the Bronze drivers able to exploit the car as predicted, following an extensive test and development programmed aimed at making the car as accessible as possible to both drivers and mechanics.
Ahead of the opening round I wish all of our competitors a hugely fulfilling season and hope that they enjoy developing their driving skills and racecraft within the McLaren family.”
Ian Morgan, Director of Motorsport, McLaren Automotive
