McLaren confirm Spa 24 Hours driver line-up

McLaren GT have confirmed their line-up for this weekend’s Spa 24 Hours, with ten drivers set to race across three cars.

The team will field two of their MP4-12C GT3 machines in the Pro-Cup category and one in the Pro-Am Cup as they continue to develop the machine ahead of a full 2012 rollout. After debuting the car in the British GT Championship earlier this month Spa will represent its first 24 hour race.

Particularly impressive is the #59 machine's crew, with driver-turned-team boss Andrew Kirkaldy joined by GP2 race winners Alvaro Parente and Oliver Turvey. The team will run a trio of Brits in their #58 entry, with McLaren Automotive test driver Chris Goodwin joined by Rob Bell and Tim Mullen.

Brits Adam Christodoulou, Glynn Geddie and Phil Quaife will be joined by Kiwi racer Roger Wills in the #60 Pro-Am entry, which will run in conjunction with VonRyan Racing.

“I’m delighted with the quality of the drivers we have enlisted as we take the 12C GT3 to its first 24 hour race,” said Goodwin, who along with Kirkaldy is a director of McLaren’s GT programme.

“This level of endurance racing is a crucial test for the car technically, and we need the best possible team working with us to ensure we receive intelligent, objective feedback on the 12C GT3 driving experience. “

McLaren GT is using the 2011 race season to develop the 12C GT3, with 20 cars due for delivery to privateer teams for GT3 series racing in 2012.

Watch the Spa 24 Hours live on Motors TV


James Weeks