How good does this McLaren 12C GT3 look in Gulf livery? And a car that looks this good has to race well! Luckily, the Gulf Racing UK team will return for a second assault on the Blancpain Endurance Series with a "highly competitive driver line-up confirmed for the 2013 season."
After a promising 2012, the UK-based GT team will again run two McLaren 12C GT3s, and will be targeting overall victories with a newly-formed Pro entry as Rob Bell is joined by fellow McLaren GT factory driver Adam Carroll and the young Belgian Nico Verdonck.
The team will also continue to run a Pro-Am entry, with an experienced and competitive driver line-up of the team’s co-owner Mike Wainwright rejoined by pro-driver Andy Meyrick, who raced for the team at selected rounds last year. And McLaren GT works driver and double Le Mans Series champion Rob Bell remains with the team following a strong 2012 season which saw a string of impressive performances.
Rob Bell will lead the charge in the No. 9 car, and is confident going into the new season: "We showed good pace throughout last year, and had a strong end to the season. The car was consistent and competitive, and I am excited by the new line-up we have, so it should be an interesting year."
As part of his role as a factory driver with McLaren GT, Bell has also been involved with the development programme for the 12C GT3 during the off-season, and feels that significant improvements have been made: "The 12C GT3 had some really impressive results throughout the year, and became the car to beat during the latter half of the year, despite being in its debut season. We have worked hard to move things forward, and the 2013 upgrades look to have made an even more well-balanced, competitive package."
Adam Carroll was recently announced as a works driver with McLaren GT, and he joins Gulf Racing UK having showed impressive pace in the select rounds of the Blancpain Endurance Series he competed in last year. The Northern Irishman made the move from a successful early career in single-seaters, and is looking forward to contesting the full Blancpain calendar: "It is great to be involved with McLaren GT, and to join such an iconic team as Gulf Racing UK for 2013. The blue and orange liveried cars have such a fantastic heritage in motorsport, and it’s a real honour to now be part of that. I had a taste of what the Blancpain Endurance Series was like last year, and I loved it, so I am really looking forward to getting back out on track, and competing in the full calendar with the 12C GT3."
Nico Verdonck moves to join the Gulf Racing UK team having contested the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series in a 12C GT3. "It was clear last year that the McLaren is a competitive and reliable car, and I am happy to be back behind the wheel of the 12C GT3, and looking forward to trying the revised 2013 car. I am also delighted to be driving for Gulf Racing as It will also be a very special experience to race in the iconic Gulf livery because of its great motor racing heritage. And it’s great to be given the opportunity to drive for Gulf Racing and to race beside two other top class Pro drivers from McLaren GT. I am sure that our combined experience and speed will enable us to extract the maximum performance from the 12C GT3. I feel, we have all the ingredients to perform strongly and challenge for victories and the championship. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel and I am looking forward to the first race in Monza."
As part of his role as a factory driver with McLaren GT, Bell has also been involved with the development programme for the 12C GT3 during the off-season, and feels that significant improvements have been made: "The 12C GT3 had some really impressive results throughout the year, and became the car to beat during the latter half of the year, despite being in its debut season. We have worked hard to move things forward, and the 2013 upgrades look to have made an even more well-balanced, competitive package."
Adam Carroll was recently announced as a works driver with McLaren GT, and he joins Gulf Racing UK having showed impressive pace in the select rounds of the Blancpain Endurance Series he competed in last year. The Northern Irishman made the move from a successful early career in single-seaters, and is looking forward to contesting the full Blancpain calendar: "It is great to be involved with McLaren GT, and to join such an iconic team as Gulf Racing UK for 2013. The blue and orange liveried cars have such a fantastic heritage in motorsport, and it’s a real honour to now be part of that. I had a taste of what the Blancpain Endurance Series was like last year, and I loved it, so I am really looking forward to getting back out on track, and competing in the full calendar with the 12C GT3."
Nico Verdonck moves to join the Gulf Racing UK team having contested the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series in a 12C GT3. "It was clear last year that the McLaren is a competitive and reliable car, and I am happy to be back behind the wheel of the 12C GT3, and looking forward to trying the revised 2013 car. I am also delighted to be driving for Gulf Racing as It will also be a very special experience to race in the iconic Gulf livery because of its great motor racing heritage. And it’s great to be given the opportunity to drive for Gulf Racing and to race beside two other top class Pro drivers from McLaren GT. I am sure that our combined experience and speed will enable us to extract the maximum performance from the 12C GT3. I feel, we have all the ingredients to perform strongly and challenge for victories and the championship. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel and I am looking forward to the first race in Monza."
Following testing at Aragon, the car has had extensive improvements from last year, which should add up to even better results. We wish them well and salute them for their brave choice of the iconic Gulf colours... surely worth a second a lap? The first race is Monza on April 14th. Find out more here.
