Ahead of the 2016 Total 24 Hours of Spa, it has been confirmed that one of the three examples of the McLaren 650S GT3 being run by customer team Garage 59 will wear a unique livery based on the original logo which adorned the early racers of the Bruce McLaren Motor Racing team. The logo featured on McLaren cars between 1962 and 1966.
The distinctive red, white and green design celebrates the 50th anniversary of the last competitive outing for the original Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Team emblem, with team founder Bruce McLaren at the wheel. Designed by British illustrator Michael Turner, it was the first to feature the famous ‘Speedy Kiwi’. The modern interpretation will run on the #60 650S GT3, which makes a one-off appearance at the twice-around-the-clock race with driving responsibilities shared between McLaren P1™ GTR Driver Mentor Bruno Senna alongside fellow Brazilian Luis Felipe ‘Pipo’ Derani and Brit Duncan Tappy.
Throughout its use, the badge featured on the 1965 McLaren M2A single seater prototype and a number of Group 7 sportscars. The most famous of the cars which ran the ‘Speedy Kiwi’ was the McLaren M1A – the first true McLaren race car – which scored the first podium for the team on its debut at the ultra-fast Canadian circuit Mosport in September 1964.
The #60 McLaren 650S GT3 forms part of a three PRO car assault by customer team Garage 59, which goes in to the race leading both the Blancpain Endurance Team Championship and the Driver Championship with Factory Driver Rob Bell. The #58 and #59 cars retain the regular Blancpain GT Series colour scheme.
The 2016 Total 24 Hours of Spa begins at 16.30CST (15.30BST), Saturday 30 July.