Taste Racing History at Lime Rock Park

Lime Rock Park. The third oldest continuously operating race track in America. A track that has seen the likes of Mario Andretti and Paul Newman carve its corners and fly down its straightaways. A track steeped in racing history. Here, a select handful of McLaren owners and guests celebrated our past 60 years of racing excellence the only way McLaren owners know how — driving fast.

When Life Gives You Lime Rock Park

The rally started on the evening of September 11 with a welcome dinner hosted by F1 driver Bruno Senna, the nephew of McLaren legend Ayrton Senna. Bruno shared stories of his uncle while guests got the chance to familiarize themselves with fellow owners. After greetings and cocktails, guests were directed to their accommodations at the Troutbeck hotel in anticipation for the next day on the track.

The next morning started unassumingly, with a quick breakfast and safety briefings greeting the guests before a trip to the track. And that’s when the rally kicked into high gear. Guests were fitted with head socks and helmets before jumping into their cars and truly testing the limits of their McLarens.

Pure McLaren Magic

First up, a Lead Follow for all the drivers. Following cars driven by members of the UK McLaren driver training team, each owner got a chance to gain a feel of Lime Rock Park. This quick circuit allowed our beginner guests to adjust to driving on a professional track and our more advanced drivers to anticipate the turns and straightaways lurking ahead.

After the Lead Follow, the main event – a one-on-one driving session with a McLaren driving coach. Here, our guests were able to unleash their inner Lando Norris and feel the full force of McLaren under the guidance of the same team working to bring home F1 championships.

However, the engines did not stop there. Instead, after a quick break for lunch, every guest was treated to test drive the McLaren Artura, and glimpse what the next generation of supercars looks, sounds, and most importantly, drives like.

Finally, after our guests had a chance to cut their teeth for a few hours on the Lime Rock Park Track, each owner got behind the wheel one last time to compete head-to-head in a timed hot lap.

Far from the Finish Line

By the time we waved the checkered flag on the weekend, our guests had fully tasted history. Not only by driving upon one of the most storied circuits in American racing, or by dining with a member of F1 royalty, but also by pushing their own personal supercars to the limit and experiencing an engineering legacy 60 years in the making.

If you missed your opportunity to celebrate with us at Lime Rock Park, use the link below to receive more details for one of our future track events in 2024.

Because even with our 60th in the rearview, we plan to continue making history, one lap at a time.

Ayrton Senna in 30 Moments

CHAPTER 1: THE ORIGIN OF A CHAMPION

The year is 1960. Ayrton Senna is born to Milton Guirado da Silva and Neide Joanna Senna da Silva. His family calls him Beco.

The year is 1967. Senna gets behind the wheel for the first time. He drives circuits in his father’s jeep around the family farm.

The year is 1973. Senna enters his first race in a kart powered by a lawn mower engine. He starts in pole position and leads most of the way, but retires after crashing into a rival. He has found his calling.

The year is 1980. It is the final race of the Karting World Championships. Senna is battling Terry Fullerton and Peter de Bruijn, his two biggest rivals. Senna has raced in the past two World Championships, getting second the previous year. He is determined to win. But de Bruijn never lets up. Senna finishes second for the second time. He learns to despise defeat.

The year is 1981. Senna is giving up motorsports. His parents want him to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an entrepreneur. But before he can hang up his helmet, Formula Ford offers him $10,000 to join their Formula Ford 2000 team. He considers the offer. He says yes. From this point forward, Ayrton Senna is known as one thing: a racer.

The year is 1983. The British Formula Three world has quickly learned the name Ayrton Senna. He dominates the first half of the season. And as soon as Martin Brundle closes the gap, Senna pulls ahead in the final round and wins the Grand Championship. He is ready to make the leap.

The year is 1984. Senna signs with Toleman’s F1 team after testing for McLaren and Williams. He underwhelms in his debut, but this does not slow Senna down, and the Brazilian scores his first F1 points in his next race in South Africa. But it isn’t until the Monaco Grand Prix that Senna starts to turn heads. 

In Monaco, Senna is chasing eventual number two driver in the world Alain Prost in the final laps. He is gaining. Four seconds a lap. Prost is just ahead. He is about to pass. But then, it's over. The red flag is flown. Weather stops the race and Prost is declared victor. This is the beginning of a decade-long rivalry.

The year is 1985. Senna secretly signs with Lotus to avoid his Toleman contract. The Lotus car is faster and more powerful, providing Senna with the tools necessary for his first pole position and first place at the Portuguese Grand Prix. But the car also proves less reliable than Toleman’s, and Senna fails to score in nine of his races — nearly half due to mechanical issues.

The year is 1986. Senna is now the number one driver at Lotus. He takes an early lead in the F1 season, but further mechanical issues limit his ability to truly compete. Despite taking nine podiums, he never comes close to competing for the grand championship. He knows he can do better.

The year is 1987. Senna is frustrated. Despite Lotus inking a deal with Honda to secure the dominant V6 engine, the Lotus cars are still no match for the competition. Senna finishes in third place for the Drivers’ Championship, his best showing. It is not good enough. He wants a team that can fully support his abilities. A team that refuses to compromise. He joins Team McLaren.

CHAPTER 2: DESIGNED TO WIN

The year is 1988. F1 is set to ban turbo-charged engines the following year. Teams are working to design naturally aspirated cars for the future. McLaren takes a risk. They strike a deal with Honda to secure the rights to the RA168E V6-turbo engine for its final year of legality. With the engine in house, McLaren creates an unstoppable car for the coming season — the MP4/4.

It is April of 1988. Senna joins Prost on team McLaren on a three-year contract. The Frenchman and the Brazilian get behind the new McLaren car and they begin one of the most dominant streaks F1 has ever seen. Prost opens strong, taking first at Brazil. Senna answers quickly with a first of his own at San Marino. Then Prost first. Prost first. Senna first. Senna first. Prost first. Senna first. Senna first. Senna first. Senna first. Prost first. Prost first. Senna first. And finally, Prost first.

McLaren wins 15 out of 16 races this year — the most ever by a single car up until that point. It will be a record that will hold for 35 years. On the winner’s podium Prost stands in second, and Senna, after five years of clawing to the top, finally hoists the championship. No longer an also-ran, Senna is officially the best racer in the world. Prost does not agree.

The year is 1989. Prost and Senna are now driving the MP4/5, the successor to the MP4/4, and their rivalry is as bitter as ever. Tension first starts boiling over at San Marino, when Senna overtakes Prost. Prost says there was an agreement whoever won the start would not be challenged through the first corner. Prost wins the start and Senna overtakes him at the first corner. Senna denies any agreement was made. The two’s relationship is deteriorating rapidly.

It is October of 1989. It is the penultimate race of the schedule at the Japanese Grand Prix. Prost leads in points, but Senna can take the championship if he places first. As Senna is coming around turn 46, Prost is on his right. Prost attempts to gain the edge, but tangles their wheels. Crash. 

Prost retires from the race. Senna refuses to do the same. Senna requisitions a push start and rages back into first… but it’s too late. The push start is deemed illegal and Senna is disqualified. Prost takes the championship. Prost said the collision was an accident. Senna is furious. He does not accept defeat.

The year is 1990. Prost leaves McLaren for Ferrari and Senna is now officially McLaren’s number one driver. With his rival now off his team, Senna rises to the challenge as the face of McLaren, quickly rattling off six wins. But Prost is not one to stay quiet. He answers back with five wins of his own. The two are destined to meet on the podium.

It is October of 1990. It is the penultimate race of the schedule at the Japanese Grand Prix. Senna leads in points, but Prost can take the championship if he places first. Senna takes pole position and asks to be placed on the left side of the track. His request is denied. Senna is not happy. He is not happy that Prost crashed into him last year. He is not happy that he was disqualified last year at the Japanese Grand Prix. He is not happy that his simple request this year is denied. 

Senna decides to act. On the first turn, Senna never takes his foot off the accelerator and crashes into Prost. The competition is over. Senna wins the championship. Another year is decided by collision.

The year is 1991. Prost and Ferrari take a step back. There are no rivals left. Senna and the new McLaren MP4/6 dominate the early F1 season, winning the first four races. The Williams Team, behind driver Nigel Mansell, attempts a late season comeback, but it is too late. Ayrton Senna wins the championship, becoming the youngest back-to-back winner and youngest three-time winner. His legacy is secured. He is one of the greatest racers of all time.

The year is 1992. The Williams FW14B is the dominant car of the season, thanks to the Renault V10 engine powering it. Despite Senna and McLaren’s best efforts, the McLaren Team cannot compete. His brightest moment of the season isn’t on the track, but beside it. He heroically saves French driver Érik Comas from a burning collision at the Belgian Grand Prix. He gains the admiration of his fellow drivers.

The year is 1993. McLaren is unable to secure the Renault V10 and must resort to Ford V8s. Senna tries to join the Williams team, but Prost has already taken a spot and vetoes any attempt for Senna to join him. Senna must decide whether to take a year off, or drive with McLaren. Of course, he drives.

It is November of 1993. Despite its underpowered engine, the McLaren MP4/8 is proving its worth against the Williams FW15C. Senna takes two of the first three races and seems poised to place a stranglehold on first. But a series of mechanical issues plague Senna and Prost takes six of the last seven. 

At the last race of the year in Australia, Prost’s point lead is insurmountable. But Senna doesn’t care. He races not just to win, but to live. He takes first place ahead of Prost — this time, for the last time. He welcomes his rival on stage. They embrace each other. Rivalry melts into respect. This will be the last time Prost and Senna race, and the end to McLaren and Senna’s dominance over F1.

CHAPTER 3: SENNA FOREVER

The year is 1994. Prost retires from Williams and Senna takes his spot. But Senna has concerns about the new Williams car, the FW16. He believes the handling is loose and in his own words states, “It's going to be a season with lots of accidents.” Unfortunately, he will soon be proven correct.

It is May of 1994. Senna is distraught. He just saw rookie driver Roland Ratzenberger die from a collision on the first day of the San Marino Grand Prix. It is recommended he retire from the race. Senna refuses. He must race. 

On the next day, he leads the competition through the first six laps. But on the seventh lap, Senna loses control of his car and slams into the concrete retaining wall. He is quickly airlifted to a hospital, but nothing can be done. 

Ayrton Senna is dead.

It is May of 1994. A funeral is held for Senna in Sao Paulo. Over 200,000 people attend. His epithet reads, "Nothing can separate me from the love of God." 

In the wake of Senna and Ratzenberger’s death, numerous safety regulations are implemented by F1. In the 30 years prior to Senna’s death, 16 drivers died in Grands Prix. In the 30 years since, just one.

It is November of 1994. Viviane Senna, Ayrton’s sister, creates the Instituto Ayrton Senna in her brother’s honor. The Institute is a non-profit organization that aims to provide opportunities for the children of Brazil. Since its inception, the organization has invested over $80 million in social programs and actions across the country.

The year is 2004. Ten years have passed since Senna’s passing, but his legacy lives on. He has been inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame, been honored by the 1994 Brazilian World Cup team, and more people visit his grave than those of John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley combined.

The year is 2014. Twenty years have passed since Senna’s passing. Senna is now rightfully viewed as one of the best drivers of all time. He has been voted as the greatest driver in history across numerous polls in the years since his death. Thousands gather at the Tamburello corner, the exact scene of his death, to share a moment of silence in his honor.

The year is 2017. McLaren Automotive reveals a new supercar, The McLaren Senna. Named in honor of the legendary driver, the Senna is designed and engineered to make it a road-legal track car that is raw and uncompromising: just like the Brazilian who inspired it.

The year is 2024. Thirty years have passed since Senna’s passing. McLaren announces Senna30 — a 30-year retrospective and celebration of the life and legacy of one the most decorated drivers of all time. The anniversary collects tributes from current McLaren employees, stories from team members who worked alongside Senna, and evidence of his indelible legacy with McLaren. Owners speak on what it means to drive a Senna. A parade is held in his honor. The entire McLaren family gathers to recognize one of the greatest drivers in history.

It is May of 2024. McLaren reveals its Senna Sempre livery for the Monaco Grand Prix, the race Senna won six separate times with McLaren. The livery pulls colors from Senna’s helmet and subtly incorporates numbers and quotes from Senna’s career. As the cars race by, fans are treated to a brief taste of the thrill of Senna on the track. 

It is June of 2024. McLaren brings together the largest gathering of McLaren Sennas ever at Circuit of the Americas for their Pure McLaren event. It is electric on the track. Every person there understands the importance of Ayrton Senna, and the legacy of the name behind the car they drive. Ayrton’s nephew Bruno Senna, an accomplished racer in his own right, makes an appearance and speaks on behalf of the Senna family. McLaren resurrects one of the classic MP4/5s to race around the track. 

Finally, the Senna owners get behind the wheel and take a victory lap in Ayrton Senna’s honor. And over the roar of the engines, you can almost hear Senna cutting the corners and blazing down the straightaways one last time.

McLaren Takes On 2023

As a Kiwi Quarterly subscriber, you want to stay plugged in to all things McLaren. And to make sure you are, we’ve curated a calendar of all the major events across North America that McLaren is participating in during the rest of 2023. Take a look ahead at the exciting experiences that our team has to offer this year, and we hope to see you in person at one or more soon.

F1 GRAND PRIXS

Miami Grand Prix

​​Returning for a second year, the Miami GP is the legendary city’s F1 race that features high-speed straights, challenging corners, and a wide range of off-track experiences for attendees.

CITY: Miami, FL

DATE: May 5-7

U.S. Grand Prix

Celebrating 11 years of F1 racing, this race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin challenges drivers to navigate blind corners and multiple elevation changes for 56 laps under the Texas sun.

CITY: Austin, TX

DATE: October 20-22

Mexico City Grand Prix

Following in the footsteps of Denny Hulme, Alain Prost, and Ayrton Senna, McLaren looks to capture our fourth Mexico City championship in the latest iteration of this F1 favorite.

CITY: Mexico City, Mexico

DATE: October 27-29

Sao Paulo Grand Prix

With 12 Brazilian championships under our belt, McLaren returns to Interlagos with expectations of excellence at one of the most physically demanding counter-clockwise circuits in the world.

CITY: Sao Paulo, Brazil

DATE: November 3-5

Las Vegas Grand Prix

Representing the newest race on the F1 calendar, the Las Vegas GP takes place directly on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Purchase the McLaren LVGP package to access exclusive McLaren owner events and parties in-and-around Las Vegas.

CITY: Las Vegas, NV

DATE: November 16-18

MOTORSPORT FESTIVALS, CELEBRATIONS & DRIVING EVENTS

Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

Combining two car exhibitions, one featuring cars from the world of motorsports and one featuring post-war American, Italian, and English automobiles, this event provides something for every car enthusiast.

CITY: Greenwich, CT

DATE: June 2-4

Owners Rally – North Carolina

Test out America’s number one sports car and motorcycle road at this year’s North Carolina owners rally. With over 300 turns across 11 miles, “The Tail of the Dragon” guarantees the ride of your life.

CITY: Asheville, NC

DATE: June

Sun Valley Tour De Force

Drivers come from all across the country and beyond to participate in eight distinct events at this celebration of automotive engineering, including the famous “NO SPEED LIMIT” runs on Phantom Hill.

CITY: Ketchum, ID

DATE: July 20-22

Pebble Beach Car Week

Taking place in Monterey, California, Pebble Beach is the premier experience for automotive enthusiasts. As part of the celebration, McLaren will be hosting a rally for owners as part of the week’s events. Featuring global reveals from storied brands, the experience culminates on the final Sunday with the historic Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. 

CITY: Monterey, CA

DATE: August 11-20

Owners Rally – New York

Join fellow McLaren owners upstate to celebrate our longstanding history of motorsport success in New York dating back to Bruce placing in the 1966 United States Grand Prix in Glen Watkins, NY.

CITY: Upstate, NY

DATE: September

Pure McLaren – Lime Rock Park

Take part in a slice of racing history at this McLaren event where you can drive the same track that has been graced by racing and Hollywood legends, such as Mario Andretti and Paul Newman.

CITY: Lakeville, CT

DATE: September 12-14

The Bridge Concours d’Elegance 

An exhibition on the hallowed turf of Bridgehampton Race Circuit, the event will showcase some of the greatest cars from the golden age of American motorsports with historically significant displays that are sure to excite and impress. 

CITY: Bridgehampton, NY

DATE: September 23-24

Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week

Commemorating the first American automobile race in Newport, Rhode Island from the year 1900, this event is designed around the Audrain Automobile Museum, which features access to more than 200 of the most remarkable and rare vehicles ever made.

CITY: Newport, RI

DATE: September 28 – October 1

Owners Rally – Texas

Explore the American west in all its glory at our Texas Owners Rally. Drive through the Texas Hill country and experience historic landmarks, natural wonders, and miles of open road.

CITY: Austin, TX

DATE: October

Pure McLaren – Thermal Club

Combine performance and luxury at this beautiful mountain track that challenges drivers with 18 turns and a variety of circuit options.

CITY: Thermal, CA

DATE: October 6-7

Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival

An exhibition of rare cars set against the backdrop of South Carolina's lovely Lowcountry, this event honors automotive excellence with a touch of Southern flair.

CITY: Hilton Head Island, SC

DATE: November 2-5

Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance

Taking place on one of the most famous boulevards in the world, the Las Vegas Strip, this event attracts some of the most celebrated car manufacturers and owners for a weekend of automotive excellence.

CITY: Las Vegas, NV

DATE: November 11-12

Velocity Invitational

A luxury motorsports festival in the heart of California's Monterey Peninsula, this three day celebration features the world's greatest cars competing on one of the world’s most challenging tracks – Laguna Seca – in a flat-out, wheel-to-wheel competition.

CITY: Sonoma, CA

DATE: November 10-12

Pure McLaren – Homestead

Best known for its involvement with NASCAR, this track features steep banking on its oval circuit and the perfect mix of long straights and 11 varied bends, allowing you to push your driving capabilities to the limit.

CITY: Miami, FL

DATE: December 8-9

INDYCAR GRAND PRIXS

GMR Grand Prix

The first of two races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this event serves as the opening weekend for IndyCar racing.

CITY: Indianapolis, IN

DATE: May 12-13

Quals Weekend

The leadup to the Indianapolis 500, Qualifying Weekend is the perfect precursor to witness some of the world’s best drivers vie for pole position at the Brickyard.

CITY: Indianapolis, IN

DATE: May 20-21

The Indianapolis 500

The landmark event of the IndyCar calendar, the Indy 500 boasts more than a century of traditions, legends, and memories in what is now colloquially known as The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

CITY: Indianapolis, IN

DATE: May 28

Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix

Motor City’s celebrated race returns to downtown Detroit in 2023. With four unique competitive series across three days, the diverse lineup promises to satisfy every type of motor enthusiast.

CITY: Detroit, MI

DATE: June 3-4

Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America

Located in the heart of Wisconsin, this Grand Prix offers amazing viewing opportunities across its 14 turns, fantastic concessions, and high-speed excitement that has attracted some of racing’s greats.CITY: Elkhart Lake, WI

DATE: June 17-18

Big Machine Music City Grand Prix

Get the full Nashville experience at the newest Grand Prix on this year’s IndyCar calendar. Listen to some of America’s best artists, taste some of America’s best cuisine, and witness some of America’s fastest drivers.

CITY: Nashville, TN

DATE: August 5-6

Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey

The season finale of this year’s IndyCar calendar, this Grand Prix will take place on the freshly repaved WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, which features the signature, downhill-plunging "Corkscrew" turn.

CITY: Monterey, CA

DATE: September 9-10

THE DRIVE TO DRIVE: McLAREN CUSTOMER RACING

Have you ever dreamt of racing against Lando Norris? Imagined yourself gripping the wheel while adrenaline courses through your veins at over 200 miles per hour? Pictured that checkered flag waving you on for one last lap while hundreds cheer from the stands?

Alas, our team at McLaren can’t get you on the track with Lando – but for the rare few McLaren owners that possess the commitment and skill necessary to tackle the world’s toughest circuits, we can do the next best thing. For McLaren owners with a racing license, the McLaren team has developed a program designed to push their limits. We want these McLaren owners to tackle corners, blaze down straights and see the world blur around them. We want them to understand what 60 years of love and dedication can create. But more than anything, we want their hearts to race with excitement, because every McLaren and McLaren owner has racing built into their DNA. 

But how do these owners get behind the wheel and on to the track? McLaren Motorsport.

HOW CUSTOMERS BECOME COMPETITORS

The McLaren Motorsport Program began with a simple goal: free our customers from the restrictions imposed by regular streets and roadways, to permit them to experience the physical limits of what is possible in a McLaren. We put every racer in a specially engineered GT variation of an existing road car and push them to the brink on some of the world’s premier circuits.

And these events are not just enhanced test drives. McLaren Motorsport partners with established GT racing brands to ensure our racers are performing before packed grandstands and in an electric atmosphere. For every customer racing series, the turns are just as tight, the audience is just as loud and the engineering is just as advanced. The only difference is who’s behind the wheel.

And speaking of competitive series, The McLaren Trophy, Europe, is McLaren’s brand new competitive series debuting this year. As a fan of McLaren, you have probably wondered at some point, “Is it the car or the driver that makes a difference?” Well we did too. McLaren Trophy was designed to finally put that very question to rest.

In this specialized one-make championship that runs alongside the Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS, customers will face off in 10 races across five circuits, using the exact same McLaren model. The two models designed for The McLaren Trophy, the Artura Trophy and 570S Trophy, have been built off some of our most successful GT racing model designs and are now unshackled from previous regulations in order to fully take advantage of McLaren technology. No more questions about superior engines or better designs. Just one supercar racing around the track and one team standing atop the podium.

But that begs the question, what models would our customers be driving in one of our races?

THE MODELS OF PERFECTION 

Just as a chef is nothing without their kitchen, a racer is nothing without their car. To ensure our customers get the complete McLaren Motorsport experience, we’ve engineered and iterated upon three models for the single purpose that has driven every McLaren driver since Bruce entered his first race at age 14 – the experience and thrill that comes from racing. 

The 570S GT4 is what happens when racing DNA and natural road talent meet. This supercar houses a twin turbocharged McLaren V8 engine that packs in enough power to have taken the top spot in over 200 races and 25 championships. Meanwhile, the immensely strong, feather-light carbon fiber chassis – the MonoCell II – provides a nearly impossible weight-to-power ratio while simultaneously delivering the ultimate levels of safety. And though the 570S GT4 is no longer in production, its legacy lives on today in the 570S Trophy, which adds an additional 110 horsepower and endurance brakes to ensure you go faster for longer.

The 720S GT3 is our first GT racing model designed and built completely in-house by McLaren Motorsport. For this latest evolution of the 720S, we pushed our engineers to improve upon an already established winner – and trust us, they did. With improved aerodynamic efficiency, improved stability and improved suspension, the 720S GT3 builds upon its predecessors, and forges ahead into the pole position of the GT3 international field.

The Artura GT4 – the newest addition to the McLaren Racing roster – takes the revolutionary new McLaren Artura road car and supercharges its performance. A lighter chassis, more user-friendly handling, greater durability and the addition of a twin-turbo v6 engine all add together to create an Artura that demands to be raced. The new high performance V6 powertrain alone provides more fuel efficiency and improved throttle response while cutting weight, so whereas the original Artura promises the pinnacle of hybrid supercars, the Artura GT4 promises the pinnacle of GT4 racing. The only thing missing: a McLaren driver to push it past the finish line. 

So are you ready to experience McLaren Motorsport firsthand? For additional information, please email the McLaren Motorsport directly [insert email]. You can also follow the McLaren Motorsport teams on Instagram [insert IG handle] to get updates on races, models and drivers. And be sure to stay tuned for additional updates on the McLaren Motorsport team’s 2023 season in future editions of the Kiwi Quarterly newsletter.