McLaren Celebrates The 40th Anniversary of Its First Win At the Indianapolis 500

NEW YORK (MAY 10, 2012) On May 27, 1972, McLaren claimed its first victory at the ‘famed’ Indianapolis 500 with Mark Donohue behind the wheel of the number 66 Sunoco-Penske.  To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its first win at Indianapolis, McLaren will participate in the second annual Celebration of Automobiles on May 12, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield.  
With support from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, the display will feature the 1972 winning Indy car, McLaren M16B.  The dichotomy of old and new and constant innovation will be illustrated with examples of the 2012 McLaren 12C and rolling chassis. 

“McLaren has a long and rich history in racing, especially in North America,” explained Tony Joseph, Director, McLaren Automotive, Inc. “We couldn’t be more proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of McLaren’s first win at Indy within the same year we launch McLaren Automotive, our own dealer network and our first model, the MP4-12C. 

“The McLaren M16B was designed by Gordon Coppuck and had innovative and front and rear wing design for its time. Even looking back 40 years ago, it offers great examples of McLaren’s ongoing strive for technological innovation and to be the best in everything it does,” said Joseph.   

Featuring an Offenhauser 4-cylinder turbo engine, 700-750 bhp, and a Hewland LG 500 4-speed transmission, team owner Roger Penske ran two cars – one for Donohue and the other for Gary Bettenhausen. In the end, Donohue led the last 13 laps of the race and earned his place in history as well as Penske’s first victory at the 500. 

McLaren went on that year to become the only team in history to ever win at Indianapolis, in Formula 1 and 2 and in Can-Am in the same year.  In addition, McLaren saw the checkered flag two more times at the Indianapolis 500 in 1974 and 1976 with driver Johnny Rutherford.

“Following three years of its legendary domination of the Can-Am series, it was of little surprise when Team McLaren's 1970 debut at Indianapolis began with the track opening for practice on May 1 and all three team cars promptly going out, nose-to-tail in a stunning show of readiness,” said Donald Davidson, Indianapolis Motor Speedway historian. “They didn't win that year, but with a markedly different design in 1971, Peter Revson sat on the pole and finished second. With a Penske-entered McLaren winning in 1972 with Mark Donohue; McLaren's own Johnny Rutherford capturing two poles and two races between 1973 and 1976, and Penske's Tom Sneva coming along in 1977 to turn the Speedway's first ever 200 mph lap, it seemed like EVERYBODY had to have a McLaren.”

McLaren MP4-12C MSO (McLaren Special Operations)

Sleek? Stunning? Stealth? We can't find the word for it either.

This one-of-a-kind 2012 McLaren MP4-12C, outfitted in Carbon Black with McLaren Orange accents is truly a sight to be seen.  Ordered by our expert staff here at McLaren Tampa Bay, this one dresses to impress.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Exterior Special Paint - Carbon Black
Carbon Fiber Splitter
Carbon Fiber Exterior Mirror Casings
Sport Exhaust
Stealth Pack
Cast Iron Brakes - McLaren Orange Calipers
Leather Sport Interior
Carbon Fiber Interior Upgrade
Carbon Fiber Sill Panels
Premium Meridian Surround Sound Package
McLaren Branded Floor Mat Set

ADDITIONAL BY McLAREN SPECIAL OPERATIONS (MSO):
MSO Wheel Finish - Diamond Cut
MSO Steering Wheel - Carbon Fibre
MSO Carbon Pack consisting of:
- Carbon Fiber Engine Cover Vents
- Carbon Fiber Rear Deck Vent
- Wiper System Cover - Carbon Fiber

Contact RICH ALFONSO at (727) 824-8500 or email ralfonso@dimmitt.com for additional information.

The 2013 Cadillac XTS shows off at the PGA Cadillac Championship

By Patrick Rall

The 2013 Cadillac XTS will serve as the flagship General Motors luxury sedan, effectively replacing the DTS and STS and to show the cargo carrying capabilities of the new full sized sedan, the company announced that the new XTS can hold four full sized golf bags and four adults in the pinnacle of American luxury.

When the folks at General Motors were designing the new Cadillac XTS, they studied the wants and needs of luxury sedan buyers and the common key was cargo space.

“We used computer simulations to model golf bags, as well as other common types of goods our customers are likely to transport,” said XTS chief engineer Sheri Hickok. “That also includes cases of bottled water, luggage, groceries and more. Just as we did with the rest of the XTS, we spent a lot of time maximizing every inch of storage space.”

The Cadillac engineers found that golf clubs were a common fixture among luxury car owners and since golf is often played in fours – GM made sure that a foursome could ride in style to the golf course with their golf clubs tucked away in the trunk. Many luxury sedans will fit four adults comfortably or fit four golf bags with the seats folded down but using the interior compartment for additional cargo space obviously cuts down on the number of adults who can be seated in the car. The XTS combines 40 inches of rear leg room with a whopping 18 cubic feet of trunk space – more room for golf bags than you will find in the Audi A8L (long wheelbase), the BMW 7 Series or the Mercedes Benz S-Class according to GM.

“Our owners want to comfortably take four adults out for a round of golf and dinner afterwards,” said Hickok. “The challenge was to give customers what they expect in terms of interior spaciousness, comfort and luxury, but to do so without compromising exterior looks and handling dynamics.”

To show off how easily the 2013 Cadillac XTS would accommodate 4 large golf bags in the trunk, GM took a new XTS to the Cadillac Championship golf tournament this past weekend at Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami, Florida. The good people at Callaway Golf provided four flashy new bags and sets of clubs while Doral golf sales manager Ryan Hershberger loaded them in without any need to force or wedge them into the trunk. “For a sedan, the room was really impressive,” Hershberger said. “It’s really convenient to fit four sets of clubs like that with no force or wedging necessary.”

It is no secret that luxury cars are a mainstay in the parking lot of golf courses around the United States so it could serve as a great marketing tool to show golfers that the new 2013 Cadillac XTS will fit three friends and their golf bags when a new buyer wants to take his buddies out for a round of golf.
Check out the video below, showing the simplicity of unloading 4 golf bags into the new Cadillac XTS!