Two McLaren MP4-12C GT3 cars successfully completed the 2012 Total 24 Hours of Spa, braving the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit on harsh weather conditions. McLaren GT customer teams competing at the main event of the Blancpain Endurance Series fielded nine examples of the MP4-12C GT3, all of which performed well until severe conditions forced seven units to retire before completing the event. The #88 MP4-12C GT3, run by Von Ryan Racing and driven by Alvaro Parente, Rob Barff, Roger Wills and Chris Goodwin, was P9 overall while finishing an impressive fourth in the Pro-Am class. The #66 blue-and-black MP4-12C GT3, also run by Von Ryan Racing but driven by Julian Draper, Matt Draper, Stephen Jelley and Stef Dusseldorp finished the race after 24 hours at P30 place overall.
Each of the nine participating MP4-12C GT3s showed a solid performance throughout the qualifying sessions, with five cars in the top 20 for the start of the race. The #88 car was the top-qualifying McLaren, claiming pole position in the Pro-Am class, and 3rd overall. The opening stint was featured by the #9 Gulf Racing UK car driven by McLaren ‘works’ driver Rob Bell.
Despite a good pace in the free practice sessions, the #9 car ended up in P51 after the qualifying phase. Bell, however, managed to secure the 7th position by the end of his double stint. The Belgian Boutsen-Ginion Racing team wowed the home crowd with two cars, with its #5 orange-and-black MP4-12C GT3 becoming the front-running McLaren, leading the Pro-Am class, and in P5 overall.
