McMurtry Spéirling Dominates at Laguna Seca Reverse Corkscrew Hillclimb: Breaks Records with Revolutionary Electric Fan Technology
The McMurtry Spéirling, a trailblazing electric fan car, shattered two records and sustained its flawless competition track record at the Laguna Seca Reverse Corkscrew Hillclimb on Sunday, 11 August.
The same driver and hyper-track car combination, featuring Max Chilton, a former F1 and Indycar driver, also holds the prestigious record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Chilton expertly navigated the two-day event during the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion.
This event marked McMurtry's dynamic US debut, thrilling numerous McMurtry customers eager to test drive the prototypes displayed throughout car week.
Chilton and the McMurtry Spéirling first demolished the longstanding record of the hill climb's more extended layout, previously set by a 1976 Lotus Type 77 Formula One Car. They clocked a remarkable 28.6 seconds, leveraging the McMurtry's unique fan downforce system and the electric powertrain's instant torque to slash six seconds off the old record.
Moreover, the McMurtry Spéirling established a fresh record on the newly revised shorter layout for 2024, posting a lightning-fast 21.958 seconds in the top 3 shootout, outpacing competitors including a 1967 Ford Falcon race car and a 2022 Ferrari SF90.
Over the coming weeks, McMurtry will focus on private customer test drives and public showcases at several key events:
Motorlux party at the Monterey Jet Centre on Wednesday, 14 August, from 17:00-22:00.
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, is on Friday, 16 August, from 9:00-16:00.
Demo laps on Laguna Seca's Full Circuit, Saturday, 17 August, from 11:50-12:00.
L'Auberge Carmel on Sunday, 18 August from 9:00-22:00.
The Reverse Corkscrew Hillclimb uniquely challenges drivers with its reversed iconic corners, offering a distinct spectacle reminiscent of the Goodwood Festival's variety and excitement.
Thanks to its onboard fans, the McMurtry Spéirling achieves an astonishing 4,400 pounds of downforce from a standstill, significantly enhancing its dynamic performance. Advanced P50B battery cells enable 20 minutes of GT3-paced track running followed by a quick 20-minute recharge, illustrating the vehicle's superior capabilities.
Max Chilton commented on the thrill of competing in and setting a record at the Laguna Seca Hillclimb, particularly managing the challenging reverse and unsighted Corkscrew exit.
The new McMurtry Spéirling PURE, now available for order, builds upon this innovative platform with adjustable performance drive modes that match GT3 to F1 and Indycar speeds.
The following demo at Laguna Seca during the Monterey Motorsports Reunion is set for Saturday, 17 August, with McMurtry's Managing Director Thomas Yates and historic racer Philip Kadoorie behind the wheel, proving this high-performance remains accessible to passionate drivers.
Thomas Yates expressed his delight at introducing the cars in motion on US soil for the first time and promised more exciting McMurtry US showcases in the future.
