Teaming with CRS Racing, McLaren will return to GT racing in 2012. They will be testing the new GT3 racer on a limited basis in the 2011 season and begin supplying the car to European-based private racing efforts the following year.

The race car will, of course, be based on the MP4-12C which is already using a carbon MonoCell and was designed with downforce and limited drag in mind. The street engine is a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 making 600 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque.

"The 12C's structure and design was always aimed at high-performance and assist of maintenance – two key criteria for potential customers. Combine that with the vast amount of racing experience in our automotive team, and CRS Racing's specialist development experience, and the 12C GT3 should be an exciting proposition for the top teams planning to race in GT3 from 2012." said Martin Whitmarsh, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team Principal.

CRS Racing is involved in FIA GT, British GT championship and the Le Mans series.

Just for fun, here's a clip of a McLaren F1 GT from 1995.