McMurtry EV smashes Hockenheim lap record

IF YOU have a lazy $A1.7 million at your disposal… and the talent, you could buy the McMurtry Spéirling Pure fan car and potentially clock record breaking lap times on Germany’s (in)famous Hockenheimring F1 racetrack.

An example of the electric “hyper race car” with fan assisted downforce smashed the circuit’s lap record for close-wheeled vehicles on June 8 driven by former-F1 driver Max Chilton in preparation for an attack on the UK’s Goodwood hill climb as part of the Festival of Speed next month (July 11-14). Chilton is the current record holder at Goodwood FOS.

Not only did the diminutive hand-built EV smash the closed wheel lap record, it did so running at 75 per cent power and 75 per cent downforce, stopping the clock at 1:24.43 the record achieved at car dealer Dörr Group’s track day at Hockenheimring.

The time places the McMurtry 3.9s faster than the fastest ever DTM qualifying in 2020 and 14.1 seconds quicker than the production car record set by the track-focused Mercedes-AMG One hyper car achieved in 2022.

The combined testing and demonstration event marked McMurtry’s European dynamic debut at one of Europe’s biggest single dealer track days.

The British specialist engineering company is pushing the systems on its car currently to about 75 per cent of maximum as each mode is verified at new circuits and in different climates.

“Further record attempts will be made throughout the world in 2024 and 2025, as the test and validation program moves towards the 100 per cent power and 100 per cent downforce settings,” it said in a statement.

At the June 8 event, the McMurtry Spéirling Pure (Validation Prototype 1) fan car was presented to track-driving customers at the circuit the car showcased in both shared and exclusive sessions during the Dörr Group track day. The shared sessions involved other track-focused and race cars.

Two dedicated McMurtry sessions highlighted to guests the fan car's performance without interruption utilising a laser lap timer on the start-finish straight for accuracy the record verified by independent time-keepers.

The vehicle is what McMurtry calls a hyper-track car that is available for order worldwide and utilises a specially developed downforce-on-demand system to provide exceptional downforce and grip right from standstill.

This system works alongside the 1000hp (745kW) electric powertrain, offering selectable performance drive modes from GT3 to F1-level pace.

After the runs, test driver Max Chilton said, “showcasing the car at busy track events is always special as you can feel the atmosphere and excitement driving the car through famous bends at Hockenheim, experiencing sensations similar to when I raced here in F1 10 years ago.”

“The McMurtry Speirling Pure is a great way for track drivers to experience the same thing,” he added.

Thomas Yates, Managing Director of McMurtry Automotive, said guests at the Dörr Group track day were intrigued to learn about the story behind fan cars and the future for track drivers who own them.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the organisers and the circuit for hosting the event allowing us to achieve another record that is a significant milestone for McMurty’s team and customers to be proud of,” he said.