米cLaren Celebrates 60th Anniversary With Spectacular Drifting Video

Sep. 04, 2023 11:41 AM ET byJarryd Neves Supercars /4 Comments

A pair of Arturas drifting in tandem is the perfect way to celebrate a milestone.

米cLaren is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and has decided to celebrate the milestone like any self-respecting supercar maker should: in a haze of tire smoke and engine noises.

In a new video, a pair of米claren Arturasupercars hit the track in spectacular fashion, pulling off choreographed drifts and tailslides. The hybrid performers slide around with poise and panache before the camera pans out to reveal the number 60, denoting the company's age.

The firm was founded in September 1963 by an engineer and race car designer, Bruce McLaren. Born in New Zealand in 1937, the talented McLaren made an impression in the racing world with numerous successes, including winning the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix.

A year later, the New Zealander would go on to found Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Ltd, which now operates under the McLaren name.

While his talent as a driver cannot be ignored, his legacy as a manager and engineer drove the McLaren Racing Team to its success. The company's strong performance in the Can-Am series is evidence of this. In the 1967 series, the McLaren Racing Team won 83% of the races it entered. Two years later, the team would go on to win all the races in the series.

In 1970, McLaren was tragically killed when the Can-Am car he was testing lost control and crashed. Following his death, the team he established has become a formidable opponent in Formula One circles. The team has an enviable legacy with eight Constructors' Championships and 12 Drivers' Championships.

However, it was only in 1985 that McLaren Cars was established. Seven years later, the automaker wouldrelease the inimitable McLaren F1, which blew its rivals out of the water with an incredible 240 mph top speed.

米cLaren Cars became McLaren Automotive in 2010, and a year later, the 12C arrived to take on the likes of the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo Performante. Since then, the Woking-based brand has delivered supercars that match the best the world can offer. Prime examples include the Senna, the Speedtail, and the P1.

The Artura shows us the directionin which McLaren is heading. The brand's second electrified vehicle uses a turbocharged hybrid V6 that produces 671 horsepower. Elsewhere, the brand celebrated its 60th anniversary byreviving an old F1 liveryfor the Silverstone Grand Prix earlier this year.