Happenings

On The Ground: McLaren Track Day 2024

BY Sean Loo

What do you do when you have the entire Sepang circuit to yourself? You blast around in a McLaren, of course.

Whenever one talks about a true track experience, images of unbridled speed, eye-widening corners, and the sheer joy of pushing limits come to mind.

Imagine having all this without a single civilian car in sight, no speed limits to curtail your fun, and the luxury of wide corners all to yourself.

Now, take that and add the allure of McLaren's latest engineering marvel - the sleek, robust, and astonishingly potent 750S.

So, when an invitation was extended to test drive McLaren's array of supercars, including the new 750S, it was a no-brainer. Next thing I knew, I was on a 4:00 am flight to Kuala Lumpur.

McLaren is synonymous with speed, but the 750S is power redefined.

Building on the formidable foundations of the 720S, this beast introduces enhancements in power, aerodynamics, and weight reduction, achieving a staggering 740bhp (or 750ps, true to its name) and 800Nm of torque from its twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine.

Weighing in at only 1,389kg, the 750S rocks the century sprint in a mere 2.8 seconds, hitting 200km/h in just 7.2 seconds, with the potential to soar to a top speed of 332km/h - if you dare.

Yet, McLaren’s mastery is not just about the breathtaking speed.

It’s the way the 750S handles - the precision of its steering, and the intelligence of its suspension system transforms it from a fast car to a remarkable driving experience.

On the racetrack, this translates to an exhilarating dance along the edge of physics, where every steering input and throttle adjustment is met with an immediate and precise response.

5,544m-long racetrack, check. Incredibly fast car, check. Empty bladder, check.

With sprawling straights and challenging bends, Sepang is the perfect playground for the 750S.

Here, you can unleash the 750S to speeds over 250km/h, and reel it in with its formidable carbon ceramic brakes as you approach the bends.

Navigating technical corners becomes second nature in the 750S.

Its agility and balance, particularly under heavy braking, make it a champion of the track, obedient to every command, yet always reminding you of its raw power and the need to handle it with respect.

It interacts, pushing you to sharpen your skills with every lap.

Driving the 750S truly reveals the true extent of its capabilities, which remain largely untapped on regular roads.

It’s a machine that begs for the rigours of a racetrack, where its spirit and engineering can truly shine.

During this event, not only did the 750S leave an indelible mark, but so did its siblings - the Artura and GT.

This day on the track was more than enough proof that each car, whether designed for the track, grand touring, or as a hybrid performance supercar, confirmed that McLaren’s commitment to track-ready joy is uncompromised.

If I have to wake up at an ungodly hour again to catch a flight, you best believe it will be to get behind the wheel of a McLaren again.