The OH VOA visits RLL *pics*

[Schen]

So let me start off by saying I have been waiting to visit this place for weeks! Maybe months.

See, about 25 days or so ago I was at NYIAS and was hoping that McLaren would show up to the auto show with something special. They did. I saw my first McLaren F1, the 96' XP GT LongTail. That unexpected surprise is one of three ever made and the experimental to the other two which are in the hands of private collectors. But more on that later.

So what is RLL? Well that's short for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, home to the BMW Z4 GTLM race team. We were treated to an amazing tour along with our resident retired Chrysler engineers Herb Helbig and Mike Stephens who probably asked the most questions of all of us. (It's an engineer thing right?) The shop, like most professional race shops is squeaky clean. Just look at it!



While mostly everyone was still up front, I was treated to a little alone time in the shop to get some nice shots of the race cars. By the way, I literally landed in Columbus two hours before this started. That was just the start to an epic weekend.






A little fact, the headlights on the Z4 are carbon fiber. They also feature lasers, yes I said lasers. Not halogens, not HIDs, LASERS. In other words, for the pair, not even a brand new gen IV motor would be enough to cover the bill. After that we all headed over to the transport room. A big hauler, wheels EVERYWHERE, suits and extra parts are all stocked in this room AND they all fit in that truck.




Next up was the main shop area and historic's building. There was some neat stuff in here for sure, but out of respect I've limited to what you see here minus all the technical bits and what not. After all someone has to beat up Corvette right? Anyway, I salivated over this rack of carbon fiber wrapping paper. I would totally wrap all my presents in the stuff. We also got to feel what a carbon panel felt like and there was a neat display of signs hanging above us.





FINALLY! The moment I had been waiting for arrived, the historic room! This room for me was literally, to put it bluntly, full of car porn. I'm talking stuff you don't get to see everyday, maybe not at all! To see them all in one room was something else. From an historic turbo Indy car being rebuilt on a lift, to old LMP cars, followed by the holy grail of super cars I didn't want to leave the place.

The #18 1986 March 86G BMW GTP


The #2 1979 BMW M1 Procar


The #2 1999 BMW V12 LMR


and last but not least, the coup de grâce of LeMans overall in 95' and the GT1 class of 96', the #39 1996 McLaren F1 GTR, #017R.


Like I said at the beginning of this thread, this car I knew about. I knew I was going to see this car. The one at NYIAS was a total surprise and although it was great to stare at that one, this one means a little more since we were much more engaged to ask questions about it.

Seriously, look at Herb. Both of us are pretty much ready to go and hop in the middle.






I wanted so, SO badly to just take one photo of me actually in the car, but alas no luck. I've sat in a lot of cars over the years, the McLaren is at the top of that list but it'll have to wait another day. One final look back at my 2nd McLaren F1 and then we all said goodbye.



Tomorrow, I've got more stuff from the weekend to post. Like how I randomly ended up driving a Rolls Royce, the Wayne's World Pacer and the Ultimate Viper Party!

--RS

[GreenVenom]

Nice Pictures!! Thanks for sharing

[J TNT]

Great pics ! The Tour guide was a wealth of information and very personable !!!

[daytonprowler]

Wonderful pics!

[Mopar Boy]

You have mad skills when it comes to cameras Ron! Unreal!!

Was nice seeing you again too! Hope your travels back went well!