Legendary Kiwi drifter Mad Mike Whiddett debuted his latest creation, the MADMAC McLaren P1, at the renowned Goodwood Festival of Speed. While Oracle Red Bull Racing introduced their cutting-edge RB17, Whiddett stole the spotlight, thrilling thousands of motorsport fans with breathtaking drifting performances in the custom-built McLaren P1.
The project is a collaboration between Mad Mike, Lanzante Motorsport, and O’Gara Coach Company. Built in Whiddett’s MADLAB workshop in Hampton Downs, New Zealand, the MADMAC also serves as a tribute to the late Bruce McLaren, the F1 legend and McLaren team founder, who tragically passed away at Goodwood.
This all started at the Goodwood Festival, where Whiddett met Lanzante and dreamed up the concept of transforming a McLaren P1 GTR into a drift car. Despite only having 100 days to complete the build, Whiddett and his mechanic, Alec Bell, turned a car designed for speed into a drifting machine capable of taking on any challenge.
The original 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine was replaced with a 1,000-horsepower, two-liter, triple-rotor, turbocharged rotary engine—an ideal choice for drifting, given its high-revving nature. The result was a tire-chomping, fire-breathing car that amazed spectators during its hill climb runs at Goodwood.
Unveiling the MADMAC at Goodwood marked another significant chapter in Whiddett’s drifting career, showcasing his fearless creativity and talent while delivering high-octane thrills that captivated fans around the world.
