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When McLaren Philadelphia achieved the highest MSO aftersales numbers in its region and clinched a trip to Pure McLaren at The Thermal Club for one representative, I assumed it would be just another weekend at the track for me. After all, this had simply become my normal life after a summer of IMSA, GT4 America and a little historic racing mixed in. My initial thought was, “cool, The Thermal Club looks pretty nice for photos.”

 

Well, I definitely wasn’t wrong. But this time, the experience was for more than just a photo gallery.

With technology and regulations shifting at a rapid pace, it’s difficult for storied brands to stick to what they’ve been successful with for decades. Transitioning market demands for the 21st century have drastically reimagined the landscape of performance motoring, and some brands have abandoned tradition altogether.

 

But McLaren’s history is much too rich to leave it in a time capsule never to be opened again.

With a GTLM Manufacturers’ Championship on the horizon, and anguishing disappointment from August of 2018 in the rear-view, Porsche’s GT team attacked Virginia International Raceway on a mission. The objective was clear: either capture the championship as early as it could, or at least build on the cushion between them and Ford and Corvette.