McLAREN F1 GTR LONGTAIL #42: LE MANS 1997

Few cars capture the imagination of motorsport fans quite like the McLaren F1 GTR Longtail, and among them, chassis #42 from the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans stands as an icon of speed, engineering, and drama. A machine built for endurance, piloted by legends, yet fated to a heartbreaking retirement—this is the story of one of McLaren’s most memorable endurance racers.

By 1997, the McLaren F1 GTR had already cemented its status as a dominant force in endurance racing. However, rule changes meant McLaren needed to evolve, giving birth to the Longtail variant. This version featured a significantly extended rear bodywork to enhance aerodynamic efficiency, better high-speed stability, and improved downforce. It retained the raw power of its BMW S70/2 6.1L V12 engine, capable of producing around 600bhp, but was further refined for the grueling challenge of Le Mans.

Mine’s inspired Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R

During a recent visit to the Pace Museum in Dortmund, I stumbled upon an extraordinary exhibit: the personal collection of Jean-Pierre Kraemer, better known as JP. If you’ve ever delved into the world of automotive tuning, you’ll recognize JP as one of Europe’s most charismatic car enthusiasts. But here’s the kicker—in one of his latest videos, JP casually revealed that his collection now boasts a staggering 105 cars. So more than enough cars to fill his personal museum.

It’s not just the quantity that’s jaw-dropping; it’s the quality and diversity. This isn’t your stereotypical supercar hoard with endless rows of Lamborghinis and Ferraris. No, JP’s collection is a reflection of his unique automotive vision. You’ll find everything from a Renault Twingo with a Yamaha R1 engine strapped in the back to a classic Lamborghini Diablo. It’s a gearhead’s dream come to life.

Every car in the collection has been treated to JP Performance signature modifications, blending performance with personal flair. One standout is his Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, which he personally imported from Japan. JP’s mission? To create his own interpretation of the legendary Mine’s R34, a car famous for tearing up Japan’s Tsukuba Circuit with a blistering lap time of 57.7 seconds. Keep in mind, that record was set in 2005, and even today, any sub-minute time on Tsukuba is a serious achievement.

In the category trash one and keep one

As I strolled back to my car from the Risenation event in Mechelen, Belgium, I stumbled upon this combo. Instantly, my mind starts racing, pondering which car I’d most love to take home. Now, this decision wasn’t as straightforward for me as you might think. I have a soft spot for youngtimers, and this Toyota Supra JZA80 certainly falls into that category. But then again, a Nissan R35 GTR in what appears to be Millenium Jade might just be the smarter choice for a daily driver.

Speaking of the color of the R35 GTR, it got me thinking – could it possibly be a T-Spec? After all, they do come in this color. But I digress; we were discussing which one I’d choose. I reckon I’d have gone with the Nissan to take home. How about you? Which one would you pick?

Teach them young…

While shooting cars in public locations there is a big chance you get disturbed by curious people. The kids in this shot heard the Nissan Skyline R33 GTR from miles away, when we arrived at the location they were already waiting. Because they knew this was a popular shooting location. They were really interested in the car and already knew a lot about it, probably from video games they played.

In stead of sending them away I let them shoot the car with their cellphones. We need the next generations to keep enjoying our hobby. I will always make time during a shoot for people who are genuinely interested in the subject, so should you!