Flemke - Is this your McLaren? (Vol 5)

[Chicane-UK]

One thing that I love reading the many incarnations of this thread has been the relationship you have as an F1 owner (and I guess P1, etc) with McLaren. Short of a lottery win I'll never be in a position to buy anything more than a mass produced box, so will never get to experience it for myself, but it is really fun to read about and an interesting glimpse into another life. Certainly this kind of relationship is as much what appeals of owning a car like a McLaren F1/P1 as much as owning the car itself - though I should imagine the cars are OK too

I'm curious to know as such a customer, what sorts of access do you get to the company and the important people associated with it? Presume you got to see and test out the P1 in development (as as potential customer) and so forth?

I'm sure it's a similar experience for Pagani, Koenigsegg and similar type customers too in all fairness.

Edited by Chicane-UK on Thursday 1st October 13:01

[flemke]

Chicane-UK said:

One thing that I love reading the many incarnations of this thread has been the relationship you have as an F1 owner (and I guess P1, etc) with McLaren. Short of a lottery win I'll never be in a position to buy anything more than a mass produced box, so will never get to experience it for myself, but it is really fun to read about and an interesting glimpse into another life. Certainly this kind of relationship is as much what appeals of owning a car like a McLaren F1/P1 as much as owning the car itself - though I should imagine the cars are OK too

I'm curious to know as such a customer, what sorts of access do you get to the company and the important people associated with it? Presume you got to see and test out the P1 in development (as as potential customer) and so forth?

I'm sure it's a similar experience for Pagani, Koenigsegg and similar type customers too in all fairness.

I have been lucky to enjoy a quite good relationship with the factory. I think that is partly because I've been their customer for almost 15 years; I live fairly close to their premises and with regard to my car I have been involved in a lot of McLaren "stuff". The result is that, as they remarked the last time I was down there, they have probably had more interaction with me than with any other owner. It's just a guess but I think in the last 15 years I have been to either MTC or MSO and their predecessor sites maybe 60 times; so far this year I think about 8-9 times.
I also try to be loyal to them. When they tell me things confidentially I keep them confidential, and I don't pressurise them to get something done for me asap. The last thing they need is another self-important owner telling them that he simply has to have this or that thing done for him - today.
My friends at the factory have helped me out in a number of ways, and I have tried to help them out.
There has never been anyone at McLaren whom I have wanted to see whom I could not see, although I think the only times when I ask to see or be introduced to Mr X or Y are on behalf of other people who have asked for a favour.
I have never met Ron, but that is fine because I have nothing in particular to say to him, nothing to ask him, and he's a busy guy. I spend lots of time talking with technicians and "normal" people down there, I like and respect them, and as far as I am concerned they are the important people of McLaren.

[LHRFlightman]

flemke said:

I have been lucky to enjoy a quite good relationship with the factory. I think that is partly because I've been their customer for almost 15 years; I live fairly close to their premises and with regard to my car I have been involved in a lot of McLaren "stuff". The result is that, as they remarked the last time I was down there, they have probably had more interaction with me than with any other owner. It's just a guess but I think in the last 15 years I have been to either MTC or MSO and their predecessor sites maybe 60 times; so far this year I think about 8-9 times.
I also try to be loyal to them. When they tell me things confidentially I keep them confidential, and I don't pressurise them to get something done for me asap. The last thing they need is another self-important owner telling them that he simply has to have this or that thing done for him - today.
My friends at the factory have helped me out in a number of ways, and I have tried to help them out.
There has never been anyone at McLaren whom I have wanted to see whom I could not see, although I think the only times when I ask to see or be introduced to Mr X or Y are on behalf of other people who have asked for a favour.
I have never met Ron, but that is fine because I have nothing in particular to say to him, nothing to ask him, and he's a busy guy. I spend lots of time talking with technicians and "normal" people down there, I like and respect them, and as far as I am concerned they are the important people of McLaren.

I' just love coming back to this thread, and reading your posts and insights Flemke.

I've never met you, knowingly anyway, and probably never will, but just wanted to say you come across as a real Gentleman which is so rare nowadays.

Good luck to you Sir.

[chriskay]

LHRFlightman said:

I just love coming back to this thread, and reading your posts and insights Flemke.

I've never met you, knowingly anyway, and probably never will, but just wanted to say you come across as a real Gentleman which is so rare nowadays.

Good luck to you Sir.

Well, I have met him and the way he comes across to you is the way he is; a gentleman: clever but very private. I still value my brief contacts with him. This is the only thread on PH which I follow.

[Storer]

flemke said:

I have been lucky to enjoy a quite good relationship with the factory. I think that is partly because I've been their customer for almost 15 years; I live fairly close to their premises and with regard to my car I have been involved in a lot of McLaren "stuff". The result is that, as they remarked the last time I was down there, they have probably had more interaction with me than with any other owner. It's just a guess but I think in the last 15 years I have been to either MTC or MSO and their predecessor sites maybe 60 times; so far this year I think about 8-9 times.
I also try to be loyal to them. When they tell me things confidentially I keep them confidential, and I don't pressurise them to get something done for me asap. The last thing they need is another self-important owner telling them that he simply has to have this or that thing done for him - today.
My friends at the factory have helped me out in a number of ways, and I have tried to help them out.
There has never been anyone at McLaren whom I have wanted to see whom I could not see, although I think the only times when I ask to see or be introduced to Mr X or Y are on behalf of other people who have asked for a favour.
I have never met Ron, but that is fine because I have nothing in particular to say to him, nothing to ask him, and he's a busy guy. I spend lots of time talking with technicians and "normal" people down there, I like and respect them, and as far as I am concerned they are the important people of McLaren.

You, sir, are a man after my own heart.
I too have a good relationship with the Ultima factory and team there. The two companies are at opposite ends of car production in terms of scale and probably technology. However, having the opportunity to talk to the people who develop and build your car is something the average car buyer never has.
My car, like yours, is not Factory standard, combining my own modifications and those I have purchased from another specialist on modifications to the marque. But the Factory are still happy to assist with questions or issues.
I make a point of supporting events they hold and as I do a relatively high mileage I also work with them to improve components that fail before they should.
A win-win situation.

Paul

[Chicane-UK]

Really interesting answer to my statement / semi question. Really appreciate you taking the time flemke.

I have enjoyed being able to build similar relationships with a couple of small businesses over the years who've looked after my cars and it's a good feeling to be loyal to them, help them out when you can, and be rewarded for it.. so I can only imagine what it's like to have that kind of access with a company like McLaren. I think I'd find that very much an integral part of the whole experience of owning one of their cars.

Anyway. Thanks again!

[flemke]

LHRFlightman said:

I' just love coming back to this thread, and reading your posts and insights Flemke.

I've never met you, knowingly anyway, and probably never will, but just wanted to say you come across as a real Gentleman which is so rare nowadays.

Good luck to you Sir.

I must quote you before you think better of what you've written and delete it!

Cheers.

[flemke]

chriskay said:

Well, I have met him and the way he comes across to you is the way he is; a gentleman: clever but very private. I still value my brief contacts with him. This is the only thread on PH which I follow.

Mr Kay, thank you for your comment, although I fear that it is kinder than it is accurate.

I hope that we shall meet again, more likely in Shropshire than in Rheinland-Pfalz.

Cheers.

[flemke]

Storer said:

You, sir, are a man after my own heart.
I too have a good relationship with the Ultima factory and team there. The two companies are at opposite ends of car production in terms of scale and probably technology. However, having the opportunity to talk to the people who develop and build your car is something the average car buyer never has.
My car, like yours, is not Factory standard, combining my own modifications and those I have purchased from another specialist on modifications to the marque. But the Factory are still happy to assist with questions or issues.
I make a point of supporting events they hold and as I do a relatively high mileage I also work with them to improve components that fail before they should.
A win-win situation.

Paul

Sounds good to me.

Several years ago I visited the Ultima factory and test-drove one of their cars. It was impressive, and I might well have bought one if I had not had the F1 already.

[flemke]

Chicane-UK said:

Really interesting answer to my statement / semi question. Really appreciate you taking the time flemke.

I have enjoyed being able to build similar relationships with a couple of small businesses over the years who've looked after my cars and it's a good feeling to be loyal to them, help them out when you can, and be rewarded for it.. so I can only imagine what it's like to have that kind of access with a company like McLaren. I think I'd find that very much an integral part of the whole experience of owning one of their cars.

Anyway. Thanks again!

My pleasure.

[Jimmy Recard]

flemke said:

Mr Kay, thank you for your comment, although I fear that it is kinder than it is accurate.

I hope that we shall meet again, more likely in Shropshire than in Rheinland-Pfalz.

Cheers.

Shropshire?

You'll have to drop by!

[Accelebrate]

flemke said:

How the plate made its way from the brown car to the Harrods car, I have no idea, although the next time I'm talking w the factory I'll try to remember to ask. The owner until recently of the Harrods car had his fingers in quite a few F1 deals, so I suspect that is part of the explanation.

Thank you

[Adrian E]

Anyone know any info on the Lark F1 at Goodwood Breakfast Club on Sunday? Spotted it on the way into breakfast with my 5 year old son and it'd gone by the time we'd got round the paddocks and back up the straight. Didn't appear to have plates, but guessing they may have been covered up if the car was driven to the circuit.

From what I can identify there are 3 Lark GTRs?

[michael243]

Adrian E said:

Anyone know any info on the Lark F1 at Goodwood Breakfast Club on Sunday? Spotted it on the way into breakfast with my 5 year old son and it'd gone by the time we'd got round the paddocks and back up the straight. Didn't appear to have plates, but guessing they may have been covered up if the car was driven to the circuit.

From what I can identify there are 3 Lark GTRs?

This is the owners Twitter

https://twitter.com/andy74b

M1 GTR looks to be the plate

[V8FGO]

Regarding the Brown car, now I'm really confused.

Taken at 2014 Owners Meeting in Italy.



Are they the same chassis ??


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpfXpI7eI9w&in...

[flemke]

V8FGO said:

Regarding the Brown car, now I'm really confused.

Taken at 2014 Owners Meeting in Italy.



Are they the same chassis ??


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpfXpI7eI9w&in...

No, they are not the same chassis.

[Muzzer79]

Adrian E said:

Anyone know any info on the Lark F1 at Goodwood Breakfast Club on Sunday? Spotted it on the way into breakfast with my 5 year old son and it'd gone by the time we'd got round the paddocks and back up the straight. Didn't appear to have plates, but guessing they may have been covered up if the car was driven to the circuit.

From what I can identify there are 3 Lark GTRs?

Andy74b, here on Pistonheads.

[Storer]

That rear wing has some serious angle on it. The car must have a massive front splitter to maintain the balance.

Paul

[flemke]

Storer said:

That rear wing has some serious angle on it. The car must have a massive front splitter to maintain the balance.

Paul

Or an owner who thought it would look cool.

[Storer]

flemke said:

Storer said:

That rear wing has some serious angle on it. The car must have a massive front splitter to maintain the balance.

Paul

Or an owner who thought it would look cool.

As if any modification could make an F1 look any cooler!


Paul