Mad Mike Whiddett celebrates a decade of bringing drifting to Goodwood with his most ambitious project yet: MadMac. Built in collaboration with Lanzante and O’Gara Coach, MadMac is a one-of-a-kind 745 kW rotary-powered McLaren drift hypercar.

The foundation for MadMac came from Dean Lanzante. He provided a heavily modified McLaren P1 GTR chassis, complete with an FIA-approved roll cage to ensure safety during sideways manoeuvres. This modified beast was then shipped across the globe to Mad Mike Motorsports in New Zealand for the next stage of the transformation.

With a tight deadline of 100 days looming before Goodwood, the pressure was on. The team made a significant departure from the car’s original powertrain. Out went the twin-turbo V8, and in came a custom-built, three-rotor billet 20B rotary engine – a signature touch for Mad Mike, known for his love of rotary power. To handle the surge in power, a bespoke transfer case was designed to connect the new engine with the factory-fit sequential gearbox.

Further modifications honed MadMac’s drift capabilities. These included custom uprights for optimized suspension geometry, a new steering rack for increased steering angle, and bespoke wheels for superior grip. A Haltech ECU and custom dashboard were installed to provide Mad Mike with full control over the beast, while a unique gaming-style gear shifter replaced the traditional GT3-style steering wheel paddles. For maximum drift control, a hydraulic handbrake was also added.

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The ultimate touch came from a trip to Japan. There, Mad Mike collaborated with legendary body kit designer Rocket Bunny to create a special widebody kit that accentuated the sculpted lines of the P1 GTR bodywork, giving MadMac an even more aggressive look.

“It is fair to say that MadMac is the biggest challenge I have set myself in terms of builds,” explained Mike. “The reveal of any project is always the most rewarding part, as it is an opportunity to step away from the overall build and we get to see what fans and the wider world think of our efforts. Goodwood is the number 1 event for me of the year, and we have revealed some of our best builds there over the years, but this one is extra special. A perfect way to celebrate 10 years of drifting at the Festival of Speed, and a very proud moment to honour my fellow New Zealander, Bruce McLaren.”

The official unveiling of MadMac took place this morning on July 11th at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it sported a special bespoke Red Bull livery. This is just the beginning of the story for MadMac. The one-of-a-kind machine will embark on a two-year world tour, pushing the boundaries of drifting and generating new content for fans around the globe. A dedicated documentary crew will be following MadMac on its travels, capturing every sideways moment and fan interaction for posterity.