Iconic Kiwi drifter Mad Mike Whiddett took the spotlight at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed, unveiling his latest creation: the MADMAC McLaren P1. While Oracle Red Bull Racing showcased their futuristic RB17, it was Whiddett who truly stole the show, leaving the crowd in awe with his jaw-dropping drifting stunts in the custom-built McLaren P1.
The MADMAC project is the result of a collaboration between Whiddett, Lanzante Motorsport, and O’Gara Coach Company. Crafted in Whiddett’s own MADLAB workshop in Hampton Downs, New Zealand, this car is more than just a powerhouse on wheels; it’s a tribute to Bruce McLaren, the F1 legend and founder of McLaren, who tragically passed away at Goodwood.
The idea for the MADMAC was sparked at the Goodwood Festival, where Whiddett teamed up with Lanzante to transform a McLaren P1 GTR into a drift car. With just 100 days to pull off the impossible, Whiddett and his mechanic, Alec Bell, worked tirelessly to turn a car built for blistering speed into a drift-ready beast.
Out went the original 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, and in came a 1,000-horsepower, two-liter, triple-rotor turbocharged rotary engine—perfectly suited to drifting with its lightning-fast revs. The result? A tire-scorching, flame-spitting machine that delivered a thrilling performance during its hill climb runs, leaving the crowd at Goodwood absolutely mesmerized.
Unveiling the MADMAC was not just a milestone for Whiddett’s drifting career but also a showcase of his unrelenting creativity, skill, and passion for motorsport. It was a high-octane spectacle that captured the imagination of fans around the globe.
Check out the insane building process below.
