Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
The objective was simple and supremely fascinating: to drive McLarens on the 3.8-mile Las Vegas Strip Circuit for ten minutes, roughly three laps. As a race fan, it was the ultimate bucket list experience!
Literally after the first practice session of the VIP-focused Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix concluded, a group of 25 giddy McLaren owners and journalists met up under the lights and glamour of the Wynn Las Vegas as if we were members of a legendary Tokyo car club. After hearing from Nicolas Brown, President, The Americas at McLaren Automotive, during a driver’s briefing at the McLaren Experience Center at the Wynn, we were ready to engage with the British machinery like Speed Racers.
The 2,500-square-foot showroom located near the Wynn Plaza Shops has become a brand beacon for the iconic supercar company. Right after the announcements, the PR team handed me the keys to a McLaren Artura Spyder painted in Shibuya Spirit by MSO, which set the tone for my ecstatic evening.
The F1 practice session ended before 10 pm, which meant that the moment of truth had arrived. McLarens are born and bred on the track. Rightfully so, our procession was led by IndyCar Series pro driver Patricio O’Ward and his McLaren Artura Trophy Evo. The genesis of McLaren’s racing philosophy lies in its power-to-weight advantages. With a 60% motorsport formula, the specialized Artura Trophy Evo is engineered exclusively for the track.
Kimatni Rawlins and daughter Mika driving a Shibuya Spirit McLaren Artua Spyder
Also present was the immaculate Project VIVA by McLaren Special Operations (MSO). MSO is McLaren’s bespoke personalization division, crafting customer vehicles through an endless array of possibilities. Project Viva’s Sketch in Motion livery was designed to honor The City of Lights and captivated the imaginations of McLaren fans, enthusiasts, and potential customers. It also pays homage to McLaren’s illustrious racing heritage, consisting of 10 Constructors’ World Championship wins (including 2025), which McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finalized with their own hand-applied elements to the 10 championship racing stars in the rear.
Ready, set, go! I took off in electric mode on my hybrid Artura before switching to the gas motor to tackle the 17 high-speed turns and two DRS zones of the circuit. During the actual race, drivers will top 215 mph as they fight for position. My daughter Mika was in a state of bliss as she flew down the Las Vegas Strip, blowing past iconic landmarks, hotels, and casinos.
The Artura is constructed with super-lightweight materials, advanced driver-focused technologies, and inventive McLaren design and engineering techniques. Representing McLaren’s first series-production hybrid convertible, the Artura features a rear mid-mounted 3-liter twin-turbo V6, a 71 kW Axial Flux Motor (electric motor), and an 8-speed dual-clutch Seamless Shift Gearbox. Together, they produce 691-horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque, pushing the vehicle from 0 to 62 mph in 3 seconds. Top speed is a remarkable 205 mph.
With over 60 years of motorsports experience, McLaren’s competitive edge stems from the technical aptitude, skillful driving, and courageous spirit of founder Bruce McLaren, who was the modern-day Steph Curry behind the wheel. And yes, I definitely felt Bruce’s spirit during my lifetime performance. Bravo McLaren!
