race – Engine Icon https://engineicon.com Latest car news and advice blog Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:07:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://engineicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-ME_favicon-1-32x32.png race – Engine Icon https://engineicon.com 32 32 Someone Crashed a McLaren GT, So Why Not Buy the Carbon Fiber Shell and Turn It Into a Race Car Bed? https://engineicon.com/someone-crashed-a-mclaren-gt-so-why-not-buy-the-carbon-fiber-shell-and-turn-it-into-a-race-car-bed/ Sat, 13 Jun 2026 14:31:49 +0000 https://engineicon.com/someone-crashed-a-mclaren-gt-so-why-not-buy-the-carbon-fiber-shell-and-turn-it-into-a-race-car-bed/

McLaren’s supercars are so good in part because they have good bones. The road-car arm of the reigning F1 constructors’ champion builds all of its cars off carbon-fiber monocoques, to which engines, suspension, and body panels are attached, race-car style. Even by itself, a bare McLaren Monocell chassis is an impressive piece of engineering. One that you can now own for much, much less than the cost of a complete car.

The monocoque from a crashed McLaren GT is being offered for sale by 417 Motoring on eBay with, at the time of writing, a reduced asking price of $2,624.99. That’s down from the original asking price of $3,499.99, although you’ll likely have to pay the $1,200 flat-rate shipping fee to get the bare shell from Missouri to wherever you are. Still, by volume at least, you’re getting a lot of car for a fraction of what it cost new (about $210,000 in its debut model year).

The seller notes that there is damage to the rear corner section, and to the front left side of the tub. And while windshield and roof glass are included, both pieces are cracked and may have to be replaced. It’s unclear if this damage is terminal, or if the GT could be resurrected with enough replacement parts. Monocell chassis are pretty tough, which is why crashed limited-edition McLarens like the Elva and Senna can still sell for six or seven figures even with salvage titles.

It may not be financially worthwhile to attempt a GT rebuild, though. Introduced for the 2020 model year, the GT is based on the 720S but with softer styling and tuning, as well as added cargo space under the engine cover, Maserati Bora-style, to fulfill the grand tourer role. But it’s still a two-seat, mid-engine supercar, so practicality increases by only a small degree. McLaren replaced it with the spicier GTS for 2024, but this is still a neither-here-nor-there car that may not have the long-term appeal of a Senna or Long Tail.

Besides, there are so many other options. This would make a sick race car bed, although your kids might outgrow it quickly. You could also convert it into a sim racing rig, taking advantage of the supercar cockpit layout in a (somewhat) more modest footprint than a rig made from a complete car.

If I had a porch, I’d hire somebody to build a frame, reinstall the cupholders, and turn this thing into a porch swing for the summer. For the winter, Senior Editor Caleb Jacobs suggested using it as a toboggan. Sounds good to me. After all, it’s been crash-tested.

Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com

Stephen has always been passionate about cars, and managed to turn that passion into a career as a freelance automotive journalist. When he’s not handling weekend coverage for The Drive, you can find him looking for a new book to read.


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Would You Pay $30 to Watch the Miami F1 Race at an IMAX Movie Theater? https://engineicon.com/would-you-pay-30-to-watch-the-miami-f1-race-at-an-imax-movie-theater/ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 02:56:19 +0000 https://engineicon.com/would-you-pay-30-to-watch-the-miami-f1-race-at-an-imax-movie-theater/

You know Formula 1 has come a long way in the United States when you can walk into an IMAX movie theater and watch a freakin’ Grand Prix live. Heck, I remember when I used to have to add the “Speedvision” option to my mom’s cable TV package so I could watch a sport that was obscure to most Americans.

Starting with the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, folks will be able to watch select 2026 races at IMAX theaters across the country. This new viewing modality is part of Apple TV’s new broadcasting strategy to grow the sport even more domestically. Folks who decide to make the pilgrimage to the theater rather than watch on Apple TV from home will be treated to a 150-minute broadcast, which includes 15 minutes of pre-show action, the full race, and podium celebrations.

Poking around my local IMAX theater website, it looks like tickets will run $30 plus fees, though that’ll likely vary by location. For what it’s worth, I think the best part of this gig is the fact that you’ll be able to interact with fellow F1 fans, rather than be a hermit at home. God knows I’ve spent the last 30+ years of F1 fandom screaming at the TV alone, and oftentimes at odd hours of the night.

Besides Miami, you’ll be able to watch the following 2026 races on IMAX screens:

  • Miami Grand Prix – May 3, 2026
  • Monaco Grand Prix – June 7, 2026
  • British Grand Prix – July 5, 2026
  • Italian Grand Prix – September 6, 2026
  • United States Grand Prix – October 25, 2026

I personally won’t give this a shot for Miami because I’ll be at the race in person, but I might consider it for another race later this year.

Would you pay $30-ish to watch an F1 race at the movies?

As deputy editor, Jerry draws on a decade of industry experience and a lifelong passion for motorsports to guide The Drive’s short- and long-term coverage.


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