A recent blast to Penang by the McLaren Owner’s Community Malaysia (MOCM) also included a tribute to the first McLaren LT (which stands for Longtail) road car. What began in 2015 as the 675LT which, in itself, was inspired by the Formula 1 GTR Longtail, has since spawned six McLaren LT supercars with the 600LT and 765LT in both coupe and Spider variants.

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As McLaren Automotive’s Chief Commercial Officer Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer states: ““For a decade, LT has embodied the pure, uncompromising performance that defines the very essence of McLaren. Relentlessly focused on delivering true driver engagement, every McLaren LT pushes the boundaries of weight reduction, aerodynamics, and power, to create an experience that is as thrilling as it is visceral. Loved by the most passionate McLaren drivers, LT is more than just a name – it’s a statement of intent for those who demand the purest expression of performance.”

Among the McLaren LTs which joined the convoy were the 765LT Spider, 765LT and 600LT. They were joined by other McLaren models ranging from the 570S to the 750S to make up a convoy size of 21. Early on a Friday, the MOCM members and their partners gathered at Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill at Sunway Resort in their brand-new MOCM shirts, made to measure by DeCatano Bespoke in the marque’s signature papaya orange hue.

View what happened at Haku

They then made good time on the highways, arriving in Penang at their lunch stop, Haku Extraordinary Japanese Cuisine for a chef’s menu of delicious sashimi and assorted seafood paired with Augusto tequila, the world’s first exclusively sherry cask-aged tequila. Introductions to this unique tequila was carried out by none other than Cheryl Xie, Dajin Beverages’ general manager who spoke of the heritage and craft of this drink which is birthed from La Cofradia in Tequila, in the Mexican state of Jalisco.

Following lunch, the McLaren convoy rolled into the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, a grande dame of Penang’s hospitality scene since it was set up by the Sarkies brothers in 1885, becoming one of the finest hotels east of the Suez during the turn of century and the hotel of choice on a ‘Grand Tour’ of Asia. Here, the McLaren LTs were showcase against the hotel’s heritage wing attracting plenty of attention and onlookers.

View what took place at Eastern & Oriental Hotel

As the sun began to sink into the horizon, the lively beats of a Chinese drum and clash of cymbals brought forth a lion dance troupe, as well as a God of Prosperity in full regalia. Dinner, which followed at the Fullerton Suite, was a raucous affair, with The Dalmore Scotch whisky adding to the merriment. Onstage, the TCM live band added plenty of pizzazz which was followed by MOCM’s chairman Ng Choon Jin and vice-chairman Kenji Wong incredibly successful fund-raising double act.

The next day, MOCM members and their partners were kitted out in their New Era Essential tee and New Era caps, sponsored by New Era – a global partner to McLaren Racing. The convoy then crossed the first bridge into FuHouse for a delightful eight-course lunch. They then did a fuel-stop at Petron before heading towards Penang Design Village outlet mall. This set them up for a drive back across on the second bridge, a more sinuous and longer route to enjoy the performance and handling of their McLarens.

In the evening, the MOCM members swapped their McLarens for pedal-powered trishaws, as they headed to the one Michelin-starred Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery for a delicious rendition of Peranakan favourites. To wrap up the night, the group traipsed off to Chateau DC Heritage, a live band venue for cigars and spirits to cap a memorable drive and tribute to the first decade of the McLaren LT.

View photos of the event at Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery

Photography by Ken Lim / Momenz Creation

Videography by SK Seaw & Tan Wei Keat / Momenz Creation