The Beginning ...

The concept of MARC Cars was born in 2013 by motorsport engineer Ryan McLeod, when he built the first prototype, a Ford Focus body, powered by a 5.0 Ford Coyote V8 Engine. Then in 2014 MARC Cars Australia was officially founded and through the collaborated with PACE Innovations, the team collectively design and produce the MARC I with a selection of body types from a Ford Focus, Mazda 3 and a BMW M235i Sedan.

In 2018, MARC Cars launched the MARC II V8, a second generation car featuring a more powerful 5.2L version of the Coyote V8. The Mustang inspired MARC II is a fully carbon body, paddle-shift operated Albins 6-speed transaxle gearbox with GT-style aerodynamics.

Ryan McLeod sold MARC Cars Australia to long-term racer and enthusiast Geoff Taunton in 2020. His goal for MARC Cars is to move to a dedicated grid which will cater for MARC Car Australia's growing customer base.

This platform that MARC Cars is providing, has been tested and proven over the years, and in 2023 this proudly Australian-designed and engineered company will have their own standalone category.

This new category will give the opportunity for car owners to race exclusively against people with identical equipment and will include both MARC I, II and GT Models.

MARC Cars Australia

The MARC Cars Team today is headed by long time Australian racer Geoff Taunton.

Geoff Taunton has been part of the Australian motorsport landscape for many years, with extensive experience across grass roots motorsport and an owner of both a MARC I and MARC II car.

The MARC Cars Australia team, with 3 MARC Focus V8's, was unveiled at the 2014 Bathurst 12 hour and has since gone on to manufacture 17 Chassis and 8 of the new MARC II V8, debuted in 2018.

Both designs equally popular and provide different racing experiences from grass roots competition to multiple national series'. The MARC Car has been an integral platform for many young racers on their way to the top and held in high regard from some of Australia's most noted drivers and teams.

In recent times, the MARC Cars team has competed in international and domestic sports car endurance events including the Creventic 24H Series, Belcar Series, Bathurst 12hour, Australian GT and Super GT (formally GT-1 Australia).

This new partnership is taking the MARC Cars brand and concept to a new level, both in Australia and around the world.

Key Highlights

2013

MARC Cars Australia founded by Ryan McLeod and MARC Focus V8 design began.

2014

February

The first 3 MARC Focus V8 chassis’ were completed - Amaroo / Bathurst / Catalunya.

3 MARC Focus V8’s debut at the Bathurst 12hour. All 3 cars finished 1/2/3 in Invitational class.

May

3 MARC Focus V8’s debuted with the 24H Series for the Zandvoort 12hour.

2015

MARC Cars Australia completed a full season the 24H Series in Europe with 3 x MARC Cars. Finishing 1^st and 2^nd in SP2 Class Championship.

2016

February

5 MARC Cars competed at the Bathurst 12hour - all cars completed the race and finished 1,2,3 on the podium for Invitational class.

March

First 2 MARC Focus LHD V8’s sold internationally to customer VDS Racing Adventures.

MARC Cars Australia competed in 17 events across 7 different championships in 6 different countries - Dubai24hr, Bathurst12hr, Bathurst Easter, Sandown AGT, SPA12Hour, Phillip Island AGT, Paul Ricard 24hrs, Winton AGT, Zolder 24hr,s, Sydney Motorsport Park, Queensland Raceway, Phillip Island 101, Burriram Super Gt, Bathurst 1000, Phillip Island (again), Bathurst Challenge, Sepang 12hr.

2017

February

MARC Cars Australia entered 7 MARC Cars and 1 BMW M6 GT3 in the Bathurst 12hour. Our biggest entry list to date.

March

MARC II V8 concept began development.

November

MARC Cars Australia debuted in America , competing in both the Intercontinental GT Challenge Laguna Seca 8HR and the 24H Series Circuit of the Americas 24Hour. MARC Cars locked out the podium for both events.

2018

August

First MARC II V8 shipped internationally to Belgium customer VDS Racing Adventures.

2020

January

MARC Cars Australia sold to Geoff Taunton.

November

MARC Cars Australia ships a MARC II V8 to New Zealand customer Collins Motorsport. The first MARC Car to ship to NZ.

2021

June

MARC Cars Australia announces new stand alone series with AMRS for 2021.

The Beginning ...

MARC Cars Australia

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