The 2025 Monterey Motorsports Festival just raised the bar, announcing that internationally renowned drifter and Red Bull athlete Mad Mike Whiddett will headline this year’s event with his jaw-dropping, rotary-powered McLaren P1 GTR-X.
Whiddett, famous for pushing the limits of physics and style, will debut his latest creation, the MADMAC—a one-off McLaren hypercar reimagined for drifting with a custom-built, flame-spitting 20B rotary turbo engine producing an estimated 1,000 horsepower. The car, crafted in partnership with his MadLab team, trades the P1’s original hybrid V8 for a screaming triple-rotor setup, making it one of the most audacious builds in modern motorsport.
Festival organizers confirmed that Mad Mike won’t just be displaying the car—he’ll be firing it up and possibly putting on a live demonstration for fans during the show. “We wanted this year’s festival to capture the true spirit of motorsports and engineering creativity,” said Monterey Motorsports Festival director Lena Ruiz. “There’s nobody better than Mad Mike to embody that spirit.”
Whiddett has become a household name in global motorsport circles for his aggressive driving style and signature rotary-powered builds. From drifting through the mountains of Japan to competing in Formula DRIFT USA and even tackling off-road courses in Stadium Super Trucks, his resume reads like a highlight reel of adrenaline-fueled feats.
The MADMAC P1 GTR-X is expected to be one of the festival’s top attractions. It joins an all-star lineup of historic and modern performance cars, exhibitions, and driver meet-and-greets during the August 16–17 weekend at the Monterey Fairgrounds.
With the roar of rotary power and a reputation for spectacle, Mad Mike’s appearance is set to make this year’s festival one to remember.
