McLAREN F1 GTR Rim Inner Stars for Three-Piece BBS Rims

McLaren F1 GTR “Inner Stars” (center faces) for three-piece BBS rims is like searching for a holy grail in the motorsport world. These components were specifically used on the 1995–1996 GTRs that dominated Le Mans.

Technical Breakdown

The “Inner Star” refers to the center part of the modular wheel that bolts into the inner and outer rim barrels. For the F1 GTR, these were almost exclusively supplied by BBS Motorsport.

• Material: Cast Magnesium. While modern BBS centers (like the E88) use forged aluminum, the period-correct GTR stars were magnesium for extreme weight savings, despite being more brittle over decades.

• Design: The iconic “Y-Spoke” or “Mesh” design.

• Fitment: Center Lock. Unlike the road-going F1 which used a 5-lug setup, the GTR utilized a single center-locking nut for rapid pit stops.

• Diameter: Primarily designed for 18-inch configurations (though some 17-inch versions existed for early testing).

• Inner Diameter: The critical mounting diameter for these stars is approximately  which dictates which BBS rim halves (barrels/lips) can be used.

   

Authenticity & Identification

If you are sourcing these, look for the following markings typically stamped or cast into the rear of the hub:

1. BBS Motorsport Logo: Usually cast into the center or between spokes.

2. Part Numbers: Often start with a “02” or “27”

3. Production Date: Vital for magnesium parts; magnesium has a shelf-life due to oxidation and fatigue. Original 90s stars should be X-rayed for cracks before any track use.

Modern Alternatives

Because original GTR magnesium stars are incredibly rare (often fetching €4,000+ per pair used), many owners of F1 replicas or GTR-spec builds use:

• BBS E88 (Aluminum): The modern motorsport standard. While it looks similar, it is forged aluminum and uses a different bolt-circle for the rim halves.

• BBS E28 (Magnesium): The closest “off-the-shelf” relative to the GTR center, often used in historic racing.

Pro Tip for Maintenance

Magnesium Care: If you have acquired original GTR stars, do not powder coat them. The high heat of the powder coating oven can compromise the structural integrity of aged magnesium. Use only wet paint or specialized “E-coating” designed for magnesium alloys.