Corvette C6.Rs will Debut in GT2 Class at American Le Mans Series
- Aug 5, 2009
The next generation Corvette C6.R will make its debute at an American Le Mans Series event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, photo by GM Corp.
K&N makes filters that are critical to the design of the Corvette air intake system, said Mike Atkins of Pratt and Miller, photo by GM Corp.
The Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars will compete against rivals representing Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Viper, Panoz and Ford in the ALMS Series, photo by GM Corp.
The Corvette C6.R is based on the Corvette ZR1 supercar using the ZR1's body design, aerodynamic package, aluminum frame and chassis structure, photo by GM Corp.
The strength of the Corvette is our mid corner speed and our ability to carry speed into the corners, said driver Johnny O'Connell, photo by GM Corp.
Corvette Racing's roster of championship winning drivers will remain the same with Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen sharing the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R and Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta sharing the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R, photo by GM Corp.
It’s twin Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars will compete against rivals representing Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Viper, Panoz and Ford.
“We look forward to competing against a strong field of outstanding competitors,” said Mark Kent, GM Racing Manager. “The competition will be fierce and we know that in order to win the American Le Mans GT2 class not only takes a great team and great drivers, but it also takes a great race car.” The Corvette race cars will be powered by 6.0 liter GM small block V8 engines that are based on the 7.0 liter LS7.R that powered the GT1 version.
The updated Corvette C6.R uses the Corvette ZR1 supercar body design, aerodynamic package, aluminum frame and chassis structure.
"Integrating a steel safety cage that meets GM Racing's stringent standards as well as the strength and durability targets required in racing is a challenge with an aluminum frame," said Corvette Racing engineering director Dough Louth. "Working in conjunction with the structure and chassis engineers in the Corvette production group, we designed, built and tested numerous examples before we finalized the configuration. We went through a similar process with the production Corvette group on the body design and aero components. It was truly a collaborative effort between the production engineers and the race team."
The new Corvette C6.Rs are equipped with K&N air filters. “The filters K&N makes for Corvette are critical to the design of our intake system,” said Mike Atkins, Pratt and Miller Program Manager. “K&N makes the best air filter available for horsepower and filtration.”
Previous versions of the Corvette C5-R and C6.R race cars also used K&N filters and dominated the GTS and GT1 categories in the last decade, winning 77 races and eight consecutive ALMS championships. The GT1 Corvettes were retired following Corvette Racing’s sixth victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 14, 2009.
Corvette Racing’s roster of championship winning drivers will stay the same. Johnny O’Connell and Jan Magnussen will share the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R and Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta will drive the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R. At Petit Le Mans, they will be joined by Antonio Garcia and Marcel Fassier.
“If my e-mail is any indication it’s going to be crazy at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course,” said driver Johnny O’Connell. “Corvette owners across the country and in Europe and everywhere else are gaga for this car. We are totally excited about the race. I think the strength of this Corvette is our mid-corner speed and our ability to carry speed into the corners. I think that will show well for us.”
The GT2 version of the Corvette C6.R will make its debut in the Acura Sports Car Challenge at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The two-hour, 45 minute race is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. EDT on Saturday, August 8. ABC will televise the race on Sunday, August 9.
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