Corvette Challenge Videos
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Corvette Challenge Videos
I recently got a set of the Corvette Challenge videos from the National Corvette Museum store online. Pretty cool if you haven't seen them. It was a racing series in '88 & '89 of all pretty much stock Corvettes straight off the showroom floor. Road courses, oval tracks, etc. They beat 'em pretty hard but it'll make you realize how tough these cars are. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by jonecap
I recently got a set of the Corvette Challenge videos from the National
Corvette Museum store online.
Corvette Museum store online.
primarily of footage of track action?
I am interested in the car preparation, issues uncovered and solutions
that were applied. A retrospective that perhaps finds the participants
to be more forthcoming with details they would have wanted to keep
to themselves back in the day. Team and driver profiles would be of
interest, too.
Can you fill in more about what's there?
.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by 95wht6spd
I believe they had sealed 400HP engines, roll bars, etc., but pretty much stock after that for a race car. Cool!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
Do these have technical analysis of the cars, or do they consist
primarily of footage of track action?
I am interested in the car preparation, issues uncovered and solutions
that were applied. A retrospective that perhaps finds the participants
to be more forthcoming with details they would have wanted to keep
to themselves back in the day. Team and driver profiles would be of
interest, too.
Can you fill in more about what's there?
.
primarily of footage of track action?
I am interested in the car preparation, issues uncovered and solutions
that were applied. A retrospective that perhaps finds the participants
to be more forthcoming with details they would have wanted to keep
to themselves back in the day. Team and driver profiles would be of
interest, too.
Can you fill in more about what's there?
.
Last edited by jonecap; Jun 25, 2006 at 09:00 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
I am interested in learning more about the engine
preparation, too. 400ish HP from a TPI-based SBC
seems like a tall order to me, both from a technical
perspective and because of the SSS nature of the
three SCCA series the cars participated in the latter
part of the '80's.
these remarks from H&H Corvette's site seem plausible
additional information?
I suspect that member *89x2* or one of his friends could tell
us a bit on the subject.
Facinating to look back and realize how many of today's top drivers
participated in those events.
.
preparation, too. 400ish HP from a TPI-based SBC
seems like a tall order to me, both from a technical
perspective and because of the SSS nature of the
three SCCA series the cars participated in the latter
part of the '80's.
Escort Endurance Championship for showroom stock road racers (85-87)
Corvette Challenge (88-89)
World Challenge (90-)
An inexhaustive search did not turn up much detail butCorvette Challenge (88-89)
World Challenge (90-)
these remarks from H&H Corvette's site seem plausible
Chevrolet built fifty-six street legal Corvettes for the
1988 SCCA Corvette Challenge race series. Engines, stock but
matched for power output, were built at the Flint engine plant,
sealed and shipped to Bowling Green for standard assembly. Fifty
cars were sent to Protofab in Wixom, Michigan for installation
of roll cages and other gear. During the season, most engines
were exchanged by Chevrolet for new, sealed engines with more
evenly calibrated power output.
[In 1989 sixty Challenge cars were built] with standard engines.
Meanwhile, CPC Flint Engine built special, higher horsepower
engines which were shipped to the Milford Proving Grounds for
storage, then to Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI), Troy,
Michigan, where they were equalized for power output and
sealed. Bowling Green sent thirty cars to Powell Development
America, Wixom, Michigan, where the roll cages and safety
equipment were installed and the engines from SVI we switched
with the original engines. At the end of the season, Chevrolet
returned the original numbers-matching engines to each racer.
Does the video speak to this? Confirming or possibly providing1988 SCCA Corvette Challenge race series. Engines, stock but
matched for power output, were built at the Flint engine plant,
sealed and shipped to Bowling Green for standard assembly. Fifty
cars were sent to Protofab in Wixom, Michigan for installation
of roll cages and other gear. During the season, most engines
were exchanged by Chevrolet for new, sealed engines with more
evenly calibrated power output.
[In 1989 sixty Challenge cars were built] with standard engines.
Meanwhile, CPC Flint Engine built special, higher horsepower
engines which were shipped to the Milford Proving Grounds for
storage, then to Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI), Troy,
Michigan, where they were equalized for power output and
sealed. Bowling Green sent thirty cars to Powell Development
America, Wixom, Michigan, where the roll cages and safety
equipment were installed and the engines from SVI we switched
with the original engines. At the end of the season, Chevrolet
returned the original numbers-matching engines to each racer.
additional information?
I suspect that member *89x2* or one of his friends could tell
us a bit on the subject.
Facinating to look back and realize how many of today's top drivers
participated in those events.
.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,178
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
I am interested in learning more about the engine
preparation, too. 400ish HP from a TPI-based SBC
seems like a tall order to me, both from a technical
perspective and because of the SSS nature of the
three SCCA series the cars participated in the latter
part of the '80's.
these remarks from H&H Corvette's site seem plausible
additional information?
I suspect that member *89x2* or one of his friends could tell
us a bit on the subject.
Facinating to look back and realize how many of today's top drivers
participated in those events.
.
preparation, too. 400ish HP from a TPI-based SBC
seems like a tall order to me, both from a technical
perspective and because of the SSS nature of the
three SCCA series the cars participated in the latter
part of the '80's.
Escort Endurance Championship for showroom stock road racers (85-87)
Corvette Challenge (88-89)
World Challenge (90-)
An inexhaustive search did not turn up much detail butCorvette Challenge (88-89)
World Challenge (90-)
these remarks from H&H Corvette's site seem plausible
Chevrolet built fifty-six street legal Corvettes for the
1988 SCCA Corvette Challenge race series. Engines, stock but
matched for power output, were built at the Flint engine plant,
sealed and shipped to Bowling Green for standard assembly. Fifty
cars were sent to Protofab in Wixom, Michigan for installation
of roll cages and other gear. During the season, most engines
were exchanged by Chevrolet for new, sealed engines with more
evenly calibrated power output.
[In 1989 sixty Challenge cars were built] with standard engines.
Meanwhile, CPC Flint Engine built special, higher horsepower
engines which were shipped to the Milford Proving Grounds for
storage, then to Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI), Troy,
Michigan, where they were equalized for power output and
sealed. Bowling Green sent thirty cars to Powell Development
America, Wixom, Michigan, where the roll cages and safety
equipment were installed and the engines from SVI we switched
with the original engines. At the end of the season, Chevrolet
returned the original numbers-matching engines to each racer.
Does the video speak to this? Confirming or possibly providing1988 SCCA Corvette Challenge race series. Engines, stock but
matched for power output, were built at the Flint engine plant,
sealed and shipped to Bowling Green for standard assembly. Fifty
cars were sent to Protofab in Wixom, Michigan for installation
of roll cages and other gear. During the season, most engines
were exchanged by Chevrolet for new, sealed engines with more
evenly calibrated power output.
[In 1989 sixty Challenge cars were built] with standard engines.
Meanwhile, CPC Flint Engine built special, higher horsepower
engines which were shipped to the Milford Proving Grounds for
storage, then to Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI), Troy,
Michigan, where they were equalized for power output and
sealed. Bowling Green sent thirty cars to Powell Development
America, Wixom, Michigan, where the roll cages and safety
equipment were installed and the engines from SVI we switched
with the original engines. At the end of the season, Chevrolet
returned the original numbers-matching engines to each racer.
additional information?
I suspect that member *89x2* or one of his friends could tell
us a bit on the subject.
Facinating to look back and realize how many of today's top drivers
participated in those events.
.
Thanks for the plug
The 88's had their motors installed on the line, the 89's had a leased otor that was supposed to be taken back after the season.
The numbers portrayed in power, were more like 300 hp and all motors were w/ in a few hp of one another.
Many 89's have both their stock engine (it really was stock
) and also the race motor - but some do not.Cages were different between both years and so were the seats.
Tere is a lot of neat stuff on these cars - 1990's were a whole different animal
BTW, production numbers do not equal actual # of cars converted
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
They show in car cameras on these videos along with engine telemetry(sp?). They were only turning these motors to 5,200 on the track, so I suspect they were pretty darn stock. According to the announcers, they were STOCK motors with no mufflers and a different computer chip putting them approximately 35 horsepower above stock. 275hp maybe. They were hitting about 120 mph at Phoenix in 105 degree heat. Sounds pretty L98ish to me. They beat the crap out of these cars on the track though. Pretty cool if you can handle seeing 4 C4's wrecked at the same time.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
*89x2* pretty much got it all correct.
The entire Corvette Challenge series was born because the C4 Corvettes where kicked out of the SCCA Showroom Stock Class back in 1987. They were going up against Camaros, Trans AMs, and Porsche 944s, and they were beating the heck out of 'em.
The '88 cars had their engines installed on the production line, while the '89 cars had their engines built by an engine shop in Michigan (I don't remember the name right now), and were all sealed to prevent teams from tampering with them. The engines were L98s that produced 300bhp, and were all within a horsepower or two from one another.
The Corvette Challenge was a great series and made for some awesome racing. It's fun to watch the cars that we cruise around with going fender-to-fender on the track.
The entire Corvette Challenge series was born because the C4 Corvettes where kicked out of the SCCA Showroom Stock Class back in 1987. They were going up against Camaros, Trans AMs, and Porsche 944s, and they were beating the heck out of 'em.
The '88 cars had their engines installed on the production line, while the '89 cars had their engines built by an engine shop in Michigan (I don't remember the name right now), and were all sealed to prevent teams from tampering with them. The engines were L98s that produced 300bhp, and were all within a horsepower or two from one another.
The Corvette Challenge was a great series and made for some awesome racing. It's fun to watch the cars that we cruise around with going fender-to-fender on the track.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,178
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
Leading Question:
So is John Powell and what role did he play regarding the
Corvette Challenge (88-89)??
.
So is John Powell and what role did he play regarding the
Corvette Challenge (88-89)??
.
Powell Motorsports: He ran a Corvette Driving Scool, amongst other things... http://www.powellmotorsport.com/inde...display&pid=29
John Powell
John Powell is a man with a passion for Corvettes.
Powell, a former race car driver, was instrumental in creating the “Corvette Challenge,” a special racing series that debuted in 1988. The Challenge was created to meet an unsatisfied desire to race Corvettes, a breed virtually unbeatable by the competition. In 1987, Corvette retired from SCCA Showroom Stock competition after four straight years without a loss. Drivers like Powell still had an interest in racing the Corvette, so the Corvette Challenge was born.
A collaboration between Chevrolet and a handful of automotive suppliers, the Corvette Challenge series pitted identically-equipped Corvettes against each other in a test of driver skill. Powell worked with the SCCA in organizing the racing series for ’88 and ’89.
Today, he runs Powell Motorsports in Blackstock, Ontario where he teaches driving and consults with automakers on performance. Powell has produced training manuals and videos on the subject of driving, and has been commissioned by the Canadian Government to design special courses for government agencies.
While Powell’s relationship with GM goes back to 1980, life began in 1984 when Powell met then Corvette Chief Engineer Dave McLellan. “My life changed when I met David,” says Powell. “Dave hired me to do brake and chassis development work on Corvette. He was an inspiration and a considerable influence.” Powell was later asked to assist Chevrolet in testing prototype ZR-1s. Because of his training experience, Powell set up clinics and driving schools to show top Chevrolet development engineers how to get maximum handling and performance from the Corvette ZR-1.
John Powell is a man with a passion for Corvettes.
Powell, a former race car driver, was instrumental in creating the “Corvette Challenge,” a special racing series that debuted in 1988. The Challenge was created to meet an unsatisfied desire to race Corvettes, a breed virtually unbeatable by the competition. In 1987, Corvette retired from SCCA Showroom Stock competition after four straight years without a loss. Drivers like Powell still had an interest in racing the Corvette, so the Corvette Challenge was born.
A collaboration between Chevrolet and a handful of automotive suppliers, the Corvette Challenge series pitted identically-equipped Corvettes against each other in a test of driver skill. Powell worked with the SCCA in organizing the racing series for ’88 and ’89.
Today, he runs Powell Motorsports in Blackstock, Ontario where he teaches driving and consults with automakers on performance. Powell has produced training manuals and videos on the subject of driving, and has been commissioned by the Canadian Government to design special courses for government agencies.
While Powell’s relationship with GM goes back to 1980, life began in 1984 when Powell met then Corvette Chief Engineer Dave McLellan. “My life changed when I met David,” says Powell. “Dave hired me to do brake and chassis development work on Corvette. He was an inspiration and a considerable influence.” Powell was later asked to assist Chevrolet in testing prototype ZR-1s. Because of his training experience, Powell set up clinics and driving schools to show top Chevrolet development engineers how to get maximum handling and performance from the Corvette ZR-1.
Last edited by *89x2*; Jun 26, 2006 at 08:59 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
Leading Question:
So who is John Powell and what role did he play regarding the
Corvette Challenge (88-89)??
.
So who is John Powell and what role did he play regarding the
Corvette Challenge (88-89)??
.
Great question.
Last edited by TheCorvetteKid; Jun 26, 2006 at 08:52 PM.
.
