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Spec Corvette is born - America's sports car racing, fun, fast and affordable
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Huntington Beach, CA, June 1, 2017 -- Today, Spec Corvette announces a new racing class for enthusiasts looking to go fast on a low-cost build that requires minimal maintenance. The class is born from a grassroots demand to improve the former SCCA T1 class dominated by Corvettes from 1999 to 2011. Recently in SCCA T1, several rule changes killed the once thriving class, causing cars, drivers, and enthusiasm to disperse elsewhere. NASA ST2 is popular, but the build requirements are getting more expensive and sophisticated. Spec Corvette is designed to fix these problems. Spec racing classes garner the highest entry participation of all classes, but are mostly comprised of slower, low-horsepower cars. Spec Corvette brings an outstanding chassis mated to a 400 horsepower engine that is economical to race and maintain for its category. LS engines, as used in Spec Corvette, are plentiful, powerful, lightweight and inexpensive when compared with other options.
The excellent chassis of the C5 Corvette is further improved upon due to Spec Corvette sponsor partnerships with aFe Power, Wilwood Racing Brakes, and Falken Tires. Special bundle packages and deeply discounted pricing have been negotiated with these manufacturers to give Spec Corvette racers the ability to build cars with top-performing parts for less than $20,000, including the purchase price of the vehicle. Suspension parts from aFe Control include single adjustable coil-over shocks, racing sway bars, spherical a-arm bearings, camber kit and tow hooks. Wilwood Racing Brakes has packaged a special six-piston front caliper and mounting kit mated to 355 mm two-piece rotors, pads and stainless-steel brake hoses. Falken Tire is providing its fast new 200 treadwear 615k+ performance tire as the spec tire for the series.
The $20,000 or less build cost of a Spec Corvette is based upon the C5 base coupe, FRC or Z06 platform. That build cost includes everything needed to start racing with a competitive car. Included in that budget, in addition to the items from series sponsors, are all safety requirements such as the roll cage, race seat, harness, fire system, race w....
I hope it catches on! Was talking to a buddy last night about what he should consider to race, and given the budget encouraged him to avoid the arms race in ST1, and slowing down to SpecE46 or the like wasn't interesting either.
I hope it catches on! Was talking to a buddy last night about what he should consider to race, and given the budget encouraged him to avoid the arms race in ST1, and slowing down to SpecE46 or the like wasn't interesting either.
We have negotiated 50% off deals for the full suspension package of coil-overs, sphericals, sway bars, camber kits and tow hooks - Six piston front brakes with 355mm two piece rotors, pads and stainless steel lines, and Falken 200 treadware 615k+ tires.
This is really great news....I think there was an old thread from a year or two ago where many of us were saying a spec Vette class would be popular and ultimately, I think give the spec Miata class a run for its money. If nothing else, at least it will sound better with the throaty V8 motors roaring by
I do have a couple of comments about the rules to allow old T1 cars to play for the first year.
1. Allow brake duct extensions (from factory opening to rotor)
2. Allow C5s to upgrade to LS6 heads and intake
3. Allow C5s to use headers
4. Allow dry sumps
5. Min weight 3200 w/driver
6. Max of 400 RWHP
After the first year the rules can be reviewed and adjusted (based on car owner input)
I do have a couple of comments about the rules to allow old T1 cars to play for the first year.
1. Allow brake duct extensions (from factory opening to rotor)
2. Allow C5s to upgrade to LS6 heads and intake
3. Allow C5s to use headers
4. Allow dry sumps
5. Min weight 3200 w/driver
6. Max of 400 RWHP
After the first year the rules can be reviewed and adjusted (based on car owner input)
You just opened up another $10k+ plus in expense, for those who want to spend it. I think on the Azenis tire a dry sump really won't be necessary. Just speaking personally, if the rule set you suggested above was allowed, then I'd just stay in ST2 rather than starting over with a "cheaper" Spec Vette. With the specs above you're just Hoosiers and aero away from a competitive ST2 car.
Last edited by Mark@AMT Motorsport; 06-02-2017 at 09:17 AM.
I do have a couple of comments about the rules to allow old T1 cars to play for the first year.
1. Allow brake duct extensions (from factory opening to rotor)
2. Allow C5s to upgrade to LS6 heads and intake
3. Allow C5s to use headers
4. Allow dry sumps
5. Min weight 3200 w/driver
6. Max of 400 RWHP
After the first year the rules can be reviewed and adjusted (based on car owner input)
Mark at AMT pretty much nailed the answer. These six changes dramatically increase cost and maintenance.
We will review rules on occasion, but changes will be very cautiously made as to avoid turbulence in car re-config for a lot of drivers. That is one of the problems with current racing rulesets... the frequent and numerous changes in car set-ups from year to year.
PS. We will be allowing the LS1s to upgrade to LS6 specs. This first year with all the base coupes coming out of fresh new builds we decided to standardize on the LS1 output as the standard. We are testing the best way to restrict the LS6 for the first few races.
Love it! Could we have a system, without getting too complex, that would add weight in lieu
of getting rid of already installed parts? Those of us that already have different suspension, brakes, etc. I could race this immediately except I have wilwood calipers on the front with stock brake rotors and penske double adjustables. I know you can't please all, just seems like a simple weight add/loss points system could greatly increase initial participation and lower costs. Thanks for doing work on this!
Looking at their build prices. Where are people getting 4x 18" z rears for $600?
This can be done, but takes some horse trading. You can buy a couple of full C5Z sets used, sell off the 17"s and net out around $150/wheel. I've done exactly that for my track wheels.
Love it! Could we have a system, without getting too complex, that would add weight in lieu of getting rid of already installed parts?
It seems simple until you try to do it. Stick to the Spec Miata formula -
you can install X, Y, and Z parts (and no others). As soon as you go away from that it becomes an arms race to the bottom of everyone's wallet.
06-01-2017, 09:21 PM
Spec Corvette is born - America's sports car racing, fun, fast and affordable
