6 Facts About Corvette Racing
1. In The Beginning
Corvettes first met the racetrack in 1956. Five Corvettes entered into the 12 hours of Sebring. In 1960, three made an appearance into the iconic 24 Hours Of Le Mans race. This race helped launch Corvette into the racing brand it is today.
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2. The Modern Era
The debut of the official Corvette Racing Team began in 1999. Chevrolet partnered with Pratt and Miller Engineering to build and operate the team. Pratt and Miller currently creates technologies for the automotive, defense, and power sports markets.
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3. The C5-R
The C5-R first made its appearance in 1999 at the Daytona Rolex 24. Its engine started out as a 6.0-liter, but grew to a 7.0-liter after the first several months. Constant improvements were made to the chassis and frame for aerodynamics and grip. 31 American Le Mans Series races were won between 1999 and 2004 with the C5-R.
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4. The C6-R
The C6-R shared many similarities with the production version. The engine was strengthened for continued racing use but was otherwise a production LS-7. The aluminum production frame was light yet rigid enough to meet the requirements for racing as well. Some new features were a rear camera system for driver convenience and an air conditioning system. The C6-R went on to dominate the GT-1 class with nearly 35 consecutive wins between 2005 and 2009.
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5. The C7-R
Just like the production C7 Z06, the C7-R uses an aluminum frame, direct injection, and aerodynamic splitters, making the two more similar than ever. The C7-R has done well its first two years, winning seven races. A third place point total in 2015 was only bested by the Porsche and BMW teams.
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6. Corvette Racing Success
Corvette Racing remains one of the most successful teams in motor sports. Even Nascar legends Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Sr. have raced for the team. So far, the team has won 97 races in 17 years. Nearly one third of those are endurance wins with races lasting 12 hours or longer.
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