Filed under: Motorsports, Sports/GTs, Aston Martin, Chevrolet
Corvette C6-R program could be a victim of its own success
Click the C6R for a gallery of Detroit GP ALMS race action
Ever since the end of the factory Dodge Viper racing program, the American Le Mans Series GT1 class has been dominated by the factory C5R and C6R Corvettes. For a while they were challenged by assorted Panoz GTR1s, privateer Vipers, Ferrari 575s and Aston Martins. In 2007, aside from an Aston Martin at Sebring, the 'Vettes have had the GT1 class to themselves.
Without some serious challengers there really isn't any point in GM continuing to fund the program. Program Manager Doug Fehan has said that they would only run unopposed for one year. If Aston Martin, Ferrari or someone else doesn't step up to the plate, 2007 is likely to be the last year for the factory C6R GT1 program. The team will definitely run at Le Mans next year but anything else is unclear right now. Beyond 2008 the team could switch to GT2 where they might challenge all the 911s and F430s.
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eric M 2:30PM (9/07/2007)
[Stephen Colbert]
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
*gasp*
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
[/Colbert]
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Don 2:45PM (9/07/2007)
That's amusing. Nothing can stand up to the 'Vettes, so why race?
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Johnnie 2:48PM (9/07/2007)
Just my personal opinion, but I think that they should be running in GT2 anyway with the other cars in their class.
It would be fun to see them running with 911's, F430's, Panoz', Viper's, etc.
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FLR 2:57PM (9/07/2007)
I could never understand why they didn't run in the GT2 class. What are the rules? Why weren't they there in the first place? I'm sure a C6R could run quite competively with the F430's and 911's especially since they Corvette wouldn't have 500 pounds added as ballast to slow it down!
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Andrew 6:11PM (9/07/2007)
you realize that GT1 cars are (generally) faster than GT2 cars, right?
Cliff 3:02PM (9/07/2007)
I agree, much more fun to watch in a GT2 series. +
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Glenn 3:22PM (9/07/2007)
I would love to see c6r's laying down the law in GT2. Would be awesome. Run both classes. Continue the dynasty.
Cypher09 3:18PM (9/07/2007)
GT2 is already a great show tho it could always be better. Picture Vette, Viper, New M3, 911, F430 & Panoz all duking it out on track.
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Johnnie 4:19PM (9/07/2007)
C6R wouldn't be able to run in GT2...it's too modified.
In order to run in GT2, I think it has to be more of a production version of the car.
Perhaps this is the reason why the Corvette never ran there.
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seoultrain 10:13PM (9/07/2007)
I guess they'd have to develop a Z06R
Alex 4:35PM (9/07/2007)
this is not surprising. i think the manufacturers are getting more interested in using the race cars as a means of showcasing what the road version is capable of, as opposed to showcasing how much money they can squander into a hyper car. the new GT3 class is going become even more popular (IMHO) as it only allows the race essentials (roll cage, race prep fuel tank).
GT1 is going south (euphemistically, not geographically) like NASCAR. I want to see what a production car can do while in the hands of a capable driver. I'm not so interested in seeing what a one-off race car with a production-ish shell can do.
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Jeff Banks 6:37PM (9/07/2007)
I fully agree. The GT3 class has always been my favorite. Unless I can buy the damn thing (which I can't, but THEORETICALLY :) ) it's not as fun.
Justin 6:18PM (9/07/2007)
cool, but I am curious what will have to be done to keep within the appropriate hp levels (how much hp is gt2 allowed?). The current zo6 makes 505 and doesn't the C6-R make about 590-600 after restrictors and such? (of course gobs of low end torque) Would GM actually use a detuned ls7 or just go with a lower displacement (ls3?) engine?
Either way, its fine with me, but i think it would be cool to see a detuned ls7, GT2 level hp but keeping all 650 lb-ft of GT1 torque 8^(>)
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davet 6:48PM (9/07/2007)
FYI it's a serious problem in ALMS -- in Europe GT1 could be more vital but does get Astons, Saleens, and the odd Viper. Also, Corvettes race there in GT2 as well as GT1.
That said, GM is the only factory effort in GT1, which is after all the premier GT class. Kudos to GM, but it would sure be nice to see more factory participation in the class. Aston Martin is small and financially not robust, same for Jaguar; Ferrari is only interested in F1; Chrysler -- ehh, less said the better. But Ford IMO should've fielded the GT (I really wanted to see the Ford GT race), and I don't know why Porsche doesn't race GT1. Surely LMP2 isn't taking all of their energy.
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blogged to death 9:23PM (9/07/2007)
The Audis (LMP1) and Corvettes (GT1) have dominated the ALMS series. However internationally the Peugot and Pescarolo Judds have been competition (but they race in the European LeMans series and only meet for the 24 hours du Le Mans.)
Audi & GM aren't the only ones that have had this trouble...CART had a problem with Honda dominating Ford, Toyota and Mercedes Benz. Then in the IRL Honda came in and dominated Toyota, Chevy and Inifiniti (CART is now a Ford Spec series and IRL is a Honda Spec series). AMA has Suzuki who owns the Superbike series and there is little competition outside of the two top riders (Spies and Mladin).
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Ekow 11:09PM (9/10/2007)
I don't get why this is a big deal...they are just going to move to GT2....
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