Filed under: Motorsports, Sports/GTs, Chevrolet
Corvette C6.R returning to ALMS in 2008
Click image for high-res gallery
Earlier this fall there was speculation that Chevrolet would withdraw the Corvette Racing team from the 2008 race season due to a lack of competition. Throughout most of the 2007 ALMS season, the two bright yellow C6.Rs were the only GT1 cars on the track. Corvette fans can now rest easy because the thundering 'Vettes will be back for the full 2008 race calendar. The two-car factory team will run all twelve ALMS races as well as shooting for another class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Even if you aren't necessarily a Corvette aficionado, the distinctly memorable sound of the C6.R hurtling down the track is definitely something worth experiencing, and race fans will be lucky to have another opportunity in 2008.
[Source: GM]
Gallery: Chevrolet Corvette C6.R
Corvette Racing to Compete in 12-Race American Le Mans Series in 2008
Chevrolet Factory Team to Run Entire ALMS Schedule and 24 Hours of Le Mans
DETROIT – Corvette Racing, the most successful team in the history of the American Le Mans Series, will compete in the GT1 class in all 12 events on the ALMS schedule in 2008. Chevrolet's two-car factory road racing team will also return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in pursuit of a sixth GT1 title in the world's most famous sports car race.
"Corvette Racing was conceived as a long-term program to showcase the performance, technology, and value of Chevrolet's world-class sports car," said Mark Kent, director of GM Racing. "Since the team's competition debut in 1999, Corvette Racing's success in top-tier road racing has produced a strong return on our investment, paying dividends in marketing, engineering, technology transfer, personnel development and other areas of our business. Corvette is now a performance icon that's recognized around the world, and Corvette Racing's continued participation in the ALMS and the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be an important element in the global celebration of GM's 100th anniversary in 2008."
Corvette Racing has won seven consecutive GT1 manufacturers and team championships and six straight drivers championships in ALMS competition. The team holds the series' records for class victories (57) and 1-2 finishes (40).
"Our decision to compete in all 12 rounds of the ALMS schedule in 2008 reflects our commitment to our sponsors, our suppliers, and to Corvette enthusiasts worldwide," said Steve Wesoloski, GM Racing Road Racing Group manager. "There is a reason why thousands of Corvette owners attend Corvette Corrals at ALMS events and why the autograph line at Corvette Racing is the longest in the ALMS paddock: Racing is an integral part of Corvette's history and heritage, and we are continuing that tradition.
"Experience teaches us that motorsports is cyclical, and the GT1 category is currently in transition," Wesoloski observed. "Would we like to see more competition in GT1 in the ALMS? Absolutely! But in the absence of season-long competition, we are absolutely committed to controlling our own destiny. We are pushing hard to develop our chassis and powertrain, to refine our race strategy, and to continuously improve every element of the program. We know that the competition at Le Mans will be intense, and we will use the ALMS series to hone the race cars, the drivers, and the team to prepare for it."
Corvette Racing will test two new Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars in February in preparation for the season-opening round of the ALMS series, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, on March 15, 2008.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nagmashot 8:39AM (12/14/2007)
hopefully Nissan show up in the ALMS with the GT-R in the GT-1 class and the Corvette will end that hype once and for all... :))
Good that they keep on racing... I only can see videos of ALMS but I love the sound of that Monster...
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sw 9:06AM (12/14/2007)
It probably won't end the hype, if anything it'll be like the GT40 vs Ferrari in the old days.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:43AM (12/14/2007)
I agree completely. This would be wonderful.
However, Jalopnik reported (in an exclusive) that Nissan is withdrawing from factory-backed racing in the US in 2008.
Go over and check it out there.
I wish it were not true, because I would love to see the two go head-to-head.
HotRodzNKustoms 9:05AM (12/14/2007)
If nothing else the Vettes provide a soothing sound after the ear piercing shrieks of the European cars.
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Russell 9:39AM (12/14/2007)
+1
Zane 10:16AM (12/14/2007)
Haha! Nice comment! +1
MK 10:40AM (12/14/2007)
Good one, pal. Plus, I'd love it if the Vipers can move up a notch to compete directly with them. That would be some hype!!
John P. 10:47AM (12/14/2007)
...or in the case of the porsches, the sound of a vacuum cleaner chuffing by at 200mph.
You are spot on though. Back in the day when I used to watch prototype racing, the big V8 sounded almost soothing when ripping by compared to everything else.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:44AM (12/14/2007)
They sound great, but the Panoz LMP-1 was the best. Incredible exhaust note, huge V8 sound. Its exhaust note was easily the most memorable part of ALMS when it was around.
LMBVette 10:41AM (12/14/2007)
This is good news.
Thanks for the gallery Autoblog, I now have a new background to look at.
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Rob 10:46AM (12/14/2007)
Why are there no other cars willing to tangle with the 'Vette? Oh wait, I think I know why. Joking aside its sad to see no other competition in GT1 in the ALMS. I think Nissan should campaign a GTR. It would give it some real street cred in the States and help spread the GTR name into the mainstream.
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Carlos 11:00AM (12/14/2007)
That's because no one has the money or the cajones to go against the Corvettes. Other than Aston Martin
why not the LS2LS7? 4:58PM (12/14/2007)
You mean Prodrive. Aston Martin is just the badge on the car.
Prodrive beat the Corvettes in Ferrari 550Ms and later in Aston Martin DBR9s. They deserve the credit, not Aston Martin.
AlmsFan 11:28AM (12/14/2007)
At least private teams will run the Vette in GT2 ALMS next year alsong side the Vipers and Ford GTs. GT2 will be a blast to watch.
The sounds of the Vett and Panoz are worth the price of a ticket alone. The C6R screaming down the straights will give you a cold chill.
I love watching the LeMans GT1 action with Lambo and McLaren thrown in with the Vetts and Aston.
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whofan 6:37PM (12/14/2007)
Corvette, the car admired by all but admitted by few.
So much better for so much less. GM deserves to be number one!
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HotRodzNKustoms 8:26PM (12/14/2007)
Well said.