2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS comes to Formula D
Conrad Grunewald's Hankook Chevrolet Camaro SS Drift Car – Click above for image gallery
One thing we've always loved about drifting in general -- and Formula D in particular -- is the mix of cars. Where else can you see a Dodge Viper going head to head with a Toyota AE86 Corolla? What about a Ford Mustang taking on an R33 Skyline? A Pontiac Solstice against a RX-7? A NASCAR engined Scion (no, really)? But what high horsepower, high torque RWD potential dorifto all-star is missing from Formula D's line up?
Pat yourself you know where if you answered Chevy Camaro SS. In fact, BR Racing is building a 2010 Camaro drift machine (above) for Conrad Grunewald to race. As many of you know, the SS comes to the dance packing 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. But for Formula D, that's not nearly enough. BR Racing is therefor stuffing in a tuned LSA mill (same as a Cadillac CTS-V) but turning the pressure (meaning boost) up. How up? More than 600 horsepower at the wheels, which probably means right around 700 crank hp. Sounds like an adequate amount that should have no trouble turning the Hankook Ventus R-S3 tires into molten clouds of stinky smoke. Full press release after the jump.
Gallery: Formula Drift Chevrolet Camaro SS
[Source: Motor Mavens]
PRESS RELEASE
Custom 2010 Camaro Constructed for Competition in 2010 Formula DRIFT Championship
LOS GATOS, CA – BR Racing by Luke Lonberger in partnership with Conrad Grunewald Racing reveal they are in the process of building a 2010 Camaro SS in preparation for the 2010 Formula DRIFT Championship competition.
"I am very excited to be able to drive such an iconic American muscle car in the Formula DRIFT Championship," said Conrad Grunewald, driver and owner of Conrad Grunewald Racing. "Our main goal is to have the Camaro ready for the 2009 SEMA show but our preseason testing should start immediately after the show. I have a great amount of confidence that BR Racing and Luke Lonberger can build this Camaro into a highly competitive car and I look forward to getting back out on the track."
Hankook Tire Corporation will provide tire sponsorship for the 2010 Formula DRIFT season. Grunewald announced the Camaro will use Hankook Ventus R-S3 tires on custom Forgeline aluminum 3-piece wheels. The car is to be controlled by Eibach's Multi-Pro-R2 two-way adjustable dampers and coilovers. A GM Performance LS-A supercharged 6.2 liter V8 controlled by the AEM Universal EMS and expected to make over 600 RWHP will power the Camaro. All body work will be constructed with carbon fiber from Seibon Carbon.
The car will also be on display the 2009 SEMA Show at Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 3 to Nov. 6, 2009. The Camaro build can be followed at www.conradgrunewald.com.
Entering its sixth season, Formula DRIFT is recognized as the North American professional drifting championship. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges each driver's driving ability and vehicle control. Formula DRIFT provides a forum for professional drifters to compete in 7 events nationwide for the coveted Formula DRIFT Championship crown. As the first official series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme attracting fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life and establishes itself as the global focal point for the Sport.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Motor_Yakuza 4:07PM (9/21/2009)
Awesome.
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Fiendskillz 4:08PM (9/21/2009)
i just came
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BIG 4:17PM (9/21/2009)
I also need a new pair of boxers
Pokey 4:13PM (9/21/2009)
Drifting is not racing, it is mindless, chaotic fun, and that is exactly why I love it!
The Camaro is made for this kind hoonery!
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HotRodzNKustoms 4:21PM (9/21/2009)
Surely they did some valve train work since the LS9 has a higher quality valve train than the LSA which is the main difference other than different blowers.
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glitched 4:25PM (9/21/2009)
exactly, what other form of modern day motorsport could you watch the revival of modern day muscle cars...
The one formula D event i went to a couple years ago, i witnessed an epic ford vs gm show down, with actual cars I could buy from a dealership on Monday if i wanted to.
http://gallery.modified.com/media/images/13-410150/gal/_MG_5211.jpg
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Taglane 4:26PM (9/21/2009)
Holy sheezus
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Mr Clickerson 4:38PM (9/21/2009)
Another American car to dominate this Japanese "motorsport"... I love idiots that say American cars can't "drift", when American cars are the ones who started it.
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Motor_Yakuza 5:27PM (9/21/2009)
American cars in the Japanese mountains many years ago when drifting was created as a way to drive fast and in the same way to keep the car from falling from the mountain? Nope, I really doubt about that.
8complex 5:50PM (9/21/2009)
I'm pretty sure that drifting has no direct relation to mountains, as evidenced by every drift event you see today.
Also, drifting is NOT the fast way around the corner. If you don't at least know that, you should probably stop visiting this site.
Motor_Yakuza 6:07PM (9/21/2009)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drifting_%28motorsport%29
Check the history of drifting.
tankd0g 6:37PM (9/21/2009)
Ignorance is bliss eh? Burnouts and drifting are not the same thing.
300istheno. 8:04PM (9/21/2009)
Mr. Clickerson, you sir are an idiot...
master_V12 8:51PM (9/21/2009)
American cars started drifting???? lolololololololololol
Andre 4:50PM (9/21/2009)
Cool, Nice to see more American Cars in Formula Drift, I just love the different type of cars in the event...
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Yan 5:17PM (9/21/2009)
This car is all kinds of awesome, but looking at those pictures, I'm reminded of both the Genesis drift car and the STi WRC build. Its a bit sad to see a perfectly good production car get torn to bits and have 95% of those bits not used. Granted what comes out of it is far superior in every way, but it just seems so... I dunno... wasteful? Maybe it won't be wasteful if all those unused bits go to buyers and shops who need them. I know certain companies supply bare chassis for stuff like this, though for the life of me I don't remember which ones.
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ForgedInternals 5:27PM (9/21/2009)
It's usually the companies racing division. I know GM Performance Parts is suppose to have a body-in-white Camaro, FRPP has one of the Mustang, I think Mopar has a Challenger. There are aftermarket companies too though but their body's are mostly for restorations on older models. I also believe Shelby sells '65 mustang bodys which I think would make for an interesting drift car.
why not the LS2LS7? 5:34PM (9/21/2009)
During the Grand Am race this weekend they showed a Camaro that will be run next year in GT in Grand Am. Looked great. It was done up with a purple/blue body and yellow rims just like a Camaro from Trans Am. It was to be raced by the kids (presumably sons) of two of the drivers who ran Trans Am back then.
Of course, given how large the new Camaro is, it probably wouldn't look as similar side-by-side, but in these pics, it was great.
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why not the LS2LS7? 9:25PM (9/21/2009)
Here's a link.
http://www.goracingtv.com/2009/09/10/stevenson-motorsports-to-debut-retro-sunoco-camaro-at-vir/
Oct 4th, mark it!
Trent 5:36PM (9/21/2009)
LOVE THAT CAR! I would tear the stock seas out and stick some Sparco seats and removable wheel.
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