This could be just another concept Corvette, or it might be a COPO road racer Z06 Corvette!
Dateline: 5.25.18 – The last time we saw something like this was in 2010 when Chevy showed the Z06-X Concept Corvette. The formula is the same; your basic Z06 with all the latest racer-type hardware. This is right out of the old Zora Arkus-Duntov RPO “racer kit” model from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s.
Autoblog.com has a full set of images of this variation-on-a-theme, and a report that you can readHERE.
Image Credit: Car and Driver Archives
The first time we ever saw something like this was back in 1969 when Duntov held court at the GM Proving Grounds with one of his mule development Corvettes. Zora and his team built a big-block Corvette like a racer would have; they removed everything that shouldn’t be on a racecar and added everything that should be on a racecar, plus a ZL-1 engine! Continue reading “
Harlan Charles & Tadge Juechter Hold Court at NCM’s Latest Michelin Bash Event: 2018 Recap & 2019 Preview
Dateline: 5.2.19 –The National Corvette Museum hosted their three-day annual Michelin NCM Bash from April 26 to April 28. Corvette product manager Harlan Charles and Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter delivered a 1-hour and 47-minute presentation recap of the 2018 season and a preview of what’s in store for 2019.
The event also included racing seminars, an update on the 1962 sinkhole Corvette, and using the C7’s navigation system. Chevrolet wants Corvette fans well informed and C7 owners completely up to speed with their car’s capabilities.
Special guests included former Bowling Green plant manager Wil Cooksey and early generation Corvette restoration expert, Kevin Mackay.
FYI, you can read my 2013 interview with Wil Cooksey in the November 2017 and January 2018 issue of Vette Vues; and my Kevin Mackay 2013 interview in the May 2018 and June 2018 issue of Vette Vues.Continue reading “
The Tadge Juechter & Harlan Charles Show! ’18 Recap & 2’19 Preview – VIDEO” →
Corvette Racing Team scores ANOTHER win at the 12 Hours of Sebring IMSA Race
Dateline: 3-20-16: The overall winner of the 2016 12 Hours of Sebring was Pipo Derani driving his Ligier JS P2 Honda. The Action Express Corvette Daytona Prototype driven by Dane Cameron took 2nd and Christian Fittipaldi took 3rd in his Action Express Corvette Daytona Prototype.
But for Corvette fans, Tommy Milner brought home the gold and took 1st in GTLM Class in his C7.R Corvette.
Here are some interesting stats that show the success of the Corvette Racing Team:
* This was the 10th class victory at Sebring for Corvette Racing
* The Corvette Racing Team claimed its fifth straight Triple Crown victory!
* This was the second straight victory at Sebring for Corvette Racing and the third in four years. Continue reading “
Tommy Milner & the C7.R Corvette Wins GTLM at 12 Hours of Sebring!!! – 3 VIDEOS” →
Dateline: 8.8.11 Excellent Car, Excellent Drivers, Excellent Team, BAD WEATHER!
Photo credit - MotorSport.com
Summertime weather in America is predictably unpredictable. The August 6, 2011 ALMS Mid-Ohio race started out under sunny summer weather. But 2-1/2 hours later, the heavens opened up and drenched the track snatching a victory from the Corvette Racing team after leading the GT class for the first two hours of the two-hour and 45-minute race with the No. 4 C6.R Corvette. When the wet checkered flag came down, the No. 4 Corvette came in 2nd place, with the No. 3 Corvette coming is 6th place. A very tough break for the seasoned C6.R team, but “that’s racing.”
Two hours into the race, as the storm clouds were gathering, the No. 4 Corvette pitted for rain tires. After an excellent pit Gavin was in striking distance of first place – then the rain arrived. Here’s how Oliver Gaven described his rain experiences on the Ohio track, which is notoriously bad in the rain.
C6.R Corvette Racing team driver, Oliver Gavin
“Those last four or five laps were absolutely insane,” Gavin said. “I was driving down the straight with the steering wheel at full opposite lock, with the car just gliding and aquaplaning. Somehow my car straightened up and Pat Long’s car went off into a gravel trap. When Wolf Henzler drove by me, I had no answer for him; he certainly had a good rain setup. I was relieved when they brought out the red flag because it was really tough. “
Racing “rain tires” are only marginally better that the dry slicks that are normally used. It’s hard to imagine what it must be like to be driving a lightweight, high-powered, race car in the wet. DEFINITELY not for the faint of heart. For full details of the race, CLICK HERE.
