'Winningest' is a phrase Chevrolet very proudly proclaims when discussing the its motorsport history. In the American Le Mans Series, Corvettes in various forms won 90 races across the past 14 seasons, including 54 one-twos and 10 manufacturer championships. Then there's Chevrolet's NASCAR entry, the World Challenge...
Watch your mirrors Porsche, Aston, BMW...
So the latest C7.R racer is an important car for Chevrolet. Launched with the
Z06
, Chevrolet has been keen to stress the links between the two. The R now uses the road car's direct injection (improving consumption by three per cent and saving enough fuel over 24 hours to forego a pit stop) as well as the stiffer aluminium chassis. Not only does it benefit handling but it makes the car more durable too says Chevy.
There are aero links too aimed at reducing lift and boosting downforce with two cars "developed right alongside each other" (see Jim Campbell in the vid below). In the road car that means a Z06 with the Z07 pack produced the most downforce of any Chevrolet ever. For the R, the aero is of course much more aggressive but not entirely dissimilar.
The C7.R will make its debut in the new Tudor United Sportscar Championship over in the States later this month. Chevrolet is understandably keen to beat Porsche, SRT, Aston Martin, Ferrari and BMdubya again. Not long now until we can find out.
But before then, we'll have a chat with Oliver Gavin to find out just what racing a Corvette is like. He was ALMS champion in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2012 and will compete in the C7.R this season. Keep your eyes peeled!
Watch the C7.R walkaround here