New Corvette Racing C6.R and Production Corvette ZR1 Represent the
Culmination of More Than 10 Years of Technology Transfer
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2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
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8th March, 2010
Corvette Racing’s second-generation C6.R will be powered by a
new 5.5L production-based V-8, to compete in the new unified GT class in the 2010 American Le Mans Series as
well as the GT2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The updated C6.R and the Corvette ZR1 on which it’s based
represent the strongest link yet between a production Corvette and the modern Corvette Racing team. Both cars
are well-equipped to compete on and off the track with showroom competitors including Aston Martins, BMWs,
Porsches and Ferraris.
Corvette has a long history of production-based endurance racing, making its first appearance at the 12
Hours of Sebring in 1956, and its first appearance at Le Mans in 1960. Then Corvette chief engineer Zora
Arkus-Duntov leveraged the racing programme to improve the production Corvette, as evidenced by the
development of heavy-duty and high-performance components and the introduction of the race-bred Z06 option on
the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray.
The transfer of technology between racing and production cars resumed with the start of the modern
Corvette Racing programme in 1999. More than a decade later, it’s impossible to imagine one team without the
other, according to Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer:
“Simply put, without Corvette Racing, there would not be a Corvette Z06, much less the ZR1. And,
without the foundation of the Corvette C6, Z06 and ZR1, the Corvette Racing team would not be the dominant
presence in production-based racing.”
1999 – 2004: The C5-R acts as a catalyst for Corvette performance
Corvette Racing campaigned the C5-R from 1999 through the end of the 2004 season. The first-generation
car scored 35 victories in 55 races, won its class at the 12 Hours of Sebring three consecutive years,
posted three 1-2 finishes in the GTS class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and earned four consecutive ALMS
manufacturers championships for Chevrolet.
It also served as a catalyst for Corvette performance.
In 1999, the fifth-generation Corvette C5 produced 345 horsepower from its 5.7L V8. Leveraging the
powertrain technologies developed for the C5R, Corvette brought back the hallowed Z06 monicker in 2001,
packing a 385 horsepower 5.7L V8.
In addition, the C5-R helped shape the sixth-generation Chevroelt Corvette, introduced for the 2005
model year. Corvette Racing’s influence could be seen in the C6 Corvette design, which featured flush
headlights for better aerodynamics; a single, large grille opening for the engine air intake, radiator,
and brake cooling; a lower coefficient of drag; and low 3,179 pound curb weight. Lessons from racing
were also integrated in the 6.0L LS2 V8, the most powerful standard Corvette engine to date, with 400
horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. As a result, the C6 Corvette delivered unprecedented performance,
including a 186 mph top speed, acceleration from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds, and quarter-mile runs in 12.6
seconds at 114 mph.
2005 – 2009: The co-development of the C6.R and Z06
The C6 Corvette served as a foundation for the joint development of two new, high-performance
Corvettes: the 2006 Corvette Z06 and the Corvette Racing C6.R, introduced in 2005.
Both cars were powered by 7.0L small-block V8 engines, with dry-sump lubrication systems, CNC-ported
aluminium cylinder heads, titanium valves, forged steel crankshafts, and plate-honed cylinder bores.
For the Z06, the collaboration translated into 505hp, 470 lb.-ft. of torque, and searing performance:
198 mph top speed, acceleration from 0 – 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, and quarter-mile runs in 11.7 seconds at
125 mph. Racing’s influence was also evident in the Corvette Z06 use of light weight carbon fibre front
guards and wheelhouses, and aerodynamics package – including a front splitter, air extractors behind the
front wheels, radiused trailing edges on the wheel openings, brake cooling scoops, widened rear guards,
rear diffuser, and spoiler.
For the C6.R, homologation on the Z06 translated into 42 wins, four consecutive ALMS drivers and
manufacturers championships, and three victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
2010: Introducing the second-generation C6.R, based on the ZR1
In the 2010 American Le Mans Series, Corvette Racing will compete in the series' production-based GT
category (formerly GT2) and in the GT2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a second-generation C6.R
that is homologated on the Corvette ZR1.
The GT rules require the use of many production-based components, making the ZR1 and C6.R the closest
street and racing Corvettes since the 1960s.
Introduced for the 2009 model year, the ZR1 is the fastest, most powerful car ever produced by
Chevrolet. To deliver 638 hp, the LS9 V8 engines are hand-built using many of the processes developed by
the race team. To deliver a 205 mph top speed, the ZR1 aerodynamics package also utilises race
technology – including wide carbon fibre front guards with dual vents, a full-width rear spoiler, and a
front splitter.
The updated C6.R utilises the ZR1 body design, aerodynamic package, aluminium frame and chassis
structure, steering system, windshield, and other components.
Aluminium frame: The new Corvette C6.R is built on the same aluminium frame rails that underpin
production Corvette Z06 and ZR1 models. Other production chassis structures in the race car include the
windshield frame, the hoop around the rear of the passenger compartment, the door hinge pillars, the
drivetrain tunnel, the firewall, and the floor pan.
Steering system: The new Corvette C6.R utilises the production steering column out of the ZR1, with
a fully adjustable steering wheel, and production rack-and-pinion steering rack.
Body profile: The Corvette C6.R race car is now virtually identical to the Corvette ZR1 street car
in appearance, as GT rules require production-type guards with simple flares to accommodate wider
tyres.
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Aerodynamics: The new C6.R utilises the full-width, production rear spoiler from the ZR1, and a
production-based ZR1 front splitter that extends 25 mm, in contrast to the 80 mm splitter allowed under
the GT1 rules. Although the aerodynamics package does not produce the same levels of downforce as the
GT1 car, the C6.R is more predictable over a wide range of speeds.
Where the C6.R and ZR1 differ significantly are in situations where GT rules actually prohibited the
use of the more sophisticated ZR1 components. For example, the ZR1 is equipped with carbon-composite
brake rotors, while GT regulations require ferrous (steel) brake discs. And, where the ZR1 utilises a
6.2L, supercharged V8, the C6.R will use a naturally aspirated small-block, production-based 5.5L V8.
The Corvette C6.R race cars' 5.5 litre Chevrolet small-block V8s are developed, built and maintained
by GM. The Corvette C6.Rs' LS5.5R is a naturally aspirated race engine, based on the Corvette Z06's 7.0
litre LS7 engine (which in turn was developed with the 7.0L race engine used in the C6.R GT1 cars),
built on production cast-aluminium cylinder blocks
Pending GT2 class regulations specify a maximum displacement of 5.5 litres, the reduction in
displacement to meet this requirement was achieved by shortening the crankshaft stroke and reducing the
cylinder bore diameter. In accordance with the regulations, the race engines have two 28.8 mm diameter
intake air restrictors. The LS5.5R engines are equipped with dry-sump oiling systems, CNC-ported
aluminium cylinder heads with titanium intake and exhaust valves, and sequential electronic port fuel
injection. The race engines use E85R ethanol racing fuel in the ALMS and E10 fuel in Le Mans.
Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday
Clearly, Corvette Racing’s success in production-based endurance racing has played a significant
role in improving the performance of the production Corvette. In addition, as the racing and production
cars have become more closely linked, Corvette Racing has also shown a positive impact in Corvette
sales.
“Corvette sales tracked directly to customer leads at ALMS races have doubled from 2005 to 2009,”
says John Fitzpatrick, Chevrolet Performance Cars marketing manager. “This proves what we have heard
anecdotally from other Corvette owners: Watching production-based Corvettes win against legendary
marques like BMW, Porsche and Ferrari, on legendary tracks like Sebring and Le Mans, makes Corvette all
the more desirable.”
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