Chevrolet Corvette C6.R
The Chevrolet Corvette C6.R GT1 is a racing car, which was developed by Pratt & Miller and General Motors for sports car racing. The vehicle is the successor to the Chevrolet Corvette C5 -R and uses the body design of the Corvette C6 and technical improvements. Since its debut in 2005 builds the Corvette C6.R to the dominance of the Corvette C5 -R in its motor sport and already scored more championship victories in the American Le Mans Series and race wins in the Le Mans Series, the FIA GT Championship and the 24 hour race of Le Mans.
Development
As already the Corvette C5 -R has established itself as winning car, the development of the Corvette C6.R was more of an evolution than a completely new racing car, which normally requires a long test phase. Pratt & Miller's development was promoted by the fact that - unlike the Corvette C5 -R, which debuted two years after the appearance of the street version - the Corvette C6 Corvette C6.R and were developed simultaneously. This meant that design elements, which improved the performance of the car, could also be used for the road version. Thus, the Corvette C6.R could use more unusual aerodynamic parts and yet fulfilled the requirements for homologation. Conversely, were also able to elements of the race car for the Corvette Z06, the top model of the road-going version, the exterior design has the Corvette C6.R, are used.
A large part of the framework of the Corvette C6 Corvette C6.R was taken at the gewichtssenkendem and materials from aluminum. Since the road car now permanently integrated into the bodywork headlights had taken pop-up headlights as the Corvette C5, and the racing version could benefit from improved air flow at the front of the vehicle, since the projecting out of the body covers the headlights of the Corvette C5 - R were replaced. The large radiator opening of the Corvette C6.R, which was used instead of several small openings of the Corvette C5 -R, not only served to cool the brakes, but also improved the aerodynamics, while the air at the rear of the hood exhaled again.
Under the body, the Corvette C6.R retained a large part of the mechanics of the Corvette C5 -R. The same 7-liter V8 engine from Katech was used, but was fitted closer to the LS7 engine, the Corvette Z06. This engine, known as LS7.R, 2006 was awarded for its performance and durability of the award " Motorsport Engine of the Year ". Like the Corvette C5 -R Corvette C6.R also lacked the a rear window due to the structure of the framework and the fuel tanks in the room behind the cockpit. Therefore, the Corvette C6.R was supplemented by an innovation by a small video camera placed in the rear bumper and a monitor was mounted below the roof in the cockpit. This allowed the drivers a better view to the rear, rather than having to rely solely on the exterior mirrors.
Another innovation was the air conditioning in the cockpit, which enables drivers to better tolerate the high temperatures in the cockpit. This required the addition of both a large exhaust fan at the rear of the vehicle as well as in the exterior mirrors integrated Ansauglüftungen. Another innovation, which debuted in the Corvette C6.R in 2007, was the variable cylinder deactivation. The system switches from half of the cylinders in order to reduce fuel consumption while high performance is not required. Although the system was tested during the season, led his failure in the 24- hour race at Le Mans in 2007 means that it has been removed from the vehicles until it could be further developed.
A total of eight Corvette C6.R were of Pratt & Miller built. A ninth vehicle that was used for development work was built on a chassis of the Corvette C5 -R, but using the body of the Corvette C6.R. This vehicle was never used in racing and was only used as an exhibition vehicle, which was introduced alongside the Corvette C6.R at the 2005 North American International Auto Show for the first time to the public.
Racing history
Racing success
- 2005: For the fourth time in five years Corvette was up a double victory at Le Mans in the GT1 class thanks to its new racer. Each disputed by the C6.R race in 2005 was also recovered from her.
- 2006: The C6 -R wins again the ALMS and the 5th time the Le Mans GT1 series and once again the team 'and constructors' championship.
- 2006: The heart of the C6.R, the LS7 -R engine is crowned as Global Motorsport Engine of the Year ( Race Engine of the Year ). The title was GM at the Professional Motorsport World Expo 2006 in Cologne, Germany, presents, after the jury had consisting of 50 of the most famous race engineers like their decision.
- 2007: victory in the 24 - hour race at Spa -Francorchamps FIA GT. Used Cars by Portholland Phoenix Racing with drivers Jean -Denis Delétraz, Mike Hezemans, Marcel Fässler, Fabrizio Gollin
Corvette Racing
After the withdrawal of the Corvette C5 -R at the end of the 2004 season, the factory team Corvette Racing began in 2005 with two brand new Corvette C6.R. Unlike its predecessor, which did not participate in selected events until it was fast and reliable, the Corvette C6.R denied in the first year a full season in the American Le Mans Series. Nevertheless, the season for Corvette Racing did not start as planned, as the new Aston Martin DBR9 also by Prodrive the season opener, which won 12 Hours of Sebring, and Corvette Racing thus gave his first loss since the end of the 2003 season. After the race, Prodrive returned to Europe and Corvette Racing was thus able to win all the races of the following season. Also known as Prodrive returned again in the last two races of the season, put the Corvette C6.R improved continuing its winning streak and won both races. The Corvette C6.R ventured out for the 24- hour race at Le Mans to Europe also, where Corvette Racing to beat the faster Aston Martin DBR9 by better reliability, and in its class to import a double victory in the overall standings and positions five and six occupied.
In 2006, Prodrive has focused on the American Le Mans Series and delivered over the whole season a tough fight with Corvette Racing. Although Corvette Racing took revenge for the defeat in the 12 Hours of Sebring in the previous year, but Prodrive could decide the further course of the season several races for themselves. Both teams were on the whole season on points close to each other, to Corvette Racing after the last race with a lead of three points won the championship for the second time in a row with the Corvette C6.R. At the 24 - hour race at Le Mans Aston Martin DBR9 again had reliability problems after they spearheaded the race, so that a Corvette C6.R finished the race in fourth place in the overall standings and again won the GT1 class.
After the 2006 season Prodrive returned to Europe in order to improve the Aston Martin DBR9 and prepare for Le Mans. This meant that Corvette Racing 2007 no serious opponents in the American Le Mans Series and had been in nine out of twelve races of the season the only participant in the GT1 class. Thus Corvette Racing won easily for the third time in a row with the Corvette C6.R in the championship. At the 24 - hour race at Le Mans, the Corvette C6.R were unable to repeat their previous successes, as the Aston Martin were now more durable and able to maintain their speed over the entire 24 hours. The Aston Martin DBR9 scored his first class victory and displaced Corvette Racing in second place.
In honor of the Canadian racer Ron Fellows sat Corvette Racing at Mosport a third vehicle, a. This vehicle had the red and white livery of the Corvette Z06 ' Ron Fellows Edition ", a limited version of the street car to honor Fellows participate in the racing program of Corvette Racing since its inception. Ron Fellows drove the vehicle at his home race.
In 2008, a similar picture in the American Le Mans Series as in the previous season showed. Corvette Racing occurred in seven out of eleven races the only participant in the GT1 class at every race and could decide for themselves. The championship the team won again by a wide margin. Also in the 24- hour race at Le Mans, the events, as the Aston Martin DBR9 repeated both just pointed Corvette C6.R Corvette Racing on the courts and for the second time to import the class win in a row.
Corvette Racing Corvette C6.R put the beginning of the season of 2009 in two races in the American Le Mans Series and pulled his vehicle back to the 24 - hour race at Le Mans, to focus on the new GT2 racing program. In his final race in Le Mans Corvette Racing once again showed the potential of the Corvette C6.R, as the vehicle - favored by the absence of Prodrive - again import a class victory.
Private teams
Like the Corvette C5 -R Corvette C6.R also arrived, which were previously used by the factory team, finally, when they were replaced by newer chassis in the hands of private teams. Unlike the Corvette C5 -R, from the first four years after the first car was sold to another team, the Corvette C6.R is already less than a year were sold after their debut. Corvette Motorsport based in Belgium currently manages the private teams who participate in races in Europe.
GLPK -Cars Port
GLPK -Cars Port was founded by Belgian entrepreneur Paul Kumpen and Toine Hezemans after a merger of PK Cars Cars Port and Port Holland. After 2005, a Corvette C5 -R has been used successfully in the FIA GT Championship, bought Toine Hezemans one of two Corvette C6.R, which was used in the 2005 season of Corvette Racing. GLPK -Cars Port supplemented his team around the vehicle and replaced so that in 2006 the Corvette C5 -R in the FIA GT Championship. The Driver Team Bert Longin, Anthony Kumpen and Mike Hezemans drove the car throughout the season and scored a victory at Le Castellet and a third place at the 24 - hour race at Spa-Francorchamps.
Cars Port Netherlands
In 2007 GLPK -Cars Port split up again and Carsport Holland teamed up with Jean -Denis Delétraz and his team Phoenix Racing. With the support of Marcel Fässler and Fabricio Gollin Cars Port Netherlands managed to ward the Vitaphone Racing Team and won the 24 - hour race at Spa-Francorchamps. Thus, at the same time the team scored the first overall win a Corvette for a 24 - hour race. Cars Port Netherlands scored another victory in Nogaro before it finished the season in fourth place in the team standings and third place in the drivers' standings.
In 2008, the team main sponsor GMAC was supported and then set up a second Corvette C6.R. GLPK - Port Cars drove a multiple pole positions and two race wins. After Marcel Fässler scored a race win and five pole positions, he was hired end of the 2008 season at the factory Corvette Racing team.
PK Carsport
After the split of GLPK -Cars Port In 2007, PK Carsport his Corvette C5 -R before the team moved to a 2008 Saleen S7R. 2009 came Cars PK port again with a Corvette C6.R to after the team once Carsport Holland's retreat from his previous partnership with Phoenix Racing merged. PK Carsport reached in the season already two wins, including the 24 -hour race in Spa- Francorchamps, in which for the second time in three years a Corvette C6.R was now victorious.
DKR Engineering
The Belgian team joined PSI Experience 2006 both in the French GT Championship and the Le Mans Series in its Erstaustragung. The team scored in the French GT Championship victory in ledenon, while the best result in the Le Mans Series was a third place at the 1000 km of Spa -Francorchamps. PSI Experience also launched the 24-hour race in Spa -Francorchamps, which finished it in fifth place. In Paul Ricard joined the team back in to a round of the FIA GT Championship and finished second behind the Corvette C6.R of GLPK -Cars Port.
2007 Corvette C6.R denied PSI's mainly the French GT Championship, while she stood with individual rounds of the FIA GT Championship and the 24 - hour race at Le Mans at the start. For the 2008 season PSI gave both vehicles to Dany Lallemand and Kendy Janclaes of DKR Engineering to start with mechanics of PSI Experience their own team.
In June 2009, DKR Engineering became the Sangari Team Brazil, the first Brazilian team in the FIA GT Championship, reshaped. DKR Engineering continues to provide technical support. The driver of the team, which made its debut at the 24 -hour race in Spa- Francorchamps, are Enrique Bernoldi and Roberto Streit. In Paul Ricard they scored their first race win.
Luc Alphand Aventures
Another customer, who has already acquired a Corvette C5 -R Corvette C6.R Luc Alphand bought a to use them in the Le Mans Series in addition to the Corvette C5 -R 2006. There, his team of Pratt & Miller received factory support for its European racing program. As part of the plant support launched Corvette Racing's Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta racer Luc Alphand Aventures for. 2007, the team with Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta went to contest the 24 -hour race in Spa- Francorchamps, where it reached the finish in sixth place.
In the 2008 season, the team succeeded, the Aston Martin DBR9 to beat the team of Modena in the Le Mans Series and both the team and the drivers' championship to decide for themselves. Luc Alphand decided to reduce the two vehicles of his team each separately, one in the FIA GT Championship and one in the Le Mans Series.
Selleslagh Racing Team
Patrick Salleslagh was the first buyer of a GT Corvette when he a Corvette C5 -R acquired in late 2003. Then the Selleslagh Racing Team in 2005 and 2006 won the Belgian GT Championship and also ruled the 24 - hour race at Zolder for themselves.
For the 2008 season the Selleslagh Racing team has now bought a Corvette C6.R and thus entered in the French GT Championship and the FIA GT Championship. With her victory in Monza Christophe Bouchut and Xavier Maassen drove the first victory in the FIA GT Championship for the team.
In the 2009 season put the Selleslagh Racing Team Corvette C6.R its still in the FIA GT Championship and in the French GT Championship in. In the FIA GT Championship, the vehicle is controlled by former PK -Cars port pilots Bert Longin and James Ruffier. In Portimão, they achieved their first race win of the season.
Pratt & Miller Corvette C6RS
The Pratt & Miller Corvette C6RS is a remodeling of the Corvette Z06, Corvette C6.R of which is similar to, and used parts of it. The vehicle manufactured by Pratt & Miller has a 8.2 -liter V8 engine from Katech Performance and has a maximum output of 750 hp and a maximum torque of 1112 Newton meters. The vehicle has a top speed of 203 miles per hour. Its production began in April 2008 and by the end of the year, 25 vehicles were sold.
Corvette C6.R GT2
On 9 September 2008 announced Steve Wesoloski, manager of GM's Corvette Racing Road Racing Group, and Doug Fehan, program manager of the racing Corvette Racing, that they GT1 Corvette C6.R 2009 in the class only in the first half of the season the American Le Mans Series will be using. After the 24 - hour race at Le Mans Corvette Racing Corvette C6.R is a newly developed one of the GT2 class in order to prepare for the 2010 season, in which the GT classes are restructured.
In the vehicle, a newly developed six -liter V8 engine comes with 470 horsepower, which. LS7.R on the seven -liter engine from the GT1 racing Agen, in which he makes 590 hp, for use Plans to reduce the engine for the 2010 season to 5.5 liters, have already been announced. The vehicle has the body of the new road car Corvette ZR1. In contrast to the GT1 race car, which had a frame of steel and ceramic brakes, come in the GT2 race car, a frame of aluminum, steel brakes, a smaller front splitter and a smaller rear wing is used, whereby the vehicle is close to the road car Corvette Z06.
The new GT2 racing car had its race debut. Though they competed at the American Le Mans Series at Mid-Ohio in 2009 in a new class with a new vehicle Jan Magnussen and Johnny O'Connell placed second in her first race and secured the third race at Mosport after a long battle with the Ferrari F430 of Risi Competizione their first class victory.