Corvette Racing Wins GT1 in 24 Hours of Le Mans

Corvette Racing brought down the curtain on the GT1 era with a victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia scored Corvette Racing's sixth class victory in the world's biggest sports car race with the No. 63 Compuware Corvette C6.R. The winning Corvette completed 342 laps, racing to a six-lap margin of victory over the No. 73 Luc Alphand Aventures Corvette C6.R of Yann Clairay, Julien Jousse and Xavier Maassen. The No. 64 Compuware Corvette C6.R of Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, and Marcel Fassler retired from the lead in the 22nd hour with an apparent gearbox problem.

Today's win was Corvette Racing's 16th podium finish at Le Mans since 2000. It was the fourth Le Mans class win for O'Connell and Magnussen, and the second consecutive Le Mans GT1 victory for Garcia. O'Connell became the first American driver to win four class titles in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"When you look at the Americans who have won here multiple times, they're all important figures in motorsports history," O'Connell said. "To achieve my fourth win with Corvette Racing, driving a sports car that's an American icon, it's hard to put that into words. There is nothing more difficult and more rewarding than winning here, and sharing it with two awesome drivers like Jan and Antonio."

The two Corvettes waged a fierce battle throughout 22 of the 24 hours, never separated by more than one lap. The pole-winning No. 63 Corvette C6.R led from the start for 18 hours and 52 minutes. Beretta then put the No. 64 Corvette C6.R in front, passing Garcia on a restart following a safety car period. Garcia regained the lead at 19:23 when Beretta pitted; the No. 64 was back at the front following a pit stop for O'Connell to replace Garcia. The 21st hour saw an intense duel between O'Connell and Fassler with the cars dicing around the entire 8.47-mile circuit.

"It was a great race, but a shame that the No. 64 Corvette was not there at the finish," said Garcia. "We raced really, really hard for 22 hours. We were racing fair, and we were all going 100 percent. The full stint I did fighting with Olly after the safety car came in was great."

At 21:36, Fassler radioed the crew that he was experiencing shifting problems. The gearbox problem intensified, and the car was stranded near the pit lane entrance when it lost drive to the rear wheels. In contrast, the No. 63 Corvette had a trouble-free run throughout the grueling 24-hour race, making 32 pit stops and never going into the garage for repairs. O'Connell and Garcia drove the closing stints in the race when Magnussen became ill.

"It was a good fight," said Fassler. "Sure it was difficult to race your teammate hard, but when we went out of the chicane he was really fair and he left me space. I enjoyed leading the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and I came very close to reaching one of the goals I want to achieve in my life. I was only two hours away, but suddenly I smelled some gearbox oil. Then something broke quickly before I could get back to the pits. I was very disappointed for the whole team and my teammates. All of them did a really good job. There were no mistakes, and they deserved a victory as well. In the end, it's important for Corvette Racing that they have a Le Mans win with the No. 63 Corvette, and I have to congratulate them because it was a tough fight."

This race marked the end of the GT1 era for Corvette Racing that began in 1999. Since then, Corvette Racing has become America's premier production sports car team, winning 77 races and eight consecutive American Le Mans Series championships.

"When you look at all aspects of the close of the GT1 category as we know it today, it is an unequivocal testament to the commitment of a corporation that recognizes the value of motorsports from a marketing and technological perspective," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "It's also representative of all the people who have been here since the beginning, who dedicated themselves to taking Corvette forward. At the end of the day, today's victory is emblematic of what American teamwork and American spirit is about."

Corvette Racing will make the move to the GT2 category in its next event, the Acura Sports Car Challenge at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on August 6-8. The two-hour, 45-minute race is scheduled to start at 2:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 8. The race will be televised same-day tape-delayed on NBC at 4 p.m. ET.

2009 Corvette line-up

Corvette C6 Coupe and Convertible

The introduction of the larger, more powerful, 6.2 litre LS3 V8 engine at the start of 2008 has boosted both the performance and the popularity of the Corvette C6. The small-block V8 is rated at 325 kW (437 hp) and 586 Nm of torque, giving a top speed of 306 km/h and is available in both the Corvette Coupe and Convertible with the choice of six-speed manual and six-speed paddle shift automatic transmission.

It has ensured that the sixth-generation Corvette is the most successful ever sold in Europe.
Since the C6 model made its European debut at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, around 6000 have been sold by Corvette Europe distributors. A series of detail enhancements are set to ensure that the success story continues.

The Corvette principles of a performance car that is agile, ‘placeable’ and responsive in spirited driving, while at the same time luxurious and comfortable in daily driving are further enhanced for 2009 model Corvettes with speed-sensitive, variable ratio power steering, which reduces sensitivity around the straight ahead position, enhancing high-speed stability while at the same time aiding steering response at higher cornering angles. Additional refinements include changes to the ABS and traction control software, and active handling hardware.

The Corvette Coupe also features as an option an one-piece transparent removable roof panel, complementing the body shape which ensures that the Coupe, at 0.28 coefficient of drag, remains the most aerodynamic Corvette built. The body shape features racing-developed anti-lift characteristics that improve high-speed stability.

The Corvette Convertible features a power-operated soft top, utilising a single-button control to complete the opening or closing cycle in just 18 seconds. The Corvette’s structure, including an aluminum windshield frame, was designed using extensive computer airflow models to improve top-down quietness – especially for noise frequencies in the range of passenger conversations.

The Luxury package, optional on the C6 Coupe and standard on the Convertible includes a memory package for the heated seats and power telescoping steering column, a head-up display including G-force meter, a Bose® 7-speaker audio system and light-sensitive, auto dimming rear view mirrors. New colours include Cyber Gray and the option of Competition Gray alloy wheels to further enhance the Corvette’s exterior appearance.

Corvette Z06

The Corvette Z06, developed alongside the Corvette C6.R race car, combines the attributes that have made the sixth-generation Corvette a sales success across Europe with raw power, endurance and race-winning know-how.

At the heart of the Z06 is a 7.0 litre V8, LS7 engine that delivers 377 kW (512 hp) at 6,300 rpm and 637 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm. In a car weighing 1,418 kg, that adds up to a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 3.9 seconds in first gear and a top speed of 320 km/h. For 2009, the dry sump oil tank is increased from 9.1 to 11.9 litres.

Among the defining exterior features of the Corvette Z06 for 2009 are new Blade Silver and Cyber Gray exterior colors and a new 10-spoke Spider design for the 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels. Available as standard in Silver, Competition Gray or polished finish wheels are optionally available.

The interior of the Corvette Z06 receives detail enhancements including unique Z06 sill plates and more color in the interior and seats. A power hatch pull down adds to ease of use.

Derived from the Corvette racing program, the Z06 is a totally unique vehicle that has its own powertrain, body structure and chassis system, and a different body structure compared to Corvette Coupe and Convertible.

Fine tuning of the Corvette Z06 chassis for 2009 includes changes to the Bosch braking, ABS, traction control and to the active handling softwear and hardware. Speed-sensitive, variable ratio power steering has now been incorporated to reduce sensitivity around the straight ahead position, while aiding response at higher steering angles.

Corvette ZR1

The Corvette ZR1, which made its European debut at the Salon d’Automobile in Geneva in March is quite simply the ultimate. The most powerful road-going Corvette ever built, the ZR1 car will come to the European market this year in a limited number.

ZR1 brings together the track technology and engineering refinement of carbon-fiber, ceramics and electronics in a distinctive design, powered by the LS9 supercharged 7.0L V8 engine developing 476 kW (647 hp), and 807 Nm of torque. It gives a maximum speed of 330km/h, yet also offers surprisingly smooth drivability when required at low speeds.

One of the secrets of the ZR1’s performance is the large, positive-displacement supercharger with a new, four-lobe rotor design, plus an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature. The engine is backed by a new six-speed manual transmission and a twin-disc clutch.

The ZR1 is built on the same aluminum-intensive chassis as the Corvette Z06 and features similar independent SLA front and rear suspension units, with aluminum upper and lower control arms. Magnetic Selective Ride Control is standard and tuned specifically for the ZR1. The system’s ability to deliver a compliant ride with nearly instantaneous damping adjustments allowing a surprisingly supple ride that still delivers cornering grip of more than 1g.

The ZR1 braking system features brake rotors made of a carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide ceramic material, with low mass and high resistance to wear and heat. Six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers, are each painted a ZR1-exclusive blue, visible through the ZR1’s exclusive wheels: 20-spoke alloy rims, 19 inches in diameter in the front and 20 inches in the rear. They come standard with a Sterling Silver paint finish. Chrome versions are optional.

The exterior styling of the ZR1 is instantly recognizable. It has a raised, carbon-fiber hood that incorporates a clear, polycarbonate window providing a view of the top of the engine. Widened, carbon-fiber front fenders with dual lower vent and a full-width, body-color rear spoiler incorporating the center high-mounted stop lamp, are also unique to the ZR1. The interior builds on the Corvette’s dual-cockpit heritage, with specific cabin features including ZR1-logo sill plates, headrest embroidery, boost gauge, Head-Up Display and lightweight seats.

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