The much anticipated move from GT1 to GT2 next year brings a whole host of new challenges and obstacles for the Corvette Racing team. Having thoroughly dominated the GT1 class and pretty much driving out the competition over the last two years, GT2 will pit Corvette’s C6.R against some of the premier manufacturers and teams in sports car racing. Corvette Racing Program Director Doug Fehan recently shed some light on GT2 C6.R project during an ALMS conference call.
According to Fehan, the debut of the Corvette C6.R in GT2 will most likely happen at Mid-Ohio, the 7th race of the 12 race ALMS season. Some of the changes the GT2 Corvette will have over the GT1 car include a smaller rear wing, steel brakes and a “little less” horsepower. Like the GT1 Corvettes, the GT2 car will be powered by cellulosic E85.
“The engineering work is completed and we’ll be starting in the next week to 10 days actually assembling the car,” Fehan said. “We’ve done the simulations on it. We know what the rules are and we know what the other cars are capable of. When we finally come out we’ll do the best job we possibly can.”
Followers of the ALMS know all about the competitiveness of the GT2 class. Porsche and Ferrari are the two premier cars and BMW is returing with a M3 factory team as well. Also in the mix are Viper’s, Ford GT40s, Aston Martin and the LG Motorsports Corvette. Fehan warns that this will be a transition year and not to expect the Corvette C6.Rs to dominate immediately.
“Don’t look for us to dominate right out of the shoot – it’s not going not to happen,” Fehan said. “Rear-engine and mid-engine cars have a distinct advantage in that classification. We know the challenges that lie ahead for a front-engine car and we are prepared to meet them. Let’s not forget too that we spent the first two years struggling with (the GT1) car. It took us awhile to get us up to speed and we expect that same kind of learning curve. We are prepared for it.”
According GM’s previous press release on the move to GT2, Corvette Racing will run the GT1 car at Sebring and Long Beach (skipping St. Pete and Utah) and then will make its final appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The team will then skip Lime Rock to make theirGT2 class debut at the Acura Sports Car Challenge in Mid-Ohio. Should the debut happen at Mid Ohio, the team will have six races left in the ALMS schedule including the premier events Petit Le Mans and Monterey.
Bondurant School of High Performance Driving
Source:
AmericanLeMans.com
Related:
Corvette Racing: GT2 Will Never Be The Same
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