2013 60th Anniversary Corvette ZR1 To Pace 96th Indianapolis 500

Photo Credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

After weeks of anticipation, we learned this morning that the 2013 60th Anniversary Corvette ZR1 will be the official pace car of the 96th Indianapolis 500. This is the first time the Corvette ZR1 has earned the role as the pace setter and with its 638 horsepower, it’s the most powerful production car ever pace the Indy 500.

The 2013 Corvette ZR1 chosen for the pace car features the 60th Anniversary package which is Arctic White with a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior. The anniversary package also contains a full-length racing stripes in Pearl Silver Blue as well as special badging, gray-painted brake calipers and the “60th” logo on the wheel center caps, steering wheel and seat headrests.

This is the 23rd time a Chevrolet has paced the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and the 11th time for Corvette.

“Corvette embodies pure performance, so the ZR1 is a perfect car to pace the most prestigious auto race in the world,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. “Chevrolet is a great partner of the Speedway, and we share in the excitement of the upcoming 60th anniversary of the iconic Corvette brand. It’s even more meaningful to see a Chevrolet pacing the field at Indy since Chevy has returned as an engine supplier for the IZOD IndyCar Series for the first time since 2005.”

Said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports: “This is a truly momentous year for Chevrolet when it comes to performance, with our continued success on and off track, and especially with our return to the IndyCar Series, powering some of the fastest cars on the circuit. I can’t think of a better way to mark the 60th Anniversary of Corvette than having it lead the starting field of the Indianapolis 500.”

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful Chevrolet ever produced. Thanks to its supercharged 6.2 liter LS9 engine that generates 638 horsepower and a liberal use of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber that brings the curb weight of the car to 3,353 pounds, the ZR1’s power to weight ratio is just 5.2 pounds per horsepower. The ZR1 is also the most technologically advanced Chevrolet built as well, utilizing Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Launch Control system with Performance Track Management, a four-channel ABS system and Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brake rotors.

The 96th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at noon (ET) Sunday, May 27. The driver of the Pace Car will be announced soon but we are hearing that celebrity chef Guy Fieri may have the inside track on the selection process.

Source:
Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Related:
[PICS] 2011 Brickyard 400 Grand Sport Corvette Festival Car
[VIDEO] Marriage Proposal Features a Convertible Corvette and the Indy 500
More Photos of the 2009 Indy 500 Festival Corvettes

Here is the official press release from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 To Pace 96TH Indianapolis 500

A 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will lead the starting field of the 96th Indianapolis 500 to the green flag Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With 638 horsepower, the Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful production car ever to serve as the Pace Car during the Indianapolis 500.

This will be the 23rd time a Chevrolet has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and the 11th time a Corvette is serving as the Pace Car, both event records. The 2013 model year will be historic for Corvette, marking its 60th anniversary and the final year of production for the current generation.

“Corvette embodies pure performance, so the ZR1 is a perfect car to pace the most prestigious auto race in the world,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. “Chevrolet is a great partner of the Speedway, and we share in the excitement of the upcoming 60th anniversary of the iconic Corvette brand. It’s even more meaningful to see a Chevrolet pacing the field at Indy since Chevy has returned as an engine supplier for the IZOD IndyCar Series for the first time since 2005.”

Said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports: “This is a truly momentous year for Chevrolet when it comes to performance, with our continued success on and off track, and especially with our return to the IndyCar Series, powering some of the fastest cars on the circuit. I can’t think of a better way to mark the 60th Anniversary of Corvette than having it lead the starting field of the Indianapolis 500.”

A supercharged, 6.2-liter LS9 engine generating 638 horsepower helps to create incredible performance for the ZR1. Of all mass-production companies, Chevrolet is the leader in carbon fiber use, with the lightweight material used for structural components on the ZR1, including the front fenders, hood, roof, front splitter, rocker panels and floor pans. With a curb weight of 3,353 pounds, the ZR1 features a power-to-weight ratio of just 5.2 pounds per horsepower. The ZR1 also features advanced technology such as Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Launch Control system with Performance Track Management, a four-channel ABS system and Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brake rotors.

As a result, the ZR1 is the fastest Chevrolet ever produced, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 205 mph and lapping the famed Nurburgring Nordschleife (“north loop”) in 7:19.63.

The Corvette Pace Car features an exterior paint scheme and full body length stripe similar to that of the 60th Anniversary Package being made available on all 2013 Corvette models. The 60th Anniversary Package features an Arctic White exterior with a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior with suede accents. Convertible models will have a blue top.

Additional content includes a ZR1-style rear spoiler, special badging, gray-painted brake calipers and the “60th” logo on the wheel center caps, steering wheel and seat headrests. An optional graphics package adds full-length racing stripes in Pearl Silver Blue, including a tonal stripe stitched into the convertible top, extending the graphic theme over the roof.

For 2013, all Corvettes will feature 60th Anniversary badges on the fascias and the “waterfall” panel on convertible models, as well as 60th logos in the instrument panel gauge cluster and on the sill plates.

The 96th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at noon (ET) Sunday, May 27. The driver of the Pace Car will be announced soon.

The first Chevrolet selected as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car was the 1948 Fleetmaster Six. The brand would go on to lead the racing pack more than any other manufacturer. Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.