Completing GM’s trifecta this week of news about limited production Corvettes with ties to racing, I came across an international news story that GM may also be preparing to launch a special edition Corvette for the European Market. Celebrating the success of Corvette Racing at LeMans, a very limited series of 250 “Victory Edition” Corvettes will be produced. The Victory Edition Corvettes will be available in either Black or Velocity Yellow with Competition Grey wheels. Highlighting the interior are two-tone leather seats and Corvette flag emblems, a carbon fiber look interior trim and the unique numbered “Victory Edition” badge. The Corvette Coupes will be powered by the LS2 6L V8 with the choice of a 6-speed manual or the 6-Speed paddle shift with automatic mode. Every “Victory Edition” Corvette will get a numbered car identification interior badge. Buyers are invited to participate in a 1 day free Corvette Drivers Training event with professional instructors at selected race tracks across Europe. The VE Corvette will be available in Europe at the beginning of March 2007. Last year there were 1,250 Corvettes sold in Europe, so based on recent trends, the “Victory Edition” Corvettes could possibly comprise 20-25% of total Corvettes sold. No official word yet on the wording on the badge, but we’re hoping for something that says “Corvette Kicks Ass.”
Source:
DueMotori.com Related:
Corvette Convertible to Pace Indianapolis 500
GM Confirms Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 Technorati Tags:
Corvette | LeMans | Europe

For the ninth time in its history including the last 4 years in row, Corvette will serve as the official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500. Since making its debut at the brickyard in 1978, Corvette has also paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. This year’s 91st Indianapolis 500 takes place on May 27, 2007. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Chevrolet will be producing 500 special-edition replicas for sale to the public. This will be the first time since 1998 that Chevrolet has produced a replica Indy 500 Pace Cars. Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager said “Chevrolet and Corvette have a long, storied history at Indianapolis, and the new Pace Car special edition commemorates that heritage with what will surely be an instant collectible.”

The 2007 Indianapolis Pace Car Replica Corvette features:

Atomic Orange exterior color, including door handles

Indianapolis 500 exterior graphics – including gold ribbon graphics that flow outward from the front fender vents and “Indianapolis 500″ door logos

Special Indianapolis 500 fender badges

Z06 rear spoiler

New aluminum “split-spoke” wheels in Sterling Silver

Ebony seats with embroidered Indianapolis 500 logos

Interior trim plate and pods painted Atomic Orange

Atomic Orange engine covers All of the Pace Car replicas are equipped with the Z51 performance package. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic optional. The navigation system with Bose audio and OnStar also are standard.
Source:
General Motors
Indianapolis 500 Related: Corvette to Pace 2007 Daytona 500 Technorati Tags:
Corvette | Indianapolis 500 | Pace Car

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The much talked-about Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Z06 Corvette will make its debut at the Chicago Auto Show later this month GM announced today. Confirming the rumors that started late last year, the signature Z06 Corvette features the Z06 with Artic White exterior, red interior and the long standing red driver side GT1 hash marks that first appeared 11 years ago on the limited edition Grand Sports. Only 399 of the hand-signed special-edition Corvettes will be offered. In other words, when they’re gone, they’re gone. Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager said this about Ron Fellows:

“Ron Fellows is also a part of Chevrolet’s racing heritage, and he has been instrumental in the remarkable success of the Corvette Racing team in the American Le Mans Series. The special signature-series Z06 model that bears his name will forever link him to one of the greatest eras in factory racing, which has produced six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships, and counting.”

The Special Edition Corvette will be on display alongside the new Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Corvette Convertible at the Chicago Auto Show February 8th – 18th. GM Press Release: The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06: Marking his championship tenure with Corvette Racing’s GT1-class domination in the ALMS, Corvette racing living legend Ron Fellows is celebrated with a specially prepared 2007 Corvette Z06 production model. All are distinguished by Arctic White paint (including the door handles) that is accented with a racing-style fender stripe and Ron Fellows’ autograph. The front fender graphics are reminiscent of the identifying graphics of the Corvette GT1 race car. They feature double Monterey Red Metallic stripes with Machine Silver borders and Fellows’ autograph in a contrasting Victory Red shade, along with the callouts of the championship years when he was at the wheel. There is also a maple leaf logo motif incorporated with the graphics, a nod to Fellows’ Canadian heritage. Indeed, the red-over-white color scheme of the car’s paint and graphics represents Canada’s colors. This special Corvette Z06 is the first signed special edition in Corvette’s 54-year history, and is the first Arctic White Z06 ever offered. Only 399 are planned for production: approximately 300 for the United States, 33 for Canada and 66 for other export markets. Exterior cues include a full-width racing spoiler and a unique windshield banner. Additional standard equipment includes the well-equipped 2LZ package and chrome wheels. Special interior appointments include:

Red seats, center console, door panels and instrument panel

Red, leather-covered armrest with a Corvette-signature “cross flags” logo that is hand-signed and numbered by Ron Fellows

Tech pattern interior trim An accomplished road racer, Ron Fellows is inextricably woven into the Corvette Racing team’s success. He helped test and develop the first Corvette C5.R race car and recorded the team’s first win in 2000. Fellows also grabbed the ALMS GTS class championship in 2002 and shared that position in 2003 and ’04. Fellows has been a part of all six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships for Chevrolet, and was voted the most popular ALMS driver in 2004 and ’05. Additionally, he has slipped behind the wheel of NASCAR Nextel Cup Chevy Monte Carlo SS race cars when the series hits road courses. He’s also scored a pair of NASCAR Craftsman Truck series wins, three NASCAR Busch Series wins, 19 SCCA Trans Am wins and was the GM Player’s Challenge champion in 1989. The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 will be available this spring. It carries an MSRP of $77,500, including destination. OnStar and the navigation system are the only options; and when equipped with them, the price is $79,945.
Source:
General Motors Related: Is A Ron Fellows Edition Z06 Corvette On The Way? Technorati Tags:
Corvette | Ron Fellows | Z06 | Chicago

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Baseball’s “Iron Man” Cal Ripkin Jr will be behind the wheel the 2007 Corvette Coupe Pace Car for the 49th Annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 18th. The Pace Car features the Daytona 500 logo on the side and is highlighted by red, white and blue side accents. A red Chevrolet bowtie is presented on the hood.

“The Daytona 500 is one of the most storied sporting events in the country and I am thrilled and honored to be a part of it. NASCAR drivers are tremendous athletes and I look forward to being in that environment,” said Ripken.

Being behind the wheel of a Corvette on a super speedway ain’t all that bad of an environment either. We’re working on getting photos of the Daytona Corvette Pace Car. Stay tuned for details.
Source:
WhoWon.com Related:
Corvette to Pace 2007 Daytona 500 Technorati Tags:
Corvette | Daytona 500 | NASCAR

With little fanfare (and no press anywhere), a specially-outfitted Corvette was unveiled as the 2007 Daytona 500 Pace Car. The Corvette features the Daytona 500 logo on the side and is highlighted by red, white and blue side accents. A red Chevrolet bowtie is presented on the hood. The unveiling was earlier this month as part of NASCAR’s Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder Fan Fest. Standing with Corvette in this photo are NEXTEL Cup drivers Tony Raines and Jeff Green and Daytona Speedway President Robin Braig. 2007 marks the fourth straight year that a Corvette has paced the Daytona 500, as well as the 35th straight year that a GM model has paced the field.
Source:
Daytona International Speedway via CorvetteConti.com Related
2006 Daytona 500 Z06 Corvette Pace Car Photos Technorati Tags:
Corvette | Daytona 500 | NASCAR