With big changes apparently afoot in the racing world, where will Corvette Racing wind up?
General Motors’ new Sports Car Racing Program Manager, Laura Wontrop Klauser, says the company is “coming up with a pretty solid plan” that “we’ll, hopefully, be able to share with all of our loyal fans in the very near future.”
GM is studying the situation because of IMSA’s expected move away from the GT Le Mans class where Corvette Racing is currently the only full-time manufacturer still in the game. Rumor has it that IMSA plans to replace GTLM next year with a new GT3-based Pro class for manufacturers.
“We’re going to have to pivot here and possibly adapt, and that’s what we’re working through,” Klauser told RACER. “We’re figuring out, ‘Where do we want to play?’ What makes sense for the company, for the brand? How do we incorporate all of this into a universal budget and get the best bang for our buck in terms of exposure, learnings, and fan interaction?”
She tells fans not to worry, though, because “Corvette Racing is not going anywhere in terms of a Corvette being on the grid somewhere because that’s our brand.
That’s what belongs out there, beating the pants off a Porsche, BMW, and Ferrari, and anybody else we want to compete against.”
The current GTLM class for factory teams has shrunk as other manufacturers have continued to withdraw from the category, leaving full-time Corvette Racing and part-time BMW as the only remaining competitors. Meanwhile, its subclass, GT Daytona, which features non-factory teams using customer cars built to GT3 regulations, has turned into IMSA’s largest category.
“It’s clear that what’s happening here in the racing space,” Klauser says, “is we’re at a point where the [manufacturers] are migrating to factory efforts in one class. And a lot of that I think is just the reality of [today’s] budgets.”
Klauser believes having Corvette Racing as the only factory committed to the entire GTLM season in 2022 isn’t what fans really want to see.
“We love the connection we have with the customers and the fans,” she said, “but we really don’t want to race against ourselves. We learn a lot when we do that; it’s not that we won’t or that it doesn’t make sense. But on the flip side, it’s a lot of fun when you’re out there with other competitors. That’s where the excitement is for us and for the fans; we know that.”
Since ACO’s 24 Hours of Lemans doesn’t invite GTD cars, Corvette Racing’s long history of competing there in GTLM cars could be in question if IMSA does eliminate GTLM at the end of the year.
“That’s a big deal on our end, too,” Klauser said. “A Le Mans presence has been another integral part of Corvette and Corvette Racing for sure. It’s the ACO sandbox, and they’re going to have to decide what they want to do. What we’re seeing on the GTLM side and over here in IMSA is not quite the same with what the WEC is seeing for Le Mans. But I think this whole concept is that the [manufacturers] are probably going to end up migrating to one class where they do factory efforts, and then it’s going to be a lot more customer-focused elsewhere. I’m sure that’s going to end up being a global impact.
“I know the ACO is aware of it because they keep an eye on all this stuff. I’m sure they’re trying to figure out what makes sense for them; all the sanctioning bodies want grids that are packed full of cars. It’s good for them, it’s good for the sport, it’s good for the show for those of us watching. We’ll see what they want to do there, but ultimately, the ball’s in their court.”
Because of the long timelines necessary to design and develop an LMDh program, Klauser says GM will make a decision soon.
“We’re keeping a close eye on it,” she said, “and hopefully we’ll be making some decisions here soon so that we can decide.”
Source:
Racer.com
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Chevrolet Names Laura Klauser as First Sports Car Racing Program Manager
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Love this pick.
She says: “We’re going to have to pivot here and possibly adapt, and that’s what we’re working through,” Klauser told RACER. “We’re figuring out, ‘Where do we want to play?’ What makes sense for the company, for the brand? How do we incorporate all of this into a universal budget and get the best bang for our buck in terms of exposure, learnings, and fan interaction?”
I damn near had a spit-take. “Universal budget.” And so it goes.
This is all GM speak for get ready for GM to drop manufacturing support for Corvette Racing. Just as Barra unceremoniously dumped beloved Doug Fehan for Klauser who has little if any race team management experience, they have no need to compete in a non Le Mans compliant class. They are totally focused on EV’s which have about the same racing excitement as golf carts.So, buckle up Corvette racing fans, manufacturer sponsorship looks to be over after this year!
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