Corvette could soon be returning to British GT competition for the first time in more than a decade.
After some serious tire-kicking of the Corvette Z06 GT3.R, Steller Motorsport says it has indeed purchased two of the 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8 cars built by Pratt Miller Motorsports, with delivery expected in January.
“We looked long and hard at the available options in GT3 before opting to join the Corvette family,” team principal Gary Blackham said.
The Z06 GT3.R, he noted, is “a stunning car” that is “beautifully engineered” and “designed from the off as a true endurance racer.”
“The team, and our customers that have seen the car already, are truly excited by the prospect of racing with one of the most successful brands in sportscar racing,” Blackham added.
“A Corvette hasn’t raced in British GT for more than 10 years. But the Z06 has already achieved much success in America, and I truly believe it can shake up the established order in the UK. It’s a championship we are keen to be part of subject to the right driver combination.”
Corvette to #BritishGT?! 🙏@Steller_Msport is switching to the Z06 GT3.R next season and eyeing programmes in the UK and wider Europe.
— 🇬🇧 #BritishGT 🏁 (@BritishGT) November 11, 2024
Just imagine this 5.5-litre V8 thundering around Oulton! 🤤
MORE https://t.co/GWY3BGSyg7 pic.twitter.com/OKwE2kchVO
After the switch to Corvette, the long-time Audi team will be looking to replicate its recent success, having won the British GT4 title in 2022 with Richard Williams and Sennan Fielding at the wheel of Audis.
With extensive testing planning after delivery of the Corvettes early next year, Steller has already revealed plans to “reveal its full 2025 racing programme in the near future, but is currently eyeing potential efforts in ELMS, Le Mans Cup, GT World Challenge, and British GT with a yet-to-be-confirmed group of drivers.”
“We look forward to working with Steller Motorsport starting in 2025 as we expand the global programme for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R,” said Jess Dane, Corvette Z06 GT3.R Program Manager.
HOWEVER, it wasn’t the last Corvette to contest #BritishGT full stop. That honour falls to this HDI Formido-run, Marcel Nooren/Kelvin Snoeks-driven C6 which joined us at Zandvoort in 2013.
— 🇬🇧 #BritishGT 🏁 (@BritishGT) November 11, 2024
It is technically a Dutch GT4 entry but ran in the same race as us. So take your pick… pic.twitter.com/wgGtyXMQvv
“The team has experienced success in various GT4 championships in Europe, and we are happy that Steller Motorsport has chosen the Corvette GT3 as it progresses up the GT ladder of racing throughout Europe.”
Steller joins TF Sport as the second British team to run Corvette GT3s. U.S. teams racing with Z06s are Pratt Miller Motorsports, DXDT Racing, and AWA.
Source:
SportsCar365.com and BritishGT.com
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