[VIDEO] WEC ICONS: The Corvette with the Deadly Sting – Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R

Jan 7, 2026

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[VIDEO] WEC ICONS: The Corvette with the Deadly Sting - Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R

For their latest video in their WEC ICONS series, the FIA World Endurance Championship Series takes a closer look at the Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R racer that competes in WEC series around the world. From Pratt Miller Motorsports is Ethan Gaynor – Customer Racing Program Manager – to talk all about it.

The heart of the Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R racer is based on the production Corvette Z06 LT6 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8, but with some specific parts adapted for racing. They take a production Z06 engine from Bowling Green Assembly, and then ship it to Detroit where its torn down, rebuilt, and then dyno-tested. Sal Leone, Corvette Racing’s powertrain technical lead, explains that the engine is nearly 80% production-based, with modifications including a bespoke oil sump and front cover to optimize the car’s center of gravity by lowering and slightly moving the engine forward.

One of the changes we saw from when the Corvette Racing moved from the GTE/GTLM platform to the GT3.R is that teams have more aerodynamic freedom. This includes underbody work for stability, dive planes for airflow management around the car, wheel arch exits which help to extract high pressure air from the wheel wells, and the pass-thru air vent in the hood that helps to route hot air over the top of the car instead of the sides where the engine air intakes are located.

Another point of interest includes the suspension and brakes. The GT3 racers using a double wishbone suspension on the both the front and rear and they are paired with multi-adjustable Penske dampers. The brakes use 33mm thick brake pads capable of lasting through a 24-hour endurance race.

With the 2026 racing season soon upon us, this video was a great refresher about how these latest racing machines are the culmination of engineering excellence combined with Corvette Racing’s 25+ years of heritage, and the passion shared by all members who contribute to the Corvette team success. That includes everyone from the original engine builders in Bowling Green to the highly skilled drivers who bring the cars across the finish line.

From FIA World Endurance Championship via YouTube:

In this video, we break down the technical DNA of Corvette’s LMGT3 contender in the FIA World Endurance Championship. From its engine architecture and chassis fundamentals to aerodynamics, balance, and endurance-focused setup, discover how Corvette has adapted its racing heritage to meet the demands of the WEC.