Corvette C6.R Officially Unveiled

American manufacturer GM released yesterday details and photos of their future GT2 racer, namely the Corvette C6.R. The car will see its official introduction at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 6, as it gets ready for the 2010 single GT class.

The C6.R is based on the Corvette ZR1 supercar, using the latter's body design, aerodynamic package, aluminum frame and chassis structure, steering system, windshield and other components. Of course, it has been modified to comply with the endurance racing requirements.

"Working in conjunction with the structure and chassis engineers in the Corvette production group, we designed, built and tested numerous examples before we finalized the configuration. We went through a similar process with the production Corvette group on the body design and

aero components. It was truly a collaborative effort between the production engineers and the race team," Corvette Racing engineering director Doug Louth said in a release.

The engine for the future Corvette GT racer is not quite ready yet, as GM says it is still developing a 5.5l small-block V8, which will be introduced at the beginning of the 2010 season. Until then, the Corvettes will use a 6.0l small block V8 (based on the 7.0l LS7.R). The current unit develops 470 horsepower and uses E85R ethanol racing fuel.

GM promises that despite the hardware changes brought to the car, the racing team will basically remain the same. "Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen will share the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, and Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta will drive the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6. R. They will be joined by Antonio Garcia and Marcel Fassler at Petit Le Man," said GM.