Photo: Chevrolet
For the past two years, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 has been doing the rounds in off-road races across the U.S. Chevy is using the opportunity for engineering development and validation of the truck, and it loves it so much that starting month the truck’s bigger brother, the Silverado, is joining the fun.
Chevrolet announced on Thursday (October 10) the off-road racing debut of the Silverado in the Best in the Desert racing series, starting this weekend in the 1200 Stock class of the Laughlin Desert Classic. Specifically, we’re talking about an LT Trail Boss Silverado that packs a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp on tap and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Significant modifications were made to the truck's underside to make it able to handle the brutal courses of the series: the long travel suspension, front and rear jounce shocks, and dampers, all have been tampered with.
When it comes to dampers, the Silverado uses a prototype, high-capacity Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSVTM) solution first used in the production Colorado ZR2 and later on the race truck. Their size was of course increased to handle the bigger body of the Colorado.
The dampers are not the only prototype parts used in this particular Chevy. Specially-developed rear shock skids, 35-inch off-road tires, and new skid plates are also on the list.
“Off-road racing is just brutal on vehicles and a single race puts more wear and tear on trucks than most vehicles will experience in years,” said about the reasons behind the decision Mark Dickens, chief engineer, Government Programs, Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsports.
“That makes off-road racing a valuable test bed to evaluate new components. What we learn while racing informs everything from future performance parts and accessories to GM Defense projects and production vehicle changes.”
The addition of the Silverado to the Best in the Desert series means that Chevy will have two pickups at the starting line in the coming events. Both will also try and prove their worth in six races next year.
Significant modifications were made to the truck's underside to make it able to handle the brutal courses of the series: the long travel suspension, front and rear jounce shocks, and dampers, all have been tampered with.
When it comes to dampers, the Silverado uses a prototype, high-capacity Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSVTM) solution first used in the production Colorado ZR2 and later on the race truck. Their size was of course increased to handle the bigger body of the Colorado.
The dampers are not the only prototype parts used in this particular Chevy. Specially-developed rear shock skids, 35-inch off-road tires, and new skid plates are also on the list.
“Off-road racing is just brutal on vehicles and a single race puts more wear and tear on trucks than most vehicles will experience in years,” said about the reasons behind the decision Mark Dickens, chief engineer, Government Programs, Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsports.
“That makes off-road racing a valuable test bed to evaluate new components. What we learn while racing informs everything from future performance parts and accessories to GM Defense projects and production vehicle changes.”
The addition of the Silverado to the Best in the Desert series means that Chevy will have two pickups at the starting line in the coming events. Both will also try and prove their worth in six races next year.
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