Drag racers interested in purchasing one of the rare 2017 COPO Camaro models must register at Chevrolet.com/COPO by Dec. 15, 2016. An independent third party will randomly select from the interested customers. Call it a rolling quarter-mile Lottery. Those selected will be contacted in the first quarter of 2017.
Camaro drivers took seven class wins out of eight NHRA Stock classes and a Super Stock class win at the 2016 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. COPO Camaro racer Jeff Lopez was the Stock Eliminator champion.
The 2017 COPO Camaro program builds from a revival in 2012. It is philosophically based on the special-order high-performance Camaro models created in 1969 to win on the drag strip. Chevrolet’s 2017 COPO Camaro show car — serial number 01 of 69 — was introduced at the SEMA show this week. The COPO Camaro offers the first look at the factory-built Stock Eliminator race car program for 2017. It has a supercharged 350 engine (~600 horsepower), custom Weld racing wheels and an “anodized” concept version of the production Hyper Blue Metallic exterior color. It will be sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction in January 2017, with proceeds to benefit United Way.
The best performance to date:
- 60-foot time of 1.425 seconds
- Eighth-mile time of 6.764 seconds at 100.85 mph
- Quarter-mile time of 10.685 seconds at 125.73 mph
When it comes to horsepower, Camaro racers can select from a variety of supercharged and naturally aspirated LS- and LT-family engines, including a supercharged 350 (5.7L), a naturally aspirated 427 (7.0L) engine and an LT-based, direct-injected 376 (6.2L) engine. The engines are backed by an SFI-approved ATI TH400 three-speed automatic transmission.
“More than simply achieving quick ETs in the Camaro, we are exploring the supporting components that help the car to go quicker with great durability,” said Mark Dickens, director, GM Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsports Engineering. “We’ve tested stronger axles and chassis components aimed at improving launch and traction attributes.”
Engineers have made more than 100 passes down the quarter-mile with the development car, including the evaluation of DOT-approved racing and slick tires and a variety of drivetrain combinations.”