Chevrolet does well in endurance racing take on BMW, Ferrari and Porsche in the GT class at Le Mans. The American cars are loved by fans for their noise and speed.
While the success or failure of a heavily revised 2014 model C7 Chevrolet Corvette will be much debated this week at the North American International Auto Show this week in Detroit, the success of Corvette’s racing program seems certain, as the provenC6.R will return for the 2013 season. The C7.R based on the new Sting Ray will make its racing debut in 2014.
Corvette Racing celebrated a clean sweep of the 2012 production-based American Le Mans Series GT with the team championship, and Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner captured the drivers’ championship with four wins in the nine races preceding Petit Le Mans, the 2012 ALMS season finale.
Chevrolet historically does well in overseas endurance racing by taking on BMW, Ferrari and Porsche in the GT class at Le Mans. For makers the minimum production figure is 100 models, and for small constructors 25. At least 300 engines must have been made. Cars with a carbon chassis are accepted, provided at least 300 have been built.
Corvette Racing the most successful team in ALMS history, with a total of 77 class wins, eight drivers’ championships, and nine manufacturer and team championships since 2001. The team has also taken seven class victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2001.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
