2005 - 2009 Corvette C6-R (2024)

Corvette C6-R Model Guide

This article was first published at Corvette-Racing-Tripod

The Corvette C6-R race car debuted at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March 2005 after a full year of rigorous testing and development. The two-car, factory-backed Chevrolet sports car program competed in the production-based GT1 class (formerly GTS) of American Le Mans Series as well as the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. The new race car was the most technically advanced sports car ever developed by General Motors, culling years of experience from the dominant Corvette C5-R as well as the advancements brought forth from the next-generation Corvette C6 and Z06 production models.

Like the C5-R before it, the Corvette C6.R started from production roots: the same hydroformed frame rails that roll down the assembly line at the Corvette plant in Bowling Green , Kentucky are sourced for the structure of the race car. With the C6 production model measuring shorter in overall length (but with a longer wheelbase), race car engineers faced a new set of numbers in which to achieve their goals to make the car faster on the 180-mph Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans and other high-speed circuits.

Adding a rear wing and a front splitter enabled the team to develop a package that achieved a lift-to-drag ratio better than that of the C5-R. Through a combination of Computational Fluid Dynamic studies and on-track testing, the end result will be an aerodynamically balanced package, tunable to the low drag demands of Le Mans or the high downforce requirements of Mosport.

The Engine is a 7.0L LS7-R built by Katech. Aprox 590 @ 5400 rpm and 640 @ 4600 rpm is on tap to thunder this C6.R past the competition.

2005 ALMS GT1 Class

2006 ALMS GT1 Class (50th Anniversary in International Road Racing)

2007 ALMS GT1 Class

2008 ALMS GT1 Class

2009 ALMS GT1 Class

The 2009 24hrs of Le Mans was the last appearance for the factory Corvette Racing team in the GT1 class C6.R. Corvette Racing’s #63 and 64 qualified 1-2 and privateer team Luc Alphand Adventures with their 2 C6.R’s qualified 3-4 in class. Mid race the #72 Luc Alpharnd Corvette got in an accident and was retired from the race. In the 22nd hour the #63 and #64 cars were mear seconds apart when the #64 car started having gearbox problems and could not make it back to the pits, therefore retiring from the race. This was only the 2nd time in 9 years that a factory Corvette acquired a DNF. In the end #63 finished victorious with the #73 privateer Corvette finishing 2nd in class.

This win was Corvette Racing’s 16th podium finish and 6th GT1 victory at Le Mans since 2000. It was the fourth Le Mans class win for O’Connell and Magnussen, and the second consecutive Le Mans GT1 victory for Garcia. O’Connell became the first American driver to win four class titles in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After this historic race the Corvette Racing program turned its focus to the GT2 class with an all new car that will debute at Mid-Ohio.