Displacement
10-05-2007, 07:29 PM
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/ 20071005/FREE/310050001/1024/FREE
Chevrolet will join the Porsche vs. Ferrari GT2-class battle in the American Le Mans Series next season.
The Corvette C6 is the work of Riley Technologies, builder of the all-conquering Riley MkXI Grand-Am Daytona Prototype. The program has the blessing of Chevrolet parent General Motors but the factory is not giving any direct technical or financial input.
"We believe this is a great car for the GT2 marketplace and offers a great opportunity for us to get back to the Le Mans 24 Hours," said Riley director Bill Riley. "We expect to be competitive, not just on the track, but also in the global market. This will be an affordable race car and with the dollar-euro exchange rate, will be cheap in Europe."
The first two cars have bought by Lou Gigliotti, a long time Corvette racer in the Trans-Am and Speed World Challenge series, for an attack on the ALMS. Riley explained that he also had considerable interest from further potential customers prior to the announcement of the car at Road Atlanta on Friday. Riley has the capacity to build four cars prior to the Sebring season opener in March, and another car before Le Mans in June.
GM road racing manager Steve Wesoloski stressed there were "no plans for Chevrolet to race in GT2 as a factory". However, he welcomed the news that "a company of Riley's ability" was developing the Corvette for the baby GT class.
The Riley Corvettes will powered by engines prepared by Bob Cronnin's CRD company, the leading tuner of Daytona Prototype Pontiac engines. A price tag of $471,000 has been set for the car.
Finally!
Porsche doesn't have a factory team, either, so this, for once, will be a fair fight. I can't wait to see this
Chevrolet will join the Porsche vs. Ferrari GT2-class battle in the American Le Mans Series next season.
The Corvette C6 is the work of Riley Technologies, builder of the all-conquering Riley MkXI Grand-Am Daytona Prototype. The program has the blessing of Chevrolet parent General Motors but the factory is not giving any direct technical or financial input.
"We believe this is a great car for the GT2 marketplace and offers a great opportunity for us to get back to the Le Mans 24 Hours," said Riley director Bill Riley. "We expect to be competitive, not just on the track, but also in the global market. This will be an affordable race car and with the dollar-euro exchange rate, will be cheap in Europe."
The first two cars have bought by Lou Gigliotti, a long time Corvette racer in the Trans-Am and Speed World Challenge series, for an attack on the ALMS. Riley explained that he also had considerable interest from further potential customers prior to the announcement of the car at Road Atlanta on Friday. Riley has the capacity to build four cars prior to the Sebring season opener in March, and another car before Le Mans in June.
GM road racing manager Steve Wesoloski stressed there were "no plans for Chevrolet to race in GT2 as a factory". However, he welcomed the news that "a company of Riley's ability" was developing the Corvette for the baby GT class.
The Riley Corvettes will powered by engines prepared by Bob Cronnin's CRD company, the leading tuner of Daytona Prototype Pontiac engines. A price tag of $471,000 has been set for the car.
Finally!
Porsche doesn't have a factory team, either, so this, for once, will be a fair fight. I can't wait to see this