A total of 158 Corvettes filled...
A total of 158 Corvettes filled this year's sold-out Sebring Corvette Corral.
Vette fans swarm to any race that features the Corvette Racing team, a tendency that has not gone unnoticed by GM marketing officials. To take advantage of this captive audience, the company leases a prime spot on Sebring International Raceway's Turn 17 during each year's ALMS season opener. The site is converted into a Corvette Corral complete with ample parking, a large tent with closed-circuit television, and plenty of tables and chairs to allow guests to escape the Florida sun. A large private grandstand located outside the tent provides an excellent view of the C6.Rs doing battle during the race. The four-day package costs $165 for one guest ($265 for two) and includes track admission, infield corral parking, light refreshments, and lunch on Saturday.
Each year GM tries to unveil a new Corvette model at the Corral, and this year was no exception. Product Manager Harlan Charles and Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter unveiled the '11 Carbon Z06 on Friday afternoon, spending more than an hour describing the car's unique details and answering questions from the audience. As we noted in our last issue, the Carbon comes with the ZR1's ceramic brakes, wheels, Michelin tires, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, rear spoiler, and carbon front splitter and side rocker panels. It also features a special raised carbon hood that should provide enough room for an aftermarket supercharger. The splitter, rocker panels, wheels, and rearview mirrors are painted glossy black.
Corvette fans formed a long...
Corvette fans formed a long line and patiently waited their turn at the Corvette Racing driver autograph session. Such intense fan interest helps keep the racing program alive.
The engine remains at 505 hp but is fitted with carbon fuel-rail covers and a specially tuned exhaust. The interior is upgraded with gray suede inserts on the seats, armrests, shifter, parking brake, steering wheel, and door pulls. Each seat is embossed with the Corvette emblem and the word "Carbon" on the headrests, and all of the interior stitching matches the car's exterior color. Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue are the only two colors offered for this limited-build (500 cars) Z06.
Pricing is expected to fall between the standard Z06 and the ZR1. The Carbon's weight will remain close to the current Z06's, since the lightweight carbon parts offset the added poundage of the ride-control system.
If enjoying the Sebring race from prime vantage point, learning about the latest Corvette hardware, and spending time with fellow Vette devotees sounds like your idea of fun, the Corvette Corral could be for you. Because of the limited space involved, early registration is recommended. Visit www.corvettemuseum.com for more details.
Taking center stage at this...
Taking center stage at this year's Corral was the '11 Z06 Carbon. Corvette marketing and engineering personnel were on hand to provide an overview of the car and answer questions from attendees.
Each of the 500 Carbons built...
Each of the 500 Carbons built will come with an uninstalled pair of door decals. The design pays homage to the 50th anniversary of the Cunningham Corvette that won its class at Le Mans in 1960.
The package includes black...
The package includes black ZR1 wheels featuring the Carbon logo in red. Michelin Zero Pressure tires and ZR1 carbon ceramic brakes are also standard.
The front splitter and side...
The front splitter and side rocker panels are painted glossy black and feature Corvette emblems embedded into the carbon.
The LS7 engine will remain...
The LS7 engine will remain at 505 hp but features carbon fuel-rail covers. (Don't worry: the "OK" assembly-line sticker will not appear on the production version.)
The interior features special...
The interior features special covers for the pedals, along with suede surfaces for the steering wheel, armrest, shifter, parking brake, door grabs, and seat inserts. All of the interior stitching will match the car's exterior color, and the "Carbon" name and Corvette logo will be imprinted in the seat headrests.