Onks and autocross champion...
Onks and autocross champion Danny Popp drove this highly modified ’99 FRC in the 2005 One Lap of America. The team surprised many of the top competitors by finishing Third overall in the then-6-year-old Corvette.
Inside, the car retains its stock instruments and factory carpet on the driver side to reduce cockpit heat. A full rollcage strengthens the chassis and protects the driver. The dry-sump oiling system was also moved into the passenger compartment for better weight balance. Race-ready, the car tips the scales at a hefty (for a race car) 3,300 pounds.
Races were held Saturday and Sunday for the eight STO entries, with 34 starters taking the green flag for both races. (STO runs in Group Six, which includes six other classes.) Onks qualified second in STO behind a full-race FIA GT3 BMW and ahead of a Ferrari 430 and a Viper coupe. He finished Third in both races after a hard-fought battle with the Ferrari and the BMW.
“I’m happy with the Corvette’s performance in the first races of the season,” he said afterwards. “We will continue to make changes to get the car more competitive so we can win the championship.” Based on what we saw, it’s clear that Jerry Onks has an excellent chance of bringing home the gold for Corvette in 2011.
This STO race car was built...
This STO race car was built from a crashed ’07 Z06 at Onks’ VetteSport shop in Smyrna, Tennessee.
The SCCA’s STO race category...
The SCCA’s STO race category requires competitors to retain their car’s stock bodywork, though limited aero aids are permitted. Notice the tarp covering the grass underneath the Z06.
The LS7 is equipped with long-tube...
The LS7 is equipped with long-tube headers and a slightly more aggressive cam. The bottom end is fitted with forged components, but the heads are stock.
The car’s interior retains...
The car’s interior retains much of its factory trim, including the dash and carpet, which helps reduce heat.
Wilwood provided the six-piston...
Wilwood provided the six-piston front and four-piston rear braking system for the Z06. The brakes are able to haul the 3,300-pound car down with minimal fade and have proved to be very effective.
Due to budget constraints,...
Due to budget constraints, Onks does his own work on the car. The relaxed schedule during the weekend allows him plenty of time to correct any minor issues that might arise.
Onks does his own computer...
Onks does his own computer tuning on the Z06. Here, he downloads a revised fuel map to the LS7 prior to the second race.
The four top STO competitors...
The four top STO competitors battle for the lead. The BMW meets the FIA’s GT3 specifications, so we were surprised to see it competing against relatively stock cars like Onks’ Vette. Clearly, the SCCA’s “Balance of Performance” rules fall well short of the FIA’s.
Onks is going to try stiffer...
Onks is going to try stiffer front springs to try to tame the weight transfer seen here during hard cornering.
Florida’s mild January weather...
Florida’s mild January weather brought out a large field of competitors for the year’s first double national race. Three Trans-Am cars led the Group Six field to the green flag.
The Florida sun sets as Onks...
The Florida sun sets as Onks waits for tech inspectors to confirm that his car meets regulations. It did, and he was awarded his Third Place division championship points. Overall, it was a good weekend for VetteSport racing.