Delahaye Racing, located in Belgium, has purchased an ex-Graff Racing Corvette Z06.R GT3 to assault the 2011 Belcar Endurance Series. Fred Bouvy and Damien Coens have been confirmed as drivers. The team will campaign its new entry in all six 2011 races, including the Spa 24 Hours in June.
Several makes were evaluated-including the BMW Z4, the Mercedes SLS, and the Ferrari 430-before Delahaye committed to the Corvette. The team's chief engineer, Lionel Hansen, explained the choice:
"It's a championship-winning car in the FIA GT3 series. It is very fast, reliable, and easy to run."
Both drivers were Belcar champions in 2008 behind the wheel of a Ferrari. They have both driven Corvettes in the past.
"I've driven both the C5-R and the C6.R GT1 versions," said reigning Belgian Touring Car Series champion Bouvy. "The Corvette is a great product and we are hoping to regain the Belcar title and score a first-ever top-five finish at the Spa 24 Hours."
The Callaway Corvette, built in Leingarten, Germany, with no support from GM, continues to spread it winning ways around the world. For 2011 top teams are racing the Z06.R GT3 in Germany, Belgium, Dubai, England, Australia, Brazil, and Japan.
Graff Racing campaigned a...
Graff Racing campaigned a pair of Callaway Corvettes in the 2010 FIA GT3 and French GT championship series. Graff switched to Mercedes SLSs for 2011 and sold the two Vettes.
The striking Red Bull livery...
The striking Red Bull livery really shows off the lines of the Corvette. The Z06.R has been totally refurbished by the team and is ready for the '11 season.
From any angle the Corvette...
From any angle the Corvette looks ready to run. The car is being displayed at this week's SRO meeting in Paris, which kicks off the European racing season.