Happy Fourth of July.

Do you have a patriotic-themed Corvette? Send us your photos and details.

GM will celebrate its 100th anniversary in an unorthodox way: by releasing a 30-car run of special-edition Corvettes for the Japanese market.

Dubbed the Corvette S-Limited, the car will be available in black or white (15 examples of each will be built) and come with a number of model-specific cosmetic fillips. These include a custom, leather-wrapped interior; mesh inserts for the side coves, grille, and exhaust plate; and a "racing" spoiler. A 430hp LS3 is the only available powerplant. The S-Limited will carry a price tag of 7,980,000 yen (around $75,300) when it goes on sale July 4th.

Chevy is launching an on-line sweepstakes on chevy.com/rocks that gives race fans a chance to win the ultimate garage – complete with a brand new car or truck

Racing season is in full swing. So to celebrate, Chevy is giving fans the chance to win the ultimate garage, simply by logging onto chevy.com/rocks and entering the Chevy Rocks your Garage Sweepstakes.   When it’s all said and done, one lucky race fan could have a parking space even Jimmie and Junior would be proud of.

 Chevy will seriously rock the winner’s garage.  At the center of it all, a brand new vehicle to park in the garage – the winner’s choice of a Chevy Impala SS or a Silverado LTZ.  But that’s just the beginning, the lucky winner will win a $5000 Lowes gift card. That’s enough cash it overhaul your entire garage with everything from power tools to work chests.  We’ll also throw in a $1000 adidas gift card and a new fridge stocked full with AMP energy drink.

But the excitement doesn’t end at the garage door.  Once the garage is decked out, it’s time to join the pros trackside. The winner gets a trip for two to the Richmond International Raceway… where it’s time to rub elbows with Dale Jr. and Jimmie Johnson.

And since it’s the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, Chevy is throwing in backstage passes so that lucky race fan can go backstage meet the band.

 Race fans can also win instant daily prizes on chevy.com/rocks.  Visit www.chevy.com/rocks for official rules with complete eligibility, prize descriptions and other details. Chevy Rocks your Garage ends August 4th, 2008.

General Motors, the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) announced today that they are joining forces to encourage drivers to follow their vehicle manufacturer's recommendations on oil changes, which for millions of GM vehicles could be much longer than the decades-old standard of 3,000 miles between changes.

This summer, General Motors will support public outreach efforts by the Cal/EPA and the CIWMB to help motorists understand how frequently they need to change their engine oil, and the proper methods of doing so.

The traditional 3,000-mile oil change recommendation was based on engine and oil technologies of the past. Today's engines are built to stricter tolerances using advanced technology that reduces or eliminates contaminants that might enter the engine. In-vehicle technologies such as the GM Oil Life System can also reduce the frequency between oil changes by determining each engine's oil "life."

"Driving conditions vary from one driver to another," said Peter Lord, executive director of GM Service Operations. "The GM Oil Life System is a sophisticated technology that determines the ideal time to change your oil. A driver whose fuel tank is still half full wouldn't empty the tank just to refill it. This same logic applies to oil. We should not waste motor oil that still has life."

According to the American Petroleum Institute, more than 1 billion gallons of motor oil are sold each year in the U.S. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 185 million gallons of used motor oil are improperly disposed of each year - dumped onto the ground, tossed into the trash or poured down the drain.

According to research conducted for the state of California, the need to reduce waste oil is significant. "Today, California generates more than 150 million gallons of used oil. If that oil isn't recycled it can find its way into our lakes, streams and oceans," said CIWMB Chair Margo Reid Brown. "And just one gallon of oil can contaminate a million gallons of drinking water."

The GM Oil Life System
Motorists can help prevent the unnecessary use of motor oil by following their automaker's recommendations for oil change intervals. For drivers of GM vehicles equipped with the GM Oil Life System, your car or truck can "tell" you when it's time to change the oil.

The GM Oil Life System can extend oil change intervals significantly compared to the former 3,000-mile recommendation, depending on the vehicle/engine combination and other factors. The system is based on a sophisticated algorithm that measures key engine functions to determine the ideal time for an oil change. Because people drive differently, and under different operating conditions, the rate of oil breakdown varies from vehicle to vehicle.

"In California alone, more than 2.5 million GM vehicles are equipped with the GM Oil Life System," said Ron Strayhorn, regional service manager, GM's Western Region. "Owners of these vehicles can reduce the amount of oil they consume simply by following their GM Oil Life System, which for many drivers can be thousands of miles between changes as opposed to the old standard recommendation."

The average GM vehicle equipped with the GM Oil Life System typically needs oil changes half as often as the 3,000-mile recommendation. Based on driving 15,000 miles per year, this could mean between two and three fewer oil changes annually. If used as intended by all drivers of GM vehicles equipped with the system in the state of California, more than 8 million fewer gallons of motor oil would be consumed annually, compared to a 3,000-mile interval. That would help reduce the environmental impact and save motorists money.

All 2007 model year and newer GM vehicles, as well as certain qualified 2003 model year and newer GM Certified Used Vehicles, are backed by GM's five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. So, GM customers who follow their GM Oil Life System recommendation can have peace of mind of knowing that their vehicle is being well maintained.

It is possible that under the best conditions, the GM Oil Life System might not indicate that an oil change is necessary for more than a year. However, the engine oil and filter must be changed at least every 12 months and at this time, the system must be reset. For vehicles not equipped with the GM Oil Life System, owners should follow the recommended maintenance schedules in their owner's manual.

For more information on the GM Oil Life System, go to www.gm.com. Motorists should check their owner's manual for their specific oil change and waste oil recycling recommendations.

DynoMax has announced its official prize purse for the 2008 Power to the Wheels Dyno Tour Series, bringing horsepower enthusiasts an exciting set of prizes and celebrity opportunities for posting the top horsepower in the thrilling competition series.

“This is an unbelievable year, we’ve established the Power to the Wheels program as the go-to horsepower event,” said Christine Bowser, Pinnacle Communication Group, Inc. “And we’ve split up the competition into two classes – Power-Adder and All-Motor – widening the opportunities for a bigger group of car enthusiasts, and we’re seeing more participation at events. We’re giving the fame and spotlight to the nation’s top cars!”

The DynoMax “Power to the Wheels” Dyno Tour, sponsored and managed by DynoMax, was created in 2007 to test the horsepower and torque of muscle cars outfitted with DynoMax or Thrush exhaust systems. The Championship Shootout will take place during Street Machine Nationals, Springfield, Mo., Sept. 12 – 14, 2008.

The series introduced a new structure in 2008 to include two new classes – All-Motor* and Power-Adder*. Both classes will have payouts at the Championship Shootout – $6,000 to the first-place All-Motor and first-place Power-Adder winners, $4,000 to the second-place All-Motor and second-place Power-Adder winners, and $2,000 to the third-place All-Motor and third-place Power-Adder winners.

“Not only are we going to give the top guys in both classes the biggest part of the prize purse, but we’re also inviting those two drivers and their cars to the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November,” said Bowser. “They’ll be our DynoMax Champions, and the stars of the Show after they blow us away with their horsepower numbers in September!”

Winners also will receive contingency awards for running two Summit Racing Equipment contingency decals on the vehicles during the Championship Shootout. Summit Racing Equipment, which introduced the contingency to the Power to the Wheels program during 2008, has awarded prizes to each class winner at each Qualifying Event, and also plans to award Championship Shootout qualifiers a $100 Summit Racing Gift Card.

To win, entrants must use a DynoMax or Thrush exhaust system and/or muffler at the time of the dyno run during one of the Qualifying Events. DynoMax will award daily champions in each class. Competitors are required to make two back-to-back dyno runs. The winner is based on peak horsepower from the best of two runs for the daily contest. Entrants who do not have DynoMax products can still dyno but are not eligible for the competition and are subject to a dyno fee ($75).

DynoMax has awarded first- and second-place winners of each class at each of the series’ Qualifying Events. The daily first- and second-place event winners will be entered into a national ranking for a chance to compete at the Championship Shootout. Daily first-place winners in both classes also earn a $50 cash prize from DynoMax.

For more information about the DynoMax Power to the Wheels Dyno Tour, please visit www.dynomax.com.

Friday, June 27th is the 8th Annual Drive Your Corvette To Work Day, sponsored by Mid America Motorworks. In honor of Drive Your Corvette To Work Day, enthusiasts across America will make “America’s Sports Car” their commuter car for the day.

“Drive Your Corvette To Work Day is held on the Friday closest to June 30th, when the first Corvette rolled off the assembly line in 1953 in Flint, Michigan. We encourage every Corvette owner to drive his or her car on June 27th because it is the perfect way to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to America’s favorite sports car,” said Mike Yager, founder and “Chief Cheerleader” of Mid America Motorworks, the world’s leading supplier of Corvette parts and accessories.

Mid America Motorworks promotes Drive Your Corvette To Work Day among Corvette owners and clubs. The goal is to have as many Corvette owners as possible drive their car to work that day. Launched in 2001, Mid America Motorworks’ Drive Your Corvette To Work Day is an annual event celebrated by thousands of Corvette owners. This year’s event is especially noteworthy as 2008 is GM’s 100th anniversary. The Chevrolet Corvette is arguably GM’s greatest contribution to the automotive world.

“We understand why many owners consider their Corvette to be a special car and only drive it occasionally,” said Yager. “But we think driving your Corvette to work, at least one day a year, is an excellent way to demonstrate just how popular Corvettes are. Wave to other Corvette owners-- it’s a perfect chance for Corvette owners to meet new Corvette owners.”

 Corvette owners who observe “Drive Your Corvette To Work Day” are encouraged to send photos or high resolution digital pictures of their car at work to clubs@mamotorworks.com or P.O. Box 1368, Effingham, IL 62401. Mid America Motorworks will post as many pictures as possible on their website, www.mamotorworks.com/corvette. Visit their site to see past DYCTWD events.

One winner is gonna walk away with a restored 1967 Corvette 427/435HP Tri-power roadster and a matching new 2008 427/570 HP Lingenfelter Corvette convertible on December 25th, 2008. Proceeds benefit our nation's hospitalized children.

Corvette Dream Giveaway is a sweepstakes to benefit children confined to hospitals across the nation. In cooperation with sponsors including, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Summit Racing, Moroso Performance, Corvette Central, Paragon Corvettes, Zip Products and others, Kids Wish Network will be giving away a beautifully restored 1967 Corvette 427/435HP Tri-power roadster and a matching new 2008 427/570 HP Lingenfelter Corvette convertible to one lucky winner on December 25th, 2008. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering intends to create a one-off tribute to legendary racer, mentor, and friend, John Lingenfelter making this unique supercar an instant classic. As if that wasn't enough, arrangements have been made to pay the winners' federal tax liability up to $75,000. At $3.00 a ticket this one's a no brainer! Go to www.winthevettes.com to enter or call 1-866-WIN-BOTH (946-2684).

With all the excitement over the 2009 ZR1, it's no wonder that news of the other Corvette models available in ’09 has been overlooked. Rest assured, there are still three other Corvette models to choose from in ’09: Coupe, convertible, and the Z06. Their details are listed here.

New for 2009:

·    The Corvette Convertible will be offered in a 1LT-Equipment Group package, lowering the MSRP for Convertibles to $52,550. Additionally, a power top is now standard on 2LT Convertible models.

·    Cyber Gray Metallic and Blade Silver Metallic are added, while Machine Silver Metallic is discontinued. This brings the Corvette’s exterior palette to nine colors.

·    Revised crossed flags emblem – The iconic Corvette crossed flags emblem is distinguished with a new, bright surround.

·    Two new custom leather-wrapped interiors – Dark Titanium and Ebony join Sienna and Linen as available selections.

·    Bluetooth capability – This option enables the Corvette to offer the convenience and safety of Bluetooth hands-free phone service.

·    Standard power hatch pull-down – This convenient feature is now standard on Corvette coupe and Z06 models.

New for the 2009 Corvette Z06:

·    New, "spider"-design 10-spoke Z06 wheel available in four versions: Sparkle Silver, Competition Gray and chrome

·    Color-keyed door and instrument panels with red and titanium interiors

·    Power-operated pull-down hatch now standard

·    Gray stitching on Ebony base seats (previously red)

·    New door sill plates with the Z06 logo

·    Acoustic package standard on all Z06 models

·    The Z06 also receives a larger-capacity dry-sump oiling system. It upgrades to the 10.5-quart (9.9 liters) system of the new ZR1. The previous oil system held eight quarts (7.5 liters).

2009 Corvette Price Schedule:

MODELS
 
 
1YY07 Coupe
 $47,895.00
 
1YY67 Convertible
 $52,550.00
 
1YY87 Z06
 $73,255.00
 
1YY87 ZR1
 $103,300.00
 
Pricing Includes $850 Destination Charge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009 CORVETTE COUPE PACKAGES
 
1LT Equipment Group
 $0.00
 
2LT Equipment Group
 $1,545.00
 
3LT Preferred Equipment Group
 $4,555.00
 
4LT Premium Equipment Group
 $8,055.00
 
VPL GCA Ultimate Exterior Pkg
 $2,095.00
 
VPL GCA Ultimate Exterior Pkg w/Wheels
 $5,475.00
 
 
 
 
2009 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE PACKAGES
 
1LT Equipment Group
 $0.00
 
2LT Equipment Group
 $3,540.00
 
3LT Preferred Equipment Group
 $6,550.00
 
4LT Premium Equipment Group
 $10,050.00
 
VPL GCA Ultimate Exterior Package
 $2,095.00
 
VPL GCA Ultimate Exterior Pkg w/Wheels
 $5,475.00
 
 
 
 
2009 CORVETTE Z06 PACKAGES
 
1LZ Equipment Group
 $0.00
 
2LZ Preferred Equipment Group
 $3,015.00
 
3LZ Premium Equipment Group
 $6,515.00
 
 
 
 
2009 CORVETTE ZR1 PACKAGES
 
1ZR Equipment Group
 $0.00
 
3ZR Premium Equipment Group
 $10,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPTIONS
 
 
CC3 Transparent Roof Package
 $750.00
 
C2L Dual Roof Package
 $1,400.00
 
D30 Custom Color and Trim Combination
 $590.00
 
F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control
 $1,995.00
 
GU2 2.73 Rear Axle Ratio
 $395.00
 
MX0 6 Speed Automatic with Paddle Shift
 $1,250.00
 
NPP Dual Mode Exhaust System
 $1,195.00
 
R8C Museum Delivery
 $490.00
 
R8E Gas Guzzler Tax (ZR1)
 $1,700.00
 
U3U AM/FM CD with Navigation
 $1,750.00
 
Z51 Performance Handling Package
 $1,695.00
 
**6 Two Tone Seats with Embroidery
 $695.00
 
 
 
 
WHEELS
 
 
Q9V Forged Chrome Aluminum Wheels
 $1,850.00
 
QX1 Competition Gray Wheels
 $395.00
 
QG7 Polished Aluminum Wheels
 $1,295.00
 
Q8A Spider Chrome Wheels - Z06
 $1,995.00
 
Q44 Competition Gray Wheels - Z06
 $395.00
 
Q76 Chrome 10 Spoke Wheels - Z06
 $1,995.00
 
QL9 Polished Aluminum Wheels - Z06
 $1,495.00
 
Q6B Chrome Aluminum Wheels - ZR1
 $2,000.00
 
 
 
 
PREMIUM EXTERIOR COLORS
 
 
45U Velocity Yellow Paint
 $750.00
 
83U Atomic Orange Metallic Paint
 $300.00
 
85U Jetstream Blue Metallic Paint
 $750.00
 
89U Crystal Red Metallic Paint
 $750.00
 

Stolen-vehicle chases may make for gripping reality TV, but statistics show that such pursuits are fantastically dangerous, often culminating in crashes that damage or even destroy the very cars and trucks they’re intended to recover. What if there were better way to recover a filched auto, one that could be orchestrated from afar, with minimal risk to person and property?

Thanks to GM’s Stolen Vehicle Slowdown technology, such low-risk stops will soon be reality. Starting in the ’09 model year, the company will begin rolling out the new feature, which allows vehicles equipped with the OnStar system to be remotely disabled in the event of a theft. Availability will be limited at first but is expected to spread to all OnStar-equipped cars and trucks within a few years. (Somewhat surprisingly, the Corvette will not be among the first group of vehicles to receive the required hardware upgrades.)

Here’s how it works: Once the car owner has notified police of the theft, a law-enforcement official contacts OnStar and requests a slowdown. An OnStar rep then sends the vehicle’s PCM a signal severely limiting the travel of the electronic throttle, instantly cutting top speed to 3-5 mph. The idea is to simulate an actual powertrain failure so the crooks have no idea they’re about to be collared. The slowdown even includes an illuminated “service engine” light to support the illusion.

Ideally, an officer will ID the vehicle ahead of time (aided, if necessary, by a few remotely triggered flashes from the hazard lights), discreetly wait for the slowdown to take effect, and nab the clueless perps when they abandon the ostensibly malfunctioning car. A dangerous chase is averted, the owner gets his ride back, and the crooks get to model the latest in neon-orange eveningwear.

It all sounds great in theory, but there’s still something faintly unsettling about the idea of owning a vehicle whose critical engine and electronic functions can be hacked into and manipulated by someone in another time zone. After all, what’s to stop, say, a spiteful divorcé from reporting a vehicle stolen just to strand his ex out in the middle of Deliveranceville?

When I asked about the potential for abuse with the system, OnStar Public Policy Manager George H. Baker assured me that slowdowns would only be executed when requested by law enforcement on behalf of the vehicle’s owner. If that’s not assurance enough, it will even be possible to have one’s car taken “off the grid,” so to speak, by reprogramming the PCM to remove the slowdown feature altogether. (The programming can be reversed later on for a fee.)

Those twin guarantees should be sufficient to assuage all but the most ardent civil libertarians, leaving reality-TV execs as the only group to claim a legitimate beef with the slowdown technology. After all, with a little luck, it won’t be long before all those spectacular high-speed car chases are relegated to the realm of reruns.

Whether the idea of a perfect Fourth of July celebration includes a sneak peek at hot concept cars and trucks, hanging out with NASCAR’s finest 200 mph race cars, enjoying a brilliant fireworks display, or kicking back with friends and family to the sounds of electrifying live entertainment, Chevrolet and the City Of Houston have everything covered for “Chevy’s Freedom Over Texas” July 4 at Eleanor Tinsley Park.

"Chevrolet has proudly held the title sponsorship to Freedom Over Texas for four years, and we're coming back to Houston again and bringing an even bigger celebration," said Jay Allen, Chevrolet marketing manager for GM’s South Central region. "We are excited to present the Chevy music stage which will be ignited with three phenomenal female country music artists, as well as provide fantastic concept cars and a host of fun-filled, interactive activities for the entire family.”

Festival-goers can experience some of Chevy’s hottest 2008 cars and trucks, as well as show-stopping concept cars like the Bumblebee Camaro – star of the 2007 summer blockbuster movie Transformers. The Cobalt Wide Body and the Time Attack Supercharged Cobalt SS with its race record-setting pedigree round out Chevy’s sizzling concept vehicle display.

For race fans, Chevy is showcasing Team Chevy’s Championship-winning authentic NASCAR race cars, including: Jimmie Johnson’s #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet; Jeff Gordon’s #24 DuPont Chevrolet; and Kevin Harvick’s #29 Shell Oil Chevrolet. If simply checking out these race cars isn’t enough, festival attendees can climb into one of the Chevy Racing Simulators and race their favorite NASCAR drivers at speeds and motion that simulate up to 200 mph on Texas Motor Speedway’s 1.5 mile oval track.

With fuel prices soaring, Chevy’s Alternative Fuels display is sure to catch some attention. From the Tahoe Hybrid to the Malibu, Chevrolet offers plenty of gas-friendly driving options to learn about. The Chevy Tahoe Hybrid – which was recently named Green Car Journal’s 2008 Green Car of the Year® – is one of two all-new hybrid models for 2008 (the other being the Malibu Hybrid sedan) featuring the affordable GM Hybrid System.

This year, Chevy’s Main Stage will play host to three of country music’s hottest female entertainers: Jo Dee Messina, Miranda Lambert, and Sara Evans.

Sara Evans, a Missouri native, began her career singing country music with her family’s band when she was five years old. The award-winning artist has won numerous accolades including the Academy of Country Music’s Female Vocalist of the Year, the Country Music Association’s Video of the Year for “Born to Fly,” and 2006 Female Vocalist of the Year in the R&R Reader’s Poll. Her hits include “I could not ask for more,” “Born to Fly,” and “No Place That Far.”

A small-town girl from Texas, Miranda Lambert burst onto the music scene as a finalist in the 2003 season of the NASHVILLE STAR television series. She didn’t win the show, but did win a recording deal with Columbia Nashville. Lambert hasn’t looked back since and debuted her latest album Crazy Ex-Girlfriend to rave reviews leading to her nomination for CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, and has received several CMT Music Award nominations.

Kicking off the show is award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist, Jo Dee Messina. Honored by The Country Music Association, The Academy of Country Music and The Grammy Awards, Jo Dee was the first female country artist to score three multiple-week #1 songs from the same album. Her newest album, entitled Delicious Surprises, includes hits like “My Give A Damn’s Busted,” and “It Gets Better.”

When the concerts come to a close at approximately 9:30 p.m., eyes will turn skyward for an extraordinary fireworks display. Perfectly set to a selection of patriotic songs to rock ‘n’ roll hits and classic bestsellers, this year’s show will be the largest to date.

Chevy’s Freedom Over Texas will begin when gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 4. Admission for the festival, which benefits the Central Houston Civic Improvement, Inc., is $6.00 at the gate for adults; children under 10 are free.

For more information about the event, visit chevysfreedomovertexas.com.

Distinctive Driving Tours, a leading provider of high-end luxury driving tours, is pleased to announce the commencement of its operations with an all-inclusive track tour of the legendary Nürburgring racing circuit in Germany. This event marks the beginning of Distinctive Driving Tours’ mission to unite automotive enthusiasts with the best cars, the best roads and the best accommodations to provide the ultimate driving experience.

"Distinctive Driving Tours was founded by car enthusiasts. We understand the passion for driving and want to provide an experience that will reflect and enrich this passion in others,” said Scott Herberg, director of operations for Distinctive Driving Tours. “We’re pulling out all the stops for our first tour. There is no better test of a driver’s skill than the Nürburgring, and we’re excited to offer race fans the opportunity to experience it."

Distinctive Driving Tours has teamed up with International Drivers Training to give participants the chance to drive the Nürburgring in a high-performance car and experience the local flavor of the region. The $8,000 price includes transportation to and from the airport, accommodations for four nights, breakfast, lunch and a cocktail reception. Guests will also receive instruction from International Drivers Training and track time in 10 different vehicles, including the Lotus Exige, Porsche 911, Audi TT, Renault Megane Sport, Volkswagen Golf GTI and BMW’s 120i, 135i, 320si and 325i. For the truly adventurous, a Porsche GT3 RS, essentially a street-legal race car, is available for an extra $4,000 per day.

The Nürburgring is one of the longest and most challenging race courses in the world, with 14 miles of narrow track, 170 turns and 1000 feet in elevation changes. Automobile manufacturers worldwide utilize the demanding circuit to develop and test their high-performance models because of its ability to push both man and machine to the limit.

Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., Distinctive Driving Tours provides its customers with the motoring experience of a lifetime by combining exhilarating roads with breathtaking scenery, four- and five-star resort accommodations and exceptional gourmet restaurants. Guests have the option of bringing their own car or renting a high-end exotic or luxury vehicle from Distinctive Driving Tours at a lower rate. Customers will experience the convenience of pre-booked accommodations and pre-determined routes and the safety of a dedicated support vehicle. Several tour options are available, including celebrity tours hosted by current and former race drivers and customized tours from almost anywhere in the US, Canada, Mexico, or Europe, tailored to meet the specific needs of the client.

For more information about Distinctive Driving Tours and the Nürburgring tour, or to book a reservation, visit www.distinctivedrivingtours.com.

The third FIA GT1 race of the season has brought the success for Corvette the teams had been waiting for: the GMAC Corvette C6.R, driven by Mike Hezemans and Fabrizo Gollin finished first in the two-hour race at the Adria Motorsport Park in Italy.

Adria Motorsport Park is located 70 km south of Venice, Italy, and is one of the newer FIA GT venues. The tight twisty 2.702-kilometer (1.68 mile) course hosted Round 3 of the highly competitive 2008 FIA GT championship.  Twenty-seven cars qualified for this two-hour night race and fourteen were GT1 entries.  Four Corvettes were entered, three C6R’s and one C5R

The GMAC Corvettes fought for the lead throughout the entire race. They both had a stirring battle with the Nr 1 Maserati MC-12. As the clock counted down it was the Hezemans/Gollin GMAC Corvette first across the stripe with a 11.879 second margin. Maserati was second, the Nr 5 GMAC Corvette with drivers Marcel Fässler and Jean-Denis Deletraz was third 2.714 seconds behind the Maserati. The SRT Corvette C6R was fourth. This was the GMAC team’s first victory of the year. The podium at Adria was a sea of Corvette yellow as the fans roared their approval for this outstanding Corvette victory.

There was more for Corvette to cheer about. For 2008, Corvette is the official Safety- and Leading Car for the FIA GT Championship. Corvette Europe supplied two Corvette’s Z06 to become the Official Safety and Leading Car for 2008. The program will continue through the season to the final FIA GT3 Championship race in Dubai and the final FIA GT Championship race in San Luis, Argentina. In addition a Cadillac CTS 3.6 will be the Medical Car and a Cadillac Escalade will be the Course Car.  

SRO Motorsports Group is particularly pleased to announce this partnership with such an important member of the GT community. “Corvette is a perfect Official Car Supplier for us,” commented Stephane Ratel, Chairman of SRO Motorsports Group. “Their cars have played a leading role on the track in recent years, winning the Total 24 Hours of Spa last year (2007) as well as the Teams Championship in the 2007 FIA GT3 European Championship, so it is pleasing to see them play an official role as well. SRO look forward to growing this partnership together with Corvette”.

The next FIA GT round is in two weeks at the track of Oschersleben, Germany, July 5-6.

Ever wonder how Corvettes get painted? Take a look at this short video prepared by General Motors.

http://www.gmnext.com/Details/Videos.aspx?id=82eaf8d0-cd62-46e1-b5db-9a625bd2d0a5

Forty-seven years ago, the boom of a GM small-block V-8 engine first resonated on the Mulsanne Straight, rumbled through Arnage and rocked Tertre Rouge. While Chevrolet is widely recognized as the most successful manufacturer in American motorsports history, Chevrolet also has been well represented in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Chevrolet performance has a French accent at the world’s most famous endurance race.

The lure of Le Mans has proven irresistible for Chevrolet racers. The recent success of Corvette Racing at Le Mans was presaged by generations of Chevrolet-powered racers who drove production Corvettes, handbuilt prototypes and homebuilt specials at the Circuit of the Sarthe. Chevrolet has a rich racing heritage in Europe that spans the spectrum form Briggs Cunningham’s trio of solid-axle Corvettes and John Greenwood’s bewinged warriors to Jim Hall’s innovative Chaparral coupes and Billy Hagan’s NASCAR-inspired Camaros. The following are highlights of Chevrolet’s competition legacy at Le Mans.

1960: Cunningham Corvettes
It was Briggs Cunningham, a wealthy sportsman racer, aspiring car manufacturer and defender of America’s Cup, who fulfilled Zora Arkus-Duntov’s dream of Corvette competing at Le Mans. Cunningham fielded a trio of Corvettes at the French classic in 1960. Wearing the blue and white colors that traditionally identified American entries in international racing, the Team Cunningham Corvettes were driven by three pairs of racers: Cunningham and Bill Kimberly, Dick Thompson and Fred Windridge, and John Fitch and Bob Grossman. Duntov was listed as a reserve driver (he had previously posted class victories at Le Mans in a Porsche), but Zora did not drive a Corvette in his beloved race.

When the 55 entries were lined up for the traditional Le Mans start according to engine size, the three Cunningham Corvettes occupied the first three spots with their 283-cubic-inch fuel-injected small-block V8s. A fourth Corvette entered by airline pilot Lucky Casner under the Camoradi USA banner and driven by Lou Lilley and Fred Gamble rounded out the Corvette quartet. Team Camoradi’s sponsors were chiefly race fans who yearned to see an American entry in the French classic.

The Cunningham Corvettes were in near-stock trim, with larger gas tanks, quick-fill gas caps, Halibrand magnesium wheels, oil coolers, driving lights, racing seats and heavy-duty suspension components among their limited modifications – an expression of Duntov’s philosophy of using racing to develop high-performance components for future production vehicles.

Kimberley crashed Corvette No. 1 during a heavy rainstorm at the three-hour mark; the car was destroyed, but the driver escaped injury. Corvette No. 2 lost time when Thompson had to dig it out of one of the numerous sandpits that lined the circuit, and then the overtaxed engine expired in the 20th hour with Windridge at the wheel. Meanwhile, Fitch and Grossman continued to circle the immense course, running as high as seventh during a cold and rainy night of racing. In the waning hours of the race, the engine overheated and lost coolant but regulations prohibited the team from refilling the radiator. Yankee ingenuity triumphed when team manager Alfred Momo ordered the crew to pack the engine with ice from the team’s catering tent. Driving at reduced speed, the ice-cooled Chevy small-block powered the Cunningham team to an eighth-place finish overall and first in the big-bore GT class – the best finish by a Corvette until the arrival of Corvette Racing’s C5-Rs. The Fitch/Grossman Corvette averaged 97.92 mph and completed 280 laps. The Camoradi Corvette was running tenth at the finish with a 96.3-mph average, but did not complete sufficient distance to be classified as an official finisher.

1966-67: Chaparral Coupes
Few cars have captured the imagination of motorsports aficionados as completely as the legendary Chaparral race cars from Midland, Texas. Owned and campaigned by Texas oilman Jim Hall, the Chaparrals enjoyed technical support from Chevrolet R&D. After Hall and his Chevy connections made the white Chaparrals the cars to beat on American soil in the U.S. Road Racing Championship and the unlimited Can-Am series, Hall set his sights on Europe’s classic endurance races. With innovations such as fiberglass chassis, semi-automatic transmissions and movable wings, Hall went to France to take on an armada of Ford GTs.

Hall’s first foray to Le Mans was in 1967 with the Chaparral 2D coupe powered by a 327ci small-block V-8 and driven by Phil Hill, America’s first Formula One champion, and Grand Prix ace Jo Bonnier. The car qualified 10th and retired after eight hours with a dead battery (Le Mans rules prohibited replacement).

The following year, the venerable 2D was retired in favor of the radical 2F, Hall’s technical tour de force. The 2F sported a fiberglass chassis, a fuel-injected aluminum 427ci big-block V-8, and a driver-operated high-mounted rear wing that could be moved from a low-drag position on the straights to a high-downforce position in corners. Hill returned to Le Mans, teamed with Mike Spence, and the pair qualified the 2F second on the grid. Bruce Jennings and Bob Johnson drove a second Chaparral 2F.

The Johnson/Jennings entry lost time when Johnson opted for the escape road at Mulsanne corner, but Spence took the lead after avoiding the chaos of the Le Mans start. Johnson and Jennings retired after 10 hours, while Hill and Spence were slowed when the wing locked in the high-downforce position. With Hill running third at 5 a.m., the crew spotted transmission fluid during a routine pit stop, the result of a damaged oil seal. Three hours later, the car returned to battle with a rebuilt transmission, but ultimately retired after 18 arduous hours – the last Chaparral to run at Le Mans.

Chevrolet-Powered Prototypes
Chevrolet engines were a popular choice of prototype racers at Le Mans. Like their hot rodding counterparts in America, boutique car manufacturers recognized the versatility and performance of GM’s V-8 powertrains. In 1966, a Chevrolet-powered Iso Rivolta drive by Edgar Berney and Pierre Noblet finished first in the over-5000 cc class, averaging 171.673 kph. The following year the Iso Grifo Prototipi of Regis Fraissinet and Jean de Mortemart came in ninth overall and first in the over-5000 cc class with a 5.3-liter small-block V-8. The late ’60s saw several English-built Lola T70 Mk III coupes take on Le Mans with Chevy power, but lack of development and testing produced early retirements.

1966-73: Sting Rays at Le Mans
Chevy’s second-generation Corvette made its Le Mans debut in 1967 with Corvette legends Dick Guldstrand and Bob Bondurant sharing the driving duties. Entered by Dana Chevrolet, a Southern California dealership with an ambitious performance program, the red, white and blue coupe blitzed the Mulsanne Straight with big-block horsepower at 171 mph. The L-88 engine was not up to the task for the entire 24 hours, however, and the Corvette’s day ended shortly before the halfway point. Today Bondurant uses Corvettes in his high-performance driving school.

European teams kept Chevy in the game at Le Mans during the late ’60s and early ’70s. Henri Greder was the mainstay of Corvette’s racing programs at Circuit of the Sarthe. Greder and Bob Lutz convinced Swiss racing patron Georges Filipinetti to campaign a two-car Corvette team at Le Mans in 1968 under the Scuderia Filipinetti banner. Greder and Umberto Maglioli dominated the competition in the GT class until the sixth hour when engine problems caused an early retirement, while teammates Sylvain Garant and Jean-Michel Giorgi lasted 14 hours until they were sidelined in an accident. In 1969 Greder and Reine Wisell were leading the GT class at the 16-hour mark but again retired; the pair went on to win seven of the 11 events that made up the 1969 Tour de France with their big-block Corvette. The car was then sold to Jean Claude Aubriet who entered it four more times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1970-73. Greder and co-driver Marie-Claude Beaumonth drove the venerable Corvette to consecutive wins in the over-5000 cc class in 1973 and 1974. The Greder Corvette’s six consecutive years at Le Mans set a record for appearances by a single chassis.

1972-76: Greenwood Corvettes
1972 marked the first appearance of Corvette icon John Greenwood at Le Mans. Teamed with comedian Dick Smothers, host of the popular Smothers Brothers television show, Greenwood’s Corvette was painted like an American flag and raced on his sponsors’ street radial tires. The Greenwood/Smothers entry qualified 38th and retired after 10 hours, lasting one hour longer than its team car driven by Alain Cudini and Bernard Darniche. Greenwood returned the following year with another two-car effort that included Chevy dealer Don Yenko, but without success.

When Greenwood came back to Le Mans in 1976, he was loaded for bear. In the intervening years he had developed a succession of outrageous wide-body Corvettes for SCCA and IMSA road racing competition. Affectionately dubbed the “Batmobiles,” Greenwood’s flared and spoilered creations were loosely based on production third-generation Corvette frames and infused with liberal doses of fuel-injected big-block power. Greenwood’s machines were reported to have a top speed of 240 mph at Daytona, a level of performance that inspired Hot Rod magazine to proclaim them the fastest Corvettes in the world. (Gary Pratt, architect of the championship-winning Pratt & Miller team that campaigns Corvette Racing’s entries, was instrumental in building the Greenwood Corvettes.) Again wearing a patriotic American flag paint scheme, Greenwood harnessed the prodigious power of a fuel-injected big-block Chevy V-8 to qualify ninth. A brand-new fuel cell failed after five hours, ending the Greenwood chapter at Le Mans.

1981-82: Good Old Boys at Le Mans
Chevy’s next competitive entries at Le Mans came from an unexpected quarter: NASCAR. Billy Hagan, who would later become the car owner for NASCAR champion Terry Labonte, entered his Stratagraph Camaros in the road racing classic in 1981-82. Looking more like refugees from a short-track circuit than international endurance racers, Hagan’s Camaros were driven by stock car standouts such as two-time Chevy Winston Cup champion Cale Yarborough and Carrera Panamerica winner Hershel McGriff. Hagan and IMSA road racer Gene Felton teamed up to post a best finish of 17th in 1982 in their third-generation Camaro.

1994-97: Callaway Corvettes
Corvette specialist Reeves Callaway was the force behind a series of rebodied fourth-generation Corvettes that competed at Le Mans. A Callaway Corvette was the fastest qualifier in the GT2 class in 1994, but was disqualified after 11 hours when it was refueled on the course. The following year, a Callaway Corvette finished ninth overall and second in the GT class with Indy car racer Johnny Unser sharing the driving duties, while a twin car from Agusta Racing came in 11th. The success of the production-based C4 Callaway Corvettes foreshadowed the arrival of Corvette Racing that scored three GTS class victories at Le Mans.

Want a Corvette but can't quite afford the payments? Pontiac's recently introduced Solstice Coupe offers a two-seat configuration, a reasonably powerful engine, and nimble handling for under $29,000. Details follow.

Drawing inspiration from classic sports cars, the 2009 Pontiac Solstice coupe was created for drivers who appreciate both dramatic styling and balanced performance. Unveiled at the New York Auto Show as a GXP model, the Solstice coupe builds on the success of the convertible model while offering a greater range of all-season driving opportunities.

For drivers still wanting an open-air experience, the coupe also features a removable roof panel, fully opening the cockpit to all of the sensations of the road.

“Today’s Solstice is the top-selling roadster in the U.S., and we believe this new model has even broader appeal,” said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general manager. “The coupe has all the design cues and pleasing performance of the original roadster, and is an all-season alternative for people who enjoy open-air driving.”

The coupe is expected to arrive in Pontiac dealerships in early 2009.

The making of a coupe

The new coupe was inspired by the Solstice coupe concept shown at the North American International Auto Show in 2002. True to the concept, it is a modern sports car with classic lines. The roofline has a “fastback” shape with stylized “rails” that run from the front of the roof to the rear, culminating in a stylish and functional ducktail-style rear spoiler.

The coupe’s roof is fixed aft of the B-pillars, with side windows and a rear liftglass for access to the cargo area. The roof panel is easily removed from the passenger compartment, and an optional soft roof cover stores in the cargo area. A home storage case for the roof panel will be offered through GM Accessories.

Engineering the design

Despite its dramatic new look, engineers made only minor structural changes to create the Solstice coupe. The rear fenders and rear fascia are the same as those on the convertible. New taillight assemblies flow more smoothly into the tapered roofline.

“The Solstice coupe represents a major collaboration of design and engineering,” said Bruce Kosbab, chief engineer. “The sleek lines of the new roof give the car a fresh appearance, yet only minimal changes were made to the body structure – it’s a great example of building on an already solid foundation.”

Lightweight structure

The roof’s structure was strengthened with additional support elements, including an aluminum roof bow attached with aluminum brackets. The bow and brackets are stiff, yet low in mass, a design feature that pervades the coupe’s overall construction. The roof includes a lightweight sheet molding compound cover affixed to a rigid aluminum frame for additional lightweight support. A lightweight magnesium roof panel frame weighs just 31 pounds (14.2 kg) and can be removed by one person. The cover is also made of sheet molding compound.

Powertrain and suspension

Because the change to a coupe body style resulted in only a slight increase in curb weight, no drivetrain or suspension changes were necessary to shift from the convertible body structure. Initial tests have shown that the Solstice coupe will deliver ride and handling, acceleration, braking and fuel economy comparable to the convertible model.

The coupe is powered by a standard 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine that generates 173 horsepower (129 kW), while the GXP version is equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec engine with 260 horsepower (194 kW).

Interior additions

Much of the coupe’s interior remains the same as that of the convertible. However, the area behind the seats was redesigned for easy access to the cargo area, and a storage tray was mounted directly behind the headrests.

Removing the folding-top mechanism made way for a new, flat cargo floor and several storage compartments. The cargo area’s covered bins provide secure storage for smaller items. Cargo tie-down hooks help secure irregularly shaped items.

Now, you can watch how the Corvette ZR1 is built in this short video prepared by General Motors.

www.gmnext.com/Details/Videos.aspx?id=66b13bc9-3d11-4994-b074-fc65a55b9c4c

An innovative backpack cooler from TrackPack chills and dispenses 20 beverage cans with the flick of a wrist, complies with most public venues and tracks and is easy for one person to carry. Drink up!

We're right in the middle of the car show season and no matter where you are that's gonna mean staying outside for hours, walking miles checking out cars and, more than likely, a few cold-ones. Handling and care of those coldies, as we all know, can be a major pain. TrackPack has come out with a backpack cooler that should make your life on the show or racing circuit easier.

The TrackPack's roomy 14h" x 14"w size was designed to comply with the most common size restrictions set by public venues and arenas - perfect for races and track events. It has an internal plastic frame that holds beverage cans stacked on their sides in four vertical columns - a lot like a soda machine. To keep everything cold, the TrackPack comes with three removable and reusable freezer gel-packs. They act sorta like an internal refrigerator and, here's a huge plus, they won't leak. While you're wearing the pack, reach back, whip open one of the flaps on either side of the bag, and grab an ice-cold one. The next can falls into the previous can's position.You can also access the cooler via a zippered flap on the top but the side flaps are much easier.

If you forget to freeze the gel-packs, the TrackPack comes with a waterproof liner insert. Just pull the internal plastic frame out of the bag, Velcro the liner in place and add crushed ice along with cans, bottles, or whatever you want to keep cool.

We gave the TrackPack a try at a recent event in Florida. We froze the gel-packs overnight (make sure you lay 'em as flat as possible or they may be tough to slide in to the rail system), loaded it up with some cans, slung it over the shoulder and headed out. After tailgating for a little while near our car, we put the TrackPack in the trunk with about 10 cans left in it and checked out the venue for about three hours. When we got back the drinks were still cold and, best of all, the cooler hadn't leaked or filled with water. Granted, nothing beats drinks submerged in cooler full of ice, but the TrackPack kept the cans pretty cold for hours in the trunk of a car in the Florida heat. If that had been an ice-chest, it would've been filled with nothing but warm water.

The TrackPack works like advertised and it did make transporting and keeping our drinks cold a ton easier. After we got back we took out the gel-packs, laid 'em flat in the freezer and it'll be ready to go for the next event. At just under $40, it's not as cheap as those Styrofoam coolers but it's not a bad deal considering the dough you'll save on ice. Plus, it's easy for one person to carry and will fit under the bleacher seats.

For more on TrackPack check out their website at www.trackpackcoolers.com.

With the line-topping ZR1 model officially priced at over $100,000, the time seems right to revisit the idea of a decontented, performance-oriented “budget” model in the spirit of the ’99-’00 fixed-roof coupe. What might such a car look like? Herewith, a wish list for our ideal ’09 FRC.

- As its name suggests, the car would use a fixed, non-removable roof to increase structural rigidity.

- Since low weight and high performance are the goals here, the six-speed manual would be the only available transmission. And while we’re dreaming, why not offer a range of gear ratios for the rear diff?

- While an LS7 engine would be ideal, that race-bred, titanium-intensive mill would almost certainly nudge the car out of our desired price range. The eminently capable LS3 will have to do, perhaps with a tuning tweaks few to bump output to the magic 450hp level.

- Options would be limited to items that abet speed and limit avoirdupois. Lightweight, cloth-covered seats with manual adjustments would be mandatory, as would the Z51 Performance Package. Sorry, no OnStar, premium sound, power telescoping steering, luggage shade, or dual-zone A/C here (though a basic HVAC system could be offered as an option).

- To set it apart, the car would get a model-specific wheel design (in Competition Gray, naturally) and a limited palette of available colors.

- Pricing would need to come in somewhere below the $45,995 MSRP of the base coupe, with production limited to, say, 10,000 units per year to ensure an element of exclusivity.

Sounds like a winner to us. What do you think?

After a milestone year in 2008 that saw the introduction of the LS3 6.2L V-8 as the new standard engine, a custom, leather-wrapped interior and more upgrades, the Corvette powers into 2009 with a raft of enhancements that further distinguish it and give customers more choices – including a lower-priced convertible model.

Major changes for ’09 include a more affordable 1LT convertible package and Bluetooth wireless-phone connectivity, along with two new custom leather-wrapped interior choices. The Z06 retains it 505hp LS7 engine and adds new “spider”-design wheels, increased capacity for the dry-sump oiling system, and interior trim revisions. We think it's the best-looking Z yet, especially when cloaked in the sinister Cyber Gray finish shown here.

Route 66, which aired from 1960 to 1964, is one of the most brilliant dramas to emerge from the ’60s, famous for its catchy Nelson Riddle theme song, intriguing characters, top-drawer writing, and stellar guest-star appearances.  The original “road trip” drama, this classic television series was one of the most highly rated of the era, establishing the Corvette as an American icon.

Now for the first time, you can own the complete Season 1 of this treasured television classic in Route 66: Complete First Season Television Series, an eight-disc collector’s set in stores Aug. 5.
 
These special collector’s sets of Route 66 have been digitally remastered with the original aspect ratio of 4:3 (1.33:1) to preserve the original program as closely as possible while maximizing picture and audio quality for today’s television formats.
 
In Route 66, Yale graduate Tod Stiles (Martin Milner) is an intellectual who has led a privileged and sheltered life.  Buz Murdock (George Maharis) is a tough young man, raised in “Hell’s Kitchen,” struggling his entire life just to survive.
 
When his wealthy father dies, Tod finds himself unexpectedly penniless with just one possession, a powder-blue Chevrolet Corvette.  On a quest to find adventure – and themselves – Tod and Buz hit the open road in the ultimate American journey.
 
In search of excitement, the duo traverses the famed Route 66, which stretches from Chicago, Ill., to Santa Monica, Calif.  Encountering people from all walks of life – ranch hands, bodyguards, shrimp-boat crewmen, prospectors and beautiful women. The show featured a renowned list of guest stars, including Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Walter Matthau, Martin Sheen, James Caan, Burt Reynolds, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Lon Chaney Jr., Ron Howard, Lee Marvin, Suzanne Pleshette, Ed Asner, Julie Newmar, Cloris Leachman, and Leslie Nielsen, to name a few.
 
Created by Academy Award-winning writer Stirling Silliphant (In The Heat of The Night) and prolific producer Herbert Leonard (Naked City, Rin Tin Tin, Circus Boy, Popi) and shot entirely on location around the country, Route 66 offered television viewers a unique anthology series with groundbreaking production values and meaningful dramatic themes.
 
Come along for the ride and get your kicks on Route 66.  Special features on Route 66: Complete First Season Television Series include classic original TV commercials; filmographies of the stars and special guests; and a classic Corvette photo gallery and specs.
 

Route 66: Complete First Season Television Series (8 discs)
Roxbury Entertainment/Infinity Entertainment Group

Genre: Classic TV/B&W

Not Rated

Format:  DVD Only

Running Time:  Approx. 27 hours
Suggested Retail Price: $49.98

The official Corvette ZR1 numbers are in and they're good. Very good:

$103,300 MSRP (including $850 destination charge)
EPA-estimated fuel economy of 14 city and 20 highway
0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds
0-100 mph in 7.0 seconds
Quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.3 seconds at 131 mph

The Corvette ZR1 also has a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h), making it the fastest Corvette ever produced and ranking it among the world's supercars. None of those other super cars, however, equals the ZR1's performance-per-dollar ratio.

"The ZR1 is an incredible machine by any measure," said Ed Peper, North American Vice President, Chevrolet. "There's simply no other vehicle in the world that does a better job of balancing performance, price, and fuel economy."

Performance Perspective
The Corvette ZR1's 0-60 performance is 0.3-second quicker than the already-quick Corvette Z06, and the 0-100-mph performance is nearly a full second quicker: 7 seconds vs. the Z06's 7.9 seconds. This performance is equal to or better than many supercars costing substantially more.

"A favorable power-to-weight ratio gives the ZR1 an advantage over the competition and performance that has to be experienced to fully appreciate," said Tom Wallace, Corvette chief engineer. "Of course, on a racetrack, drivers of competitors' cars may appreciate the ZR1 in a whole different manner."

And the racetrack isn't the only place where the ZR1 trumps its supercar competitors: It beats them at the gas pump, too. According to fueleconomy.gov, the ZR1's EPA-rated 14 city and 20 highway mileage ratings beat '08 competitors such as the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (11 city / 15 highway), the Lamborghini Murcielago (8 city / 13 highway), and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (12 city / 19 highway). They're competitive with the Dodge Viper (13 city / 22 highway) and the Porsche 911 GT3 (15 city / 22 highway).

Under the Carbon-fiber Hood
A new LS9 6.2L supercharged small-block engine powers the ZR1's performance capability. Heavy-duty and lightweight reciprocating components support high-rpm performance, while a new, sixth-generation supercharger (and complementing charge-cooling system) helps the LS9 make big power and torque across the rpm range. The engine is hand-assembled at GM's Performance Build Center, in Wixom, Mich.

In addition to the LS9 engine, the ZR1 is a technology powerhouse, designed with unique, lightweight components that reinforce its performance with a confident feel on either a highway or road course.

Options
The standard ZR1 comes with accoutrements based on the Z06, including lightweight seats and lightweight content. The available uplevel interior package includes power-adjustable, heated, and leather-trimmed sport seats (embroidered with the ZR1 logo); side air bags; a Bose premium audio system; a navigation system; Bluetooth connectivity; a power telescoping steering column; a custom, leather-wrapped interior available in four colors; and more. Chrome wheels are the only other available option on the ZR1. Detailed pricing is noted below.

$103,300 Base MSRP including destination
$1,700 Gas guzzler tax
$10,000 Option package
$2,000 Chrome wheels

The second race of the FIA GT Championship, at the Monza circuit, ended in a glorious victory for Christophe Bouchut/Xavier Maassen with the No. 3 Corvette C6.R of the Belgian Selleslagh Racing Team (SRT).

As a result, the French/Dutch combination now leads the championship. Bouchut/Maassen started the two-hour race from the first row and crossed the finish line with a lead of approximately 25 seconds on the runners-up. “The entire weekend was just perfect,” said Maassen. “Our team chose the perfect race strategy and Christophe Bouchut was an enormous support.” Bouchut drove the first stint and handed the C6.R in perfect condition halfway the race over to Maassen.

The Corvettes could have scored even better this weekend, had the No. 5 GMAC Corvette C6.R of Swiss Marcel Fässler and Jean Denis Déletraz not been forced to retire after a hit by another car. And the No. 6 GMAC sister car of Mike Hezemans/Fabrizio Gollin just lacked a little bit of time to clench the victory, though it had started the race from the 29th position on the grid.

The Dutch/Italian team finished fourth, within less than a minute from the winning Corvette. An excellent result, given the disastrous starting position at the back of the field. The day before, the qualifying session of Hezemans/Gollin ended even before a single lap time had been set, when they were hit by an opponent. But the Phoenix Carsport mechanics worked all night and thanks to their effort the No. 6 GMAC Corvette was ready again on the day of the race. Both drivers pulled off a great race in which they managed to catch up splendidly.

In the Citation Cup, the GT1 category for ‘gentleman-drivers’, the Austrian Corvette C5-R of Wolfgang Kaufmann and Aliaksandr Talkanitsa finished first. This duo now also ranks highest in the Citation Cup table. In the two one-hour races for the FIA GT3 European Championship, Corvettes were up front too. With their Team Callaway Z06.R GT3, the French team Arnaud Peyroles/James Ruffier finished in third position on Saturday and in second position on Sunday. They now also occupy the runner-up position in the championship.

The French team of Marc Sourd drove the Z06.R GT3 to pole position on Saturday and won the race. However, his pit crew unfortunately switched the identical-looking A and B tire sets (the A tires are for the Saturday, the B set is for Sunday). Consequently, Marc Sourd was disqualified after the race.

The next FIA GT1 race is on 21 June at the Adria circuit near Treviso (Italy). This is a relatively slow circuit compared to the fast and spectacular Monza track and therefore less suited to the Corvettes.

Race calendar:

21+22 June Treviso (Italy) GT1
5+6 July Oschersleben (Germany) GT1+GT3
3+4 August Spa (Belgium) GT1 only
23+24 August Bucharest (Romania) GT1
13+14 September Brno (Czech Republic) GT1+GT3
4+5 October Nogaro (France) GT1+GT3
18+19 October Zolder (Belgium) GT1
date T.B.D. Dubai (United Arab Emirates) GT3
22+23 November San Luis (Argentina) GT1

Last week, we told you about the Great American Run, a coast-to-coast road rally with a minimum of $100,000 in payouts hosted by Cannonball Run World Events Ltd.

Check out their new promotional poster featuring an ‘09 Corvette ZR1.

For the second consecutive year, Corvette Racing finished Second in the GT1 class in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen and Ron Fellows completed 344 laps in their No. 63 Compuware Corvette C6.R, finishing on the lead lap with the winning No. 009 Aston Martin DBR9 of David Brabham, Antonio Garcia, and Darren Turner. The No. 64 Compuware Corvette C6.R driven by Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Max Papis finished Third with 341 laps completed.

The twice-around-the-clock race featured a hard-fought battle for the GT1 title between Corvette Racing and Aston Martin Racing. The No. 63 Corvette C6.R and the No. 009 Aston Martin DBR9 were in lockstep from the start, trading the lead and separated by less than a lap in the running order for hour after hour. Rain arrived at the Circuit de la Sarthe before sunrise and returned as the race drew to a close, compelling teams and drivers to develop new strategies and make difficult tire decisions in the rapidly changing conditions.

The turning point came in the 17th hour when the Corvette Racing crew had to replace the No. 63 Corvette's right front brake pads. Although the work was finished in less than 90 seconds, the Aston Martin gained valuable track position. After scoring five wins in seven years, Corvette finished second to Aston Martin Racing for the second year.

"Once again, we saw one of the epic battles in all of sports-car racing," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "When you can take two cars, run them for 24 hours, and have them finish just minutes apart, it's an incredible achievement for both teams. We had a brake issue with the No. 63 Corvette and overcame a problem with the alternator in the No. 64 Corvette, and both cars finished on the podium. When we look at Corvette Racing's overall record and performance here at Le Mans, Chevrolet can be proud."

In the sixth hour, the No. 64 suffered a broken alternator connection that required six minutes to repair. Then at 19:24 into the race, the crew removed and replaced the engine compartment undertray. Papis rejoined the race five minutes later, losing one lap in the process. Both Corvettes made 29 pit stops during the 24-hour race.

"This has probably been the best we've been able to race for the entire distance," commented team manager Gary Pratt. "We had a good strategy to pick up a lap by running 14-lap fuel stints, but we got hung up by the safety car. In the night and in the rain, the Astons could pull away from us a little, and we couldn't seem to get it back. We started to catch up in the daylight, but then the rain returned. The Corvette Racing team worked hard, we never gave up, and we made it a close race."

"The effort that Chevrolet and Corvette Racing put into this event is gigantic," said Johnny O'Connell. "Ninety-nine percent of teams would be ecstatic to finish Second at Le Mans two years in a row, but we have high expectations and lofty goals at Corvette Racing. Had the weather not gone the way it did, with our strategy of going 14 laps on a fuel stint, the race might have gone our way. The spectators saw the two best teams in sports car racing go toe-to-toe today, and I'm very proud of the effort that everyone put forth."

Corvette Racing's next event is the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn., on July 12.

Corvette Racing won the GT1 pole at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time as Jan Magnussen set the pace in June 12th’s final qualifying session. Magnussen's 3:47.669 lap time in the No. 63 Compuware Corvette C6.R was the quickest in the GT1 division, while Oliver Gavin qualified the No. 64 Compuware Corvette C6.R Third in the category at 3:48.539.

"It was a really good lap," said Magnussen. "We've hit on something good, and we just need to work on the setup in small steps."

Predictions for evening showers in the Loire Valley proved to be inaccurate, but a flurry of red flags interrupted the first hours of qualifying and practice. The first session, scheduled to run from 7 to 9 p.m., lost a total of 52 minutes to two red flags. Magnussen and Gavin both turned their fast times on their first flying laps at the start of the night qualifying session at 9:45 p.m.

"It didn't start off too well because we were all packed together," Magnussen recalled. "I thought I'd be able to pass two GT2 cars in front of me on my out lap, but I didn't catch them until Tertre Rouge on my first flyer. I lost some time on the straightaway, but just as I was starting to get angry, a prototype whipped past me. I got into his slipstream and got back all of the time I'd lost!"

Magnussen's pole-winning time was 4.461 seconds faster than the C6.R's qualifying pace in 2007. Last year the top Corvette qualified at 3:52.130, putting it Third in the GT1 field.

"Winning the pole at Le Mans is historic, but at some point in time it was also inevitable," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "It's a testament to the team's perseverance, dedication to the mission, flawless preparation, and, most of all, to GM management's belief in the value of this program. That commitment has allowed Corvette Racing to compete here at Le Mans for nine consecutive years, and that continuity is what produces success.

"The Corvettes' improvement in performance is attributable not only to the guys who work on the cars, but also the engineers who develop the chassis and aerodynamics, our partners at Michelin, and Katech, which has been our partner on engine development since the program's inception. Everybody knew they had to put their shoulder to the wheel this year. We weren't happy with the outcome last year, and I think tonight we showed just how unhappy we were."

The last time Corvette won a class pole at Le Mans was in 1976 when John Greenwood set the fast time in the IMSA class with a 3:54 second lap. Chicanes were subsequently installed on the course to slow the cars.

"It's always great fun going out there and racing against Jan, trying to put a good lap down," said Gavin. "But we're not just racing the No. 63 Corvette—there’s some really strong competition here. It can't get any tighter at the top, and they’re the cars that are going to be in contention for a win.

"Hats off to the crew at Corvette Racing," Gavin continued. "They've done a marvelous job of preparing the cars and finding a substantial amount of speed. Of course, I'm disappointed not to be the fast qualifier, but we're going to look at the data with my engineers and see where the differences are. The car will be virtually brand new for the race."

The Le Mans regulations require that all drivers complete three laps in darkness during qualifying. After losing track time to red flags in yesterday's session, Johnny O'Connell and Olivier Beretta both completed their mandatory night qualifying laps.

"It was very important to complete three laps in darkness to qualify, and I was quite happy during my night test," said Beretta. "Jan did a very good lap, and both cars were very quick. The conditions were very good—the track was cool and clean.

"Le Mans qualifying is good for the ego, but it doesn't make the race," Beretta cautioned. "We still have 24 hours in front of us. We just have to stay cool and calm, and see what happens."

On Friday, the drivers will participate in the Parade des Pilotes (drivers parade) through the streets of Le Mans while the Corvette Racing crew installs fresh LS7.R small-block V-8 engines in the Corvette C6.R race cars. The 24 Hours of Le Mans will start at 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. EDT) on Saturday, June 14, and finish at 3 p.m. (9 a.m. EDT) on Sunday, June 15. SPEED will televise the start of the race live on June 14 from 8:30 a.m. EDT to 12 p.m. EDT, and the finish from 9 p.m. EDT on June 14 to 9:30 a.m. EDT on June 15.