Custom underhood data plate...
Custom underhood data plate show's VIN, build date of Tracey's C6.
So was born the Competition Sport option package (see sidebar for package details), which features the racing stripe, along with the "Jake" C6.R logo. The speed in which this option moved from good idea to RPO almost matches the LS3-powered C6's top speed. "We came up with the idea in May of '07, and this option debuted at the Birthday Bash in April of '09," Tracey says. "This came out about the same time as the GT2 edition, which is yellow-and-black with "Jake" on the hood, and they're both considered late '09 models."
And, yes, Tracey's '08 has the heavy-duty hardware that production CSCs have. "It has the Z51 package and the 3LT interior, which is kind of a basic package," she says. "A lot of people that buy cars to race don't want navigation, heated seats or any of the other bells and whistles that add weight. That makes the car attractive to the person who does a little bit of racing--not the serious SCCA competition that totally changes the Vette-this option allows them to have the race-car look while still having a street-drivable car."
Even the battery box gets...
Even the battery box gets its own "Jake".
Just like her previous Corvettes, which included one show-stopper. "For my '98, I did a design for the side of the car that came from the 'gills,'" she recalls. "It had the C6 emblem and a racing flag in the background as a backdrop, and the emblem had a little bit of flame-work on it. It was a little radical, and that car was shown for two years on the International Show Car Association (ISCA) series. To beat the hot rods and the street rods, I had to come up with something that would grab attention, especially for a newer vehicle showing against older ones."
When it comes to competing on a racecourse with Corvettes, Tracey says that the Museum's high-performance driving events are one way for women to enjoy their Vettes the same way that male Corvette enthusiasts can. "I know from my experience, that they really bring to light the perspective of safety and defensiveness, and understanding the car better" She adds that there aren't enough women involved in those events. "I think that could be a really neat thing-especially the women whose husbands have Vettes, and think of them as their husband's car. "I sometimes feel like, I'm a woman in a guy's hobby," she adds. "When you pass a guy on the track, it really puts it into perspective."
Some say he's never been lapped...
Some say he's never been lapped by a Jaguar...and that his middle name is Zora. All we know is he's called Jake!
And when it comes to finding that "right" Corvette, Tracey says that they're very versatile, especially C5s and C6s. "With the C6, if you're looking for something to tour around in, you have the different suspensions. If you want something a little more rigid, there's the Z51. For people that travel really far, that want a lot of luggage space, there are the coupes. And the convertible is for those that are taking the really short trips, with their hair blowing in the wind. "People can do a lot of investigative work to realize what type of Vette that they want, and that they are more affordable than what people think. People can get into C5s and the early C6s for the high $20,000s to low $30,000s. If you do a lot of homework, you can find a really nice car."
RPO CSC Competition Sport Package Includes
RPO Z51 Performance Package
Dual-mode performance exhaust
6-speed manual transmission
Differential cooler
Red brake calipers
5-split spoke Competition Gray-painted aluminum wheels
Hood-to-roof-to-rear deck stripes
"Jake" graphics inside and out
Racing style numbers (Included in car for customer installation)
Ebony leather seating surfaces interior with Gray stitching
"Jake CSR" embroidery on seats and center console
Head-Up Display
Genuine Corvette Accessories' aluminum pedals and graphic pattern engine cover
Requires exterior color Arctic White or Blade Silver Metallic