C6-R Comes In Second And Third In SebringHolding off the competition for the first eight hours of the GT1 Class of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring race on March 19, Corvette's venerable racing team suffered in the final third of the race as both cars sustained debilitating damage in two accidents. A brake rotor failure in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette sent the C6-R into the wall, as the No. 4 Compuware car had to be docked for extensive repairs after a hard collision with another vehicle earlier in the race.
"I'm disappointed that we had to finish Second and Third because the cars were good enough to finish First and Second," admitted Doug Fehan, GM Racing program manager for Corvette Racing. "The thing I'm most proud about is that this team simply does not give up in the face of adversity. Within 30 minutes, both cars were essentially put out of the race, yet after repairs they were back racing at full speed." Starting in the 8th and 9th positions among 38 others, the Corvettes were quickly First and Second in the GT1 Class and Third and Fourth overall after eight hours of racing. It began to unravel as a front brake rotor failed at high speed on the No. 3 Corvette. After the crew replaced the brakes and taped the damaged body panels, the battered C6-R was back in the race. Fourteen minutes later, the No. 4 car made contact with another car in Turn 11 that severely damaged the right rear suspension. Replacing the rear upright control arms, tie rod and halfshaft, the Corvette returned to overcome a 10-lap deficit in the final 30 minutes as the Third Place Saleen S7R pitted with an oil leak.
"After the crew repaired the car, it was running strongly, quickly and predictably-all the things a driver wants when he's racing around Sebring in the dark," said Gavin. "We led for so long, but the No. 4's luck struck again. Today's result backs up all the hard work that Corvette Racing has done to keep us in there. The philosophy here is, 'Never give up.' We've seen that at Le Mans, and we saw it here again today."
New Z06 427 Will Be SoldAs A GM Crate EngineAs Chevrolet unveiled the '06 Corvette Z06 at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in January, GM Performance Parts finally released information on the long-awaited crate engine version of the LS7 engine. The latest Z06, pitched as "the fastest, most powerful car ever offered by Chevrolet and GM," has had Corvette enthusiasts pining for that kind of power in a crate engine since its first mention. GM Performance Parts is finally ready to end that search as it offers the LS7 at dealerships and authorized centers nationwide in August 2005.
The small-block V-8 displaces big-block cubic inches with 427 cubic inches thumping out 500 hp [now 505 hp.-Ed.] at 6,200 rpm and 475 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. Making this power and high-revving capability is a gamut of parts such as "cylinder heads with computer numerical control (CNC) intake and exhaust ports and combustion chambers, which create ports with surgical accuracy for maximum power production. In addition, the intake valves and connecting rods are made of high-strength lightweight titanium."
Pricing will be released by midsummer; yet, early estimates indicate the GMPP LS7 crate engine will sell for well below the cost of comparable custom-built aftermarket engines, much to the delight of enthusiasts wanting to scare away the stigma of low-powered small-blocks. Those enthusiasts will be greeted with the latest technology, maximum horsepower, and the largest-production cubic-inch displacement small-block ever built. Following the release of the LS7 in a crate, GMPP will offer select parts, such as crankshafts, connecting rods, cylinder heads, and valves separately and in kit form. To locate the closest GM dealership or GMPP Authorized Center or dealership, call (800) GM USE US or visit www.goodwrench.com.