The most successful team in the history of the American Le Mans Series will be building on its legacy in 2008. Corvette Racing announced its intentions to compete in all 12 Series rounds with its familiar two-car factory effort in GT1. At stake next season are its eighth consecutive manufacturer and team championships along with another win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“Corvette Racing was conceived as a long-term program to showcase the performance, technology and value of Chevrolet’s world-class sports car,” said Mark Kent, director of GM Racing. “Since the team’s competition debut in 1999, Corvette Racing’s success in top-tier road racing has produced a strong return on our investment, paying dividends in marketing, engineering, technology transfer, personnel development and other areas of our business. Corvette is now a performance icon that’s recognized around the world, and Corvette Racing’s continued participation in the American Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be an important element in the global celebration of GM’s 100th anniversary in 2008.”
Corvette Racing has won seven consecutive GT1 manufacturers and team championships and six straight drivers championships in American Le Mans Series competition. The team holds the Series records for class victories (57) and 1-2 finishes (40).
“Our decision to compete in all 12 rounds of the American Le Mans Series schedule in 2008 reflects our commitment to our sponsors, our suppliers and to Corvette enthusiasts worldwide,” said Steve Wesoloski, GM Racing Road Racing Group manager. “There is a reason why thousands of Corvette owners attend Corvette Corrals at American Le Mans Series events and why the autograph line at Corvette Racing is the longest in the Series paddock: Racing is an integral part of Corvette’s history and heritage, and we are continuing that tradition.
“Experience teaches us that motorsports is cyclical, and the GT1 category is currently in transition,” Wesoloski observed. “Would we like to see more competition in GT1 in the American Le Mans Series? Absolutely! But in the absence of season-long competition, we are absolutely committed to controlling our own destiny. We are pushing hard to develop our chassis and powertrain, to refine our race strategy, and to continuously improve every element of the program. We know that the competition at Le Mans will be intense, and we will use the American Le Mans Series to hone the race cars, the drivers and the team to prepare for it.”
Corvette Racing will test two new Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars in February in preparation for the season-opening round of the Series, the 56th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida, on March 15, 2008.
American Le Mans SeriesUnited SportsCar Championship