GM will switch to a customer program next season as it transitions to the new Z06 GT3.Rs. That means this is the last factory-backed appearance of Corvette Racing at Le Mans after 22 years and eight victories with three different generations of America’s premier sports car.
In the future, two customer-owned Z06 GT3.Rs are anticipated for the WEC.
To say the current Corvette Racing WEC team is fired up about bringing the C8.R its first victory at Le Mans would be an understatement. When Nico Varrone crashed in the first free practice, the team completely rebuilt the right side of the car and got Nicky Catsburg out into qualifying in the “nick” of time. His lap advanced the team to the final round of Hyperpole. The repairs included suspension pieces, brakes, front and rear fenders, door and rocker panels, plus the wing, rear facia and decklids, among other items.
“It sounds weird now, but it was a nice boost actually for everyone,” said Catsburg. “It’s a good feeling to know we have made it.”
Texan Ben Keating then won the pole in the Hyperpole session by getting a tow from a rival Ferrari down the Mulsanne straight.
“I passed him into Mulsanne (corner), and he didn’t slow me down any. It was incredible and I thought that was as good as it gets.”
Team manager Marc Maurini said the best time to see who is quickest in the GTE Am race is around nightfall in France (or 4 p.m. EDT).
The Corvette team has something in it’s back pocket for the race, he said, but so do the other teams.
“About 10 or 11 o’clock at night, (4 to 5 p.m. EDT) you start to realize who you’re racing against. In terms of our car speed, that depends on how well everybody else is prepared. But in operational terms, we’re at the top of our game.”
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