The Corvette C6.R GT1 car had its last hurrah at the Long Beach leg of the American Le Mans Series GT1 championship, but today General Motors unveiled the car that will be replacing it – the C6.R GT2, based on the Corvette ZR1.
With the season half over already, Corvette Racing will be using the final five rounds to test and develop the car for next year. The decision to run the car in GT2 is based in part on an upcoming move to a unified GT category in ALMS racing, which will pit the ZR1-based racer against the likes of Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche, Viper, Jaguar, BMW, Panoz and Ford.
“The global movement toward a single GT class will allow us to compete head-to-head with more marketplace competitors while increasing both the production content of the Corvette C6.R race cars and the relevance of racing to our customers. This is a step that positions Corvette for …Â Details
The Vallejo track began its first full season of brakeless, gearless, methanol-fueled motorcycle racing this past May 16 before having to shut down June 27 due to events at the adjacent Solano County Fairgrounds.
It resumed its schedule of Saturday night racing Aug. 1. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for ages 6-12, and free for ages 5 and younger. There is a $3 parking fee. Gates open at 6 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30. The track regularly draws about 40 competitors and features …Â Details
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German gearbox specialist ZF unveiled an 8-speed automatic gearbox at the Vienna Motor Symposium back in 2007 but this was just the first of a raft of advanced technologies the company is planning for the coming years. The addition of these new features are claimed to be able to improve fuel-economy by 18% on gasoline-powered vehicles and 30% on hybrids, and we should be seeing the first of these technologies as early as the 2010 model year.
The information comes from ZF vice president of corporate research Harald Naunheimer, who spoke recently with Automotive News. He said pushing the improvements are lighter materials, more efficient electrical systems that replace heavier mechanical ones and transmissions with more gears.
Naunheimer revealed that …Â Details
Andy Lally will race at Watkins Glen this weekend in his usual ride in the Grand-Am Rolex Series but he also will take up a new challenge. The American has demonstrated in his career already that he can step from one type of cockpit into another quite easily. This coming weekend, he will make his debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
“This is without a doubt, hands-down the biggest motor sport day I’ve ever looked forward to in my life,” said Lally in his teleconference on August 4th. “I’ve got to thank Kevin Buckler and all the guys from TRG Motorsports that put their faith in me. And all the partners that got behind me and wanted to give me a shot to come here. And Adobe Road Winery for sponsoring the car this weekend.”  … Details