Surprise early unveiling for new Corvette C8.R
Chevrolet has pulled the covers off its new Corvette C8.R with a surprise reveal of the brand's first mid-engine racer.
The C8.R had been expected to be launched during next weekend's IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season finale at Petit Le Mans, but was instead unveiled during the new Corvette Stingray launch at the Kennedy Space Centre.
It was also confirmed that the GT Le Mans contender will make its competitive debut at next January's Rolex 24 at Daytona, the opening round of the 2020 IMSA season.
Technical details, including what engine will power the car, are yet to be made official.
“The C8.R is much more than just a race-tuned version of the 2020 Corvette Stingray," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet US vice president of performance and motorsports.
"It’s a culmination of many years of testing and development between GM Design, Propulsion, Engineering and the Corvette Racing team.
“The collaboration between these teams has allowed us to take these vehicles’ performance to the next level, both on the street and the track.”
The C8.R will replace the C7.R, a GTE Pro class Le Mans winner in 2015 thanks to Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner and Jordan Taylor.
It's one of two new GTLM cars that will race in IMSA next year, along with the new Porsche 911 RSR-19 that is already racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Corvette will aim to give the C7.R a winning send-off at Petit Le Mans next weekend and end a losing streak dating back to last year's Long Beach round.
Corvette C8.R
Corvette C8.R
Previous article
Risi Ferrari returns to IMSA for Petit Le Mans
Next article
Action Express likely to field one car in 2020
About this article
| Series | Le Mans , IMSA |
| Author | Andrew van Leeuwen |
24 Hours of Daytona Video Recap
24 Hours of Daytona: Fourth Place for Ferrari
Watch the entire Rolex 24 in just over a minute
The GTE dilemma that IMSA has created for the WEC
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s decision to scrap its GT Le Mans class for 2022 raises the question of whether the FIA World Endurance Championship should phase out GTE cars. But it's a much harder decision than it appears on the surface.
Nine things to watch at the 2021 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona
After a 100-minute sprint race to whet the appetite, the 2021 IMSA SportsCar Championship gets underway properly this weekend. With plenty of significant changes during the winter, here are the key points you need to keep an eye on
Why Magnussen is relishing a fresh start in sportscars
Having gone over seven years without a race win through spells with McLaren, Renault and Haas, Kevin Magnussen's departure from Formula 1 for IMSA with big-hitters Chip Ganassi Racing could give him what he craves most - a chance of success
Oliver Gavin's Corvette Racing highlights
Oliver Gavin has stepped down from the full-time Corvette Racing line-up after a stellar career with the team spanning nearly 20 years. He looks back on a stint that encompassed, among other successes, five Le Mans 24 Hours victories.
How Tandy joined an exclusive club of endurance legends
Victory at last year's Spa 24 Hours meant Nick Tandy had completed the unofficial sextuple crown of the world's six biggest endurance races, becoming the first Briton to do so. Ahead of his fresh start with Corvette Racing, he explains how he did it…
The 12 greatest Sebring 12 Hours ranked
The 2020 edition of the Florida sportscar classic is finally taking place this weekend, eight months after its traditional date in March. That meant there was plenty of time for Motorsport.com to pour over its previous 67 races and select the best.
Tony Kanaan’s top 10 races – in his own words
The 2004 IndyCar champion and 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan probably hasn’t yet driven his final IndyCar race, but we still asked him for the 10 most significant races of his career. He explained his choices to David Malsher-Lopez.
Why the GTE ruleset looks to have run its course
The GTE ruleset has served sportscar racing in both Europe and the United States well over the past decade. But now there are clear signs that the end of its life is in sight as manufacturer support continues to fade.
