Corvette for LeMans racing

Power Surge · #1 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by computerworks

http://www.americanlemans.com/home/ALMSHome.aspx

It is the series that runs for example at Sebring

Hmm, ok. So did the C5R and C6R race in the American Series, or were those cars entered in the real 24 hr LeMans race?

VRM · #2 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Surge

Hmm, ok. So did the C5R and C6R race in the American Series, or were those cars entered in the real 24 hr LeMans race?

Both.

Won the GT title for ALMS, and also the GT class at Lemans most recent years except 2003

Power Surge · #3 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 02:31 PM

Thanks. I got a buddy with a wicked Z06, and he always talks like Vettes are the greatest thing since sliced bread. I have no problem giving props when they are deserved, but he's one of those guys who'll trash talk anything Ford just for the joy of doing it. I just like to stuff it in his face from time to time

.

VRM · #4 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Surge

Thanks. I got a buddy with a wicked Z06, and he always talks like Vettes are the greatest thing since sliced bread. I have no problem giving props when they are deserved, but he's one of those guys who'll trash talk anything Ford just for the joy of doing it. I just like to stuff it in his face from time to time

.

Feel free to tell him that the Cobras took the GT class at LeMans almost 40 years before Corvette did. Cobras also beat the Ferrari for the FIA GT championship - something Corvettes (or anybody else) were never able to do.

Steve

Power Surge · #5 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRM

Feel free to tell him that the Cobras took the GT class at LeMans almost 40 years before Corvette did. Cobras also beat the Ferrari for the FIA GT championship - something Corvettes (or anybody else) were never able to do.

Steve

How long has the ALMS been around? Since the 60s? Did the Vettes ever win back then?

VRM · #6 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Surge

How long has the ALMS been around? Since the 60s? Did the Vettes ever win back then?

ALMS has only been around since 1998 or so. The Vipers were beating the Corvettes at Lemans, and probably the first year or two of ALMS as well.

If you google Don Panoz it should have some more specific info on ALMS.

Corvettes did win SCCA championships in 1968, 59, 60, 61, and 62. Cobras won from '63 to '67 and then the Corvettes won again for a few years until Ollie (CSX3009) won again in '73 and '74 (I might be off by a year or two on some of these).

Vettes are great cars, but anything can be beaten by any combination of better car, better driver, or better luck.

Steve

Tommy · #7 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRM

Vettes are great cars, but anything can be beaten by any combination of better car, better driver, or better luck.

Steve

I couldn't agree more. There are lots of folks who think Car A is always better than Car B regardless of the driver, track or set up. It just ain't so.

cobraownr · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRM

...Corvettes did win SCCA championships in 1968, 59, 60, 61, and 62. Cobras won from '63 to '67 and then the Corvettes won again for a few years until Ollie (CSX3009) won again in '73 and '74 (I might be off by a year or two on some of these).Steve

427 Cobras took the SCCA National Championship in A-Production in 1965 (Hal Keck/CSX3008), 1966 (Ed Lother/CSX3009), 1967 (Dick Smith/CSX3035), 1968 (Pete Consiglio/CSX3010) and 1973 (Sam Feinstein/CSX3009). I don't know who won what in A-Prod when the 289 Cobra was in that class before 1965, nor about B-Prod after the 289s got bumped down from A.

VRM · #9 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 02:35 PM

Don Panoz wanted more races than just the Lemans 24 hour race.
he set up the ALMS (and there is a similar series in Europe and Asia). Most of the LM cars were only able to run at Lemans. It was really expensive to develop a car for just one race.
He started the ALMS using identical rules (and with the ACOs permission) as the 24 hour race.
It is probably identified as the American Lemans series to give it some clout with the people (like me and probably Ron) who would like to see more LM type racing.

The C5R and C6R are purpose built for LeMans and ALMS racing.
A stock Corvette would not be competitive in either.

Oh, the ACO stands for Automobile Club l'Ouest - the French organisation that runs the 24 hour race.

Steve