Corvette Racing is one of the more professional outfits in the both the IMSA WeatherTech Championship and the FIA WEC. That’s not much of a surprise, seeing as the operation has been going strong for two decades and is also a well-funded factory operation for the one of the world’s largest and wealthiest automakers, but success never comes easy.
One of the reasons that Corvette Racing is so consistent year-in year-out is that it is always innovating to try and stay ahead of the competition. The team recently put together a video showcasing the various ways it has used technology and innovation to give itself an advantage, with team manager Ben Johnson and long-time driver Jan Magnussen going into detail about these various advancements.
Among these advancements is the rear-facing camera and car identification system, which Corvette Racing and technical partner Bosch had before anyone else. This system shows the driver a rear-facing view on a display in the cockpit and uses color coded arrows to tell the driver which class it is in. Seeing as traffic management is key to stint pace in endurance races like Le Mans, this gave the team a slight advantage at first. Now every team uses a system like this.
Other things, like the team’s ultra fast brake changes and air conditioning system also help the team and driver in endurance events, while unique safety pieces like the driver-side “crash box” help make the Corvette C7.R one of the safest GT cars on any racing grid. Some of these advancements also trickle into General Motors road cars in non-direct ways.
Check out the video embedded above to hear all the ways Corvette Racing stays ahead of the competition – both literally and figuratively.
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Comments
Nice PR video but they are being modest.
The key to this team is preparation, execution and strategy. The attention to detail on 5hese cars are right up there with Penske. They hold high standards.
They also have retained some of the best crew members in road racing like Dan Binks for several decades. Guy like him and the others on the team refine these cars to perfection so failures are rare.
The teams also use strategy that has come from years of racing to gain every advantage they can.
I am excited to see them move to the new C8R and watch them refine it to be the best in class also.
These are purpose built race cars that are works of art. GM has been very lucky to be partners with one of the greatest road race teams of all time.
The technology is nice for PR but the crew and entire team are their advantage.
I’m looking forward to Corvette Racing producing the C8.R racing version of the mid engine Corvette 8 and putting it to test in the hardest and most prestigious endurance race, the 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours.
I hope the new C8 stays with its world leading pushrod v8. Every racing tuner knows this is the best engine on earth! The big OHC V8 is the new way but its not better than Chevrolets little small block!
Ahead of the competition – that’s a joke, right? It’s been a while since a win.
No wins but a number of second and third place finishes this year.
Respectable for a car not seeing much development plus the fact they lost three cars in major crashes.