The Corvette C8.R could be dead as we know from the 2022 season onward, with IMSA outlining plans for a new GT3-based GTD Pro class to replace the GTLM class after this year.
The new GTD Pro class will feature pro drivers in factory-backed GT3-spec machinery, although customer teams will also be allowed to compete in the category with Pro-Am or Am-Am lineups. This differs from the current GTLM class, which features slightly faster and more advanced GTLM/GTE-spec cars, pro drivers and is mainly intended for factory-backed teams.
As it stands, the Corvette C8.R would not be eligible for the GTD Pro class, as it was built for the GTLM/GTE regulations. While it is technically possible for the Corvette C8.R to be modified to fall within the GT3 framework, Chevy has said this would be a costly and complicated endeavor.
“As far as changing it, it’s a relatively large task to make sure you’re changing the car, if we were to do that, to the GT3 rulebook,” Corvette Racing team manager Ben Johnson told Sportscar365 during an interview last summer. “It’s not something simple that can be done in a relatively short amount of time.”
“To change a car from GTE to GT3 is not as simple as changing homologation stickers, unfortunately. There’s quite a bit of work to make sure you’re meeting all of the technical regulations for the GT3 platform.”
Corvette Racing also has the option of developing a new prototype race car similar to the Cadillac DPi-V.R that would fit within the new LMDh class, which will replace DPi starting next season. Just like DPi, cars in the LMDh class will be based on LMP2 chassis from one of four suppliers: Dallara, Oreca, Ligier and Multimatic. Manufacturers will be allowed to use their own combustion engines, but they will be paired with a spec hybrid system comprising a 67 horsepower Bosch motor and lithium-ion battery supplied by Williams.
An artist’s rendering of a generic LMDh car design
Newly appointed Chevy sports car program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser has said Corvette Racing will evaluate both the GT3 and LMDh classes for potential involvement. While it’s not clear which route the team will take, one thing is for sure: Corvette Racing will continue to race in top-tier series like IMSA and the FIA WEC going forward – whether that means developing a GT3 Corvette or a new LMDh prototype.
“We have explored all of the options and they’re still on the table,” Wontrop Klauser said earlier this month. “What we need to understand is where we want to position the key brands that we have in racing, Corvette being one of them. Racing is in Corvette’s DNA. For sure we need to have Corvette on the grid somewhere, but understanding what capacity that’s going to be, that’s been part of figuring things out.”
Subscribe to GM Authority for more GM motorsports and racing news, IMSA racing news, Corvette Racing news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I just can’t see Corvette going the LMDh route since Cadillac is already there.
It’s pretty simple actually. There are no performance hybrid production cars coming from Cadillac. Cadillac’s future is with electric cars. Tough to be in “Motorsports” without a motor. 😉 Maybe they’ll go Formula E racing.
The Corvette, on the other hand, has a couple of performance oriented hybrid combos coming in the next few years, starting with the E-Ray. I don’t think anyone needs to have attended Marketing 101 to see the links there.
GT3 please.
This just stinks. There’s no alternative that’s good enough tbh.
What about the Le Mans Hypercar category?
Or is that meant to be the LMDh?
Hypercar will race alongside LMDh. Same class
NASCAR forgot that a large part of their fanbase was people who love cars. They morphed every team into spec racers that had nothing to do with what you “buy on Monday”, and car guys like me lost all interest. All prototype classes, but especially LMDh have no interest for me. Spec cars with different styling for the front cap that has zero relation to anything I can buy. GT Racing is THE reason I love sports car racing. Viper winning LeMans is why I bought my 96 GTS. Corvette winning LeMans is why I bought my 06 Z06. My biggest panic is the idea of Corvette not racing in a GT class at LeMans, but if the ACO does not make regulation changes that is exactly what is about to happen and that is heartbreaking.
Many here could see the writhing on the wall. We have been through this before as road racing is ever evolving.
The Hybrid cars are prototype cars and that is not in the best interest of the Corvette.
The GT3 and GTD class to be honest would be much better to showcase the Corvette. The present car other than frame rails really shares little with the production car. The new class would be much more based on a production car.
Then they would also be racing more high profile cars and exotics.
It should not take long to build new cars but testing takes time and money.
As for LeMans Corvette will be there and competitive.
IMSA and the AOC need to get together and sort things out with the mfgs and get the cars all closer so they can cross over easier. For so many years they were not the same hand it had hurt both series. To continue working together will be key for the future of both with the virus killing the sponsor budgets and mfg participation.
Add this on top of GM going all electric by 2035! What’s an old gearhead to do!
Seriously! What will happen when you can’t hear a Chevy V8 on power take off? It’s bad enough when Ford puts a Mustang logo on an electric car? What a joke. It’s going to be like a “Mad Max” movie, all of us driving around in our Corvettes fighting each other for fuel.
GM also said we all would be driving on E-85 (flexfuel) and that went away when the buyers said no.
At the rate things are going racing may not be around. Attendances is down and sponsor money is scarce. If things don’t turn around we are going to see major series fail before the ICE is gone.
Get a horse
Best thing to happen GT racing as a whole. If IMSA adopts global GT3 rules, it would allow the cars to compete worldwide. It will allow Corvette Racing to prove their mettle against all the manufacturers they compete against for sales on the world stage. GTLM was dying because it was US only and Corvette generally dominated the class despite IMSA’s best efforts with BoP.
I hope Corvette racing goes the GT3 route. It’s much more a class that pits production based cars against their competitors. IMO “prototype” racers aren’t prototypes at all as they rarely evolve into production cars.
GM wants to race against ford so they can sell silverados against f-150s as that is where the profits are to be made.
There needs to be a GM race car that looks like a Corvette and has a relationship to the production Corvette otherwise they will turn off a number of customers!
I guess Mary Barra must be CEO of IMSA now too!! The stupidity.
Are you kidding me?!?!?! I’ve followed this series most of my adult life and I’m 52….Talk about neutering this industry and alienating your base! The entire world has obviously gone mad! Very dissapointed… SMH
Wrong answer Laura! Your have caused irreparable damage to the Corvette racing heritage. Corvette was made to dominate racing! I bet you drive a Porsche.
I am done with IMSA Racing. Fans want to see cars on the track that resemble cars on the street. I am sick of seeing full on prototypes cars & killing the GTLM Class is killing millions Corvette fans as well as the BMW’s, Porches Ferraris Aston Martins etc… if Corvette seems to always be penalized with under powered cars ( BOP) and always penalized with a ton of extra wt. like what just happened in the 24 hr IMSA race. ps (notice no one in the stands & if Corvette and Ford, Ferrari, Porsche BMW, Aston Martin etc…can’t have a fair race at La Mans then car racing is dead too the General American public.