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Corvette Racing Wins GTE Am Class At 24 Hours Of Le Mans 2023

The No. 33 Corvette Racing C8.R, driven by Nicky Catsburg, Ben Keating and Nico Varrone, put forth a valiant effort at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the weekend of June 10th through 11th, 2023, finishing 26th overall, but scoring the victory in the GTE Am class.

Things got a little interesting for the Chevrolet team early on, as only a few hours in, the front suspension of the No. 33 Corvette Racing C8.R began to act up. Catsburg, who was at the wheel at the time, brought the No. 33 Corvette to the attention of the crew, who replaced a shock to correct the issue before sending the race car back out, last in the GTE Am division.

After a series of well-timed pit stops, the No. 33 Corvette muscled back into competition and took command of the GTE Am lead. Other participants in the division suffered crashes or needed repairs, giving Corvette Racing just the window it needed in order to stay out front.

“All of our strategy completely went out the window,” Keating explained of the broken shock on the C8.R racer. “We had everything lined up and planned exactly how we were going to do it. Nico got sick and I didn’t plan on doing any driving [at night], and I ended up driving from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. I didn’t plan on doing any driving in the rain, and I ended up having a stint in the rain. Everything got turned on its head. It turned out that it was exactly what we needed to get our laps back. The way we won it is special. To feel like it was out of reach and then watch this team claw back and get victory out defeat’s grasp was really special.”

It’s worth noting that last weekend’s Le Mans race was the last in which a factory backed Corvette Racing team will compete, as General Motors is abandoning the program upon conclusion of the 2023 racing season.

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Alexandra is a Colorado-based journalist with a passion for all things involving horsepower, be it automotive or equestrian.

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Comments

  1. Congrats Corvette Team! I watch it where I could. They did a great job of fighting back to the top. After this season I watch all the Corvette Team best of luck in were they all end up at, hopefully on the tracks again with helping new Corvette teams out.

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  2. An awesome win for Team Corvette…

    After having the suspension problem earlier in the race, they got it figured out, but wound up in last. They powered back through the field and won their class. Ironically, GTE Am is going away next year, but Corvette will be ready for their next venture.

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  3. They had to fight back for this one. Saw 19 of the 24 hours.

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  4. Great to see America’s Sports Car at LeMans, even better to win its class!

    Ferrari and Porsche, you’re next.

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  5. Congratulations Corvette Racing Team.🇺🇸

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  6. I have watch Corvette at LeMans for all their recent races since the C5. This by far was their best run.

    Many were not aware the car was crashed hard before qualifying. It was rebuilt with an all new right side including the floor of the car. Then they got the pole. The strut issue was bad but the pace car issue was worse. To come back in this weather from almost 3 laps really says what kind of team they had. Even in the late laps they were setting fast lap of the race times.

    Please note too while we all complain about the BOP method we must remember the Corvette team had a marked advantage in speed and power this year and was not docked anything. Yes they get screwed some years but this one we did not get screwed, We really needed that advantage as we would have never made up that time with out a very fast car. This race was not handed to them as they did have to work hard for it.

    I am looking forward to the future and up to 8 Corvettes running these events globally if all goes as planned.

    GM will supply the cars, tech and parts and the teams will run the races with sponsorship.

    Who are the teams. No one knows for sure yet. I suspect the Garage 56 was also a recon for Hendrick Motorsports who could field Corvettes next year. Also keep in mind Pratt and Miller could still field cars as an independent team.

    Also note there will be new tires next year in the WEC. I am hearing Goodyear and Pirelli.

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  7. “Chevy’s Forever”

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  8. When it’s your day, when all of the stars in the universe align themselves in just the right way, and although you have to throw all of your best laid plans right out the window, you still come out a winner, it’s just life and you and your team should enjoy and bask in the glow! To confront all of those crazy events and still come out a winner is remarkable and it speaks volumes for the amazing teamwork and “take no prisoners” attitude that gives this Corvette Team it’s ability to win…this and “Lady Luck” ( this can work for you or against you) on your side makes for an interesting race almost every time. Keep up the good work and never, ever lose faith that all your hard work will someday payoff, and this time, at this race, it all came together!
    Congratulations, a win at Le Mans is a win to be proud of, it’s now in the race history books, once again! Bravo!

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    1. Also when the BOP is working for you.

      They will add weight for the next race.

      Also when teams have anniversary dates they always see a good bop.

      Not taking away anything from the team as they still had to work for this one but they were bloody fast when they needed to be.

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  9. Great

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  10. Another dumb move by General Motors getting out of the racing business people do pay attention

    Reply

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