Manoli Katakis 
After a year-long lull, racing returns to Detroit with the comeback of the 2021 Belle Isle Grand Prix. The weekend-long event will be highlighted by an IndyCar double-header, with races on both Saturday and Sunday. But if you’re a Corvette Racing fan, you’re going to want to catch the IMSA Chevrolet Sports Car Classic at 5 PM, ET on NBCSN on Saturday, June 12. Corvette Racing will be competing at Belle Isle for the first time ever, as the race has traditionally left out the GTLM class due to scheduling conflicts with Le Mans testing. Before all of that action starts, however, Chevrolet has debuted the 2022 Corvette IMSA GTLM Championship Special Edition with the help of racing drivers Nick Tandy, Tommy Milner, Jordan Taylor, and Antonio Garcia.
2022 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Championship Special Edition
The 2022 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Championship Edition is based on the 3LT trim with Z51 Performance Package. As you can imagine, each of the 1,000 copies of this mid-engined sports car features a Corvette Racing-themed graphics package that vary between two colors. The Accelerate Yellow No. 3 editions feature gray graphics, while Hypersonic Gray No. 4 2022 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Championship Special Edition coupes and convertibles feature yellow accents, as seen in the photos.
Additional exterior content (which may vary by market):
• High-wing spoiler in Carbon Flash
• Yellow brake calipers
• Black Trident design wheels, with the “Jake” logo on the center caps, and black lug nuts
• Exterior mirrors in Carbon Flash
• Black side rockers
• Splash guards
The interior of the 2022 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Championship Special Edition features a Strike Yellow and Sky Cool Gray cabin that mimics the exterior yellow and gray racing theme, with standard GT2 seats (Competition Sport seats are available), yellow seat belts and a C8.R Special Edition numbered plaque, uniquely depicting the serial number of each car.
Each Corvette IMSA GTLM Championship Edition comes with a custom-fitted indoor car cover rendered to the appearance of the No. 3 or No. 4 Corvette C8.R race car that will match each Special Edition’s color and graphic scheme.
The 2022 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Championship Edition package starts at $6,595 USD.
2022 Corvette Stingray: What’s New And Different
As MC&T covered previously, the 2022 Corvette Stingray lineup adds three new exterior colors: Hypersonic Gray, Caffeine and Amplify Orange Tintcoat, while deleting three others. In addition, the 2022 Corvette Stingray lineup adds a new low-profile rear spoiler, while the Z51 front splitter will be available to non-Z51 models.
Mechanically, the 2022 Corvette Stingray keeps its LT2 6.2L V8 engine, but receives an upgraded direct injection fuel system, improved engine calibration and an enhanced Active Fuel Management range. That said, standard output remains at 490 horsepower, or 495 horsepower with the available performance exhaust system. The Tremec-sourced eight-speed dual-clutch is the only transmission available, which allows for a Corvette Stingray Z51 to rocket from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds.
The 2022 Corvette Stingray maintains 1LT, 2LT and 3LT trims on both coupe and convertible models. The Z51 Performance Package available on all trim levels, while Magnetic Ride Control is available with or without the Z51 Performance Package.
The 2022 Corvette Stingray visualizer is now live on the official Chevrolet website.
The 2022 Corvette Stingray coupe will start at $62,195 including destination, while the convertible will start at $69,695 plus destination. Dealers will begin taking orders for the 2022 Corvette on July 1, 2021. The updated Corvette will begin production in Q3, 2021.
