Manoli Katakis 
Corvette Racing hit a bit of a snare with the highly promising C8.R race car when IMSA and the WEC decided to change up their racing categories from fielding GTLM/GTD cars to FIA GT3-spec race cars instead. With the Z06-based C8.R built to GTLM spec, this had Chevrolet pulling all of the strings to get the C8.R to continue racing despite the elimination of the racing class it was built for. In 2022, Corvette Racing took home just one victory. Extremely out of character for one of the most decorated racing teams on the grid. Through this time period, however, there were rumors and rumblings that Corvette Racing was working on a new, fully homologated FIA GT3 race car. And today, we bear witness to the just that. 2024 Corvette Z06 GT3.R has revealed itself right in the middle of Daytona International Speedway, ahead of the mighty Rolex 24 this weekend.
2024 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Official Details
Per Chevrolet, Corvette Racing will field the FIA GT3-spec Corvette Z06 GT3.R in 2024 in both IMSA and the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Built by Pratt & Miller from the aluminum chassis of a production Corvette Z06 plucked right from Bowling Green Assembly, the 2024 Corvette Z06 GT3.R will retire the C8.R after just three seasons of racing. Moreover, the Corvette Z06 GT3.R will be offered to privateer customer teams, with full factory support, including the option to have a truck full of parts, engineering assistance from the factory team, as well as racing strategy. Pricing for the customer cars have not been made public at this time.
On the factory side, we’ll see the most committed Corvette Racing program ever. Unlike 2022 and 2023, which sees the team field just one car in both IMSA and the WEC, Corvette Racing will see up to four Corvette Z06 GT3.R entries with a mix of GTD PRO and privateer GTD teams starting with the 2024 Rolex 24. In addition, two Corvette Z06 GT3.R cars will be bound for FIA WEC in hopes of a double entry in the yet-to-be-named GT category, which includes the unrivaled 24 Hours of Le Mans. In addition, Chevrolet Motorsports will also be evaluating opportunities to be represented in SRO Motorsports including SRO America and the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Specific team announcements including drivers are expected at a later date.
Behind the cockpit of the 2024 Corvette Z06 GT3.R remains an LT6-based 5.5L DOHC V8 engine that shares the block, and 70 percent of its parts with the production C8 Corvette Z06, demonstrating incredible track-to-street validation and development. Chevrolet Motorsports began testing the Corvette Z06 GT3.R beginning in early 2021 starting with GM’s Driver in the Loop virtual simulator. In September 2022 the Corvette Z06 GT3.R hit the track for its first round of real-world testing. And when customers get their hands on their cars starting in Q3 2023, the car will have a full year of on-track development.
Entering its 25th season, Corvette Racing has scored 122 race victories around the world, including 113 in IMSA competition and 8 class victories at Le Mans. Those wins have led to 14 Manufacturer’s and Driver’s championships and 15 Team titles. No team in IMSA history has won more races or championships than Corvette Racing in that span.
