Lucas Bell 
In order to be a successful racing driver, you have to have an inherent level of skill and control behind the wheel. Winning races however isn’t just about how good of a wheelman is sitting in the driver’s seat, but rather the culmination of months of development and practice combined with a little luck. The car has to be sorted, the driver focused, and the powertrain needs to be able to withstand the stresses brought on by racing. By these metrics, it’s hard to ignore the recent success of Jake Rozelle and his Eliminator Spec R powered C5 Corvette sponsored by Lingenfelter Performance Engineering.
Rozelle’s C5 competes in the Ultimate Street Car Association’s GTL class, where he faces some of the best drivers in the USCA. The purple Vette is an absolute unit of a racing vehicle, but its crown jewel is the 8,000 RPM capable Eliminator Spec R LS7 engine built by LPE, which doles out a ludicrous 800 naturally-aspirated horsepower.
In order to make such a potent V8 without forced induction, LPE fitted the engine with a list of their own parts, including connecting rods and forged pistons, ported and polished heads, a dual LSX valve spring kit with titanium retainers, an Eliminator Series roller camshaft, and their own 103mm throttle body. Another key element to the Eliminator Spec R motors are their Performance Design carbon PTR intake manifolds, which can be prominently seen popping out of the hood of Rozelle’s C5. The motor is finished off with a set of carbon-fiber valve covers, and some Kooks LSX long tube headers.
The massively capable V8 engine has helped Rozelle to capture back to back wins during the first two events in the USCA season. Following the opening weekend victory in Las Vegas, the LPE sponsored driver dominated nearly every metric during the second race at Willow Springs. Rozelle managed to capture 1st place overall in the road course, autocross, and in the D&E categories to secure his second season victory with a dominating score of 497 total points. It’s not hard to see why when you listen to this motor roar down the long straights at Willow Springs.
It’s been a great season so far for Jake Rozelle and his Eliminator Spec R powered C5, something we’re sure they’d like to continue at Pikes Peak International Raceway later this summer. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering told MC&T that other drivers have been so impressed with Jake’s car that they have looked into getting an Eliminator Spec R motor of their own. LPE has decided to build a line of these motors specifically tailored to run in the USCA series. I guess if you can’t beat them, join them.
