Four drivers and four special editions for the most successful sports car racing team in North America
Any motorsport fan with a passing interest in sportscar racing will know of the Corvette Racing team and its considerable success; over the past 20 years it’s won 99 IMSA races, more than any other North American team. That’s included three Daytona wins and 11 at the 12 Hours of Sebring, plus eight Le Mans triumphs.
Sadly there wasn’t another victory to kick off Corvette Racing’s 21st season of competition, though the Daytona weekend did see the reveal of four motorsport-inspired specials. And, well, we’re partial to a Corvette at PH, so here they are. Called the Drivers Series, the four Grand Sport-derived C7s have been “designed in collaboration with the Corvette Racing Team”. For those that don’t know, that’s Tommy Miner, Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia.
According to Chevrolet, each driver is said to have worked with designers on their respective car, to give the Drivers Series Corvettes “distinctly personalised appearances.” Hmm. To that end, the Tommy Milner car is Elkhart Lake Blue with silver stripes, black wheels and red seat belts; Oliver Gavin’s is Shadow Grey with Torch Red stripes, ‘Carbon Flash’ mirrors and Adrenaline Red interior; the Jan Magnussen Edition is Arctic White with Crystal Red stripes and the Antonio Garcia is traditional Corvette Racing yellow, again also featuring the Carbon Flash mirrors and black wheels.
Otherwise they’re standard Grand Sport Corvettes, with the 460hp, 6.2-litre LT1 V8, Brembo brakes and magnetic dampers. The regular Corvette 1LT, 2LT and 3LT trim levels are available, as is the Z07 package, which brings ceramic brakes and Michelin Cup 2 tyres for those buyers most dedicated to emulating their favourite racer.
Chevrolet says the Drivers Series packages will be launched this spring, though a price hasn’t been announced just yet. For reference a standard Grand Sport costs $65,000 in the US, or less than £50k. Naturally the cars won’t make it to the UK; however for those desperate to grab a Grand Sport, there are one or two in the UK…
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