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Generation: C6 Year: 2003 VIN: C6R-012 Race Numbers: Ownership: GM Corporation (2003 to 2007); Bob Blain (Janesville, WI) (Dec 2007 to present) Sponsors: None Drivers: Development car / show car Status: Original Color: yellow Tires/Wheels: Wheels are again BBS. Front wheels are 18” x 12.5”. Rear wheels are 18” x 13” Tires are Michelin racing tires. Front tires are 290/33-18”. Rear tires are 310/41-18” Brakes are 4 wheel disc with monoblock calipers, carbon rotors and pads. CHASSIS/DRIVELINE Most of the suspension and driveline components were continuations of the C5R package. But the new C6 and C6R also included specific changes in the chassis. Although the chassis remained as the hydroformed steel unit, there were specific changes. The new wheelbase is 105.7” (1” shorter) and the overall length is 177.6” (5” shorter). The car’s width is 78.7” and height is 45.8”. The front track is 62.2” and the rear track is 63.1”. Vehicle weight is 2425 lb. The suspension design remains as independent front and rear, featuring short/long double wishbones, steel fabricated upper and lower A-arms, machined aluminum knuckle, coil-over multi-adjustable shock absorbers and a mix of anit-roll bars. Engine: The 2005 season saw the introduction of the LS7.R racing engine, a further refinement of the GM small-block V-8 that has been the world's most successful production-based racing engine over a span of 50 years. Lighter and more powerful than previous Corvette powerplants, the LS7.R shares technology with the production 505 hp LS7 that powers the 2006 Corvette Z06 supercar. The 7.0 litre 427 aluminum engine used for the C5R car continued as the powerplant. It’s core characteristics included 4.180” diameter cylinder bores and a 3.875” crankshaft stroke. The engine uses a dry sump oiling system with electronically managed sequential fuel injection system. Individual runners (versus stock throttle body) and CNC-ported cylinder heads are used to tune the flow of air to the engine. Horsepower and torque were estimated at 590 HP and 640 lb/ft. While the small-block V-8's fundamentals and configuration remained unchanged, the LS7.R's internal components were designed to reduce horsepower losses due to internal friction and to reduce rotating mass. In addition, the team took a considerable amount of weight out of the engine, helping the balance of the car while also improving performance. For the 2004 season, and up to 2007, the car ran on 100 octane unleaded racing fuel. Commencing in 2008, the ALMS moved to E-85 ethanol fuel. Only minor adjustments were required to respond to the new fuel’s more corrosive characteristics. Driveline: Top: Interior: Condition: URL: REFERENCES: David Palmeter web site at: http://palmeter.com Corvette Racing (US) at: http://corvetteracing.com Corvette Motorsport (Europe) at: http://corvettemotorsport.com Unique Characteristics: P&M’s intention was to continue the numbering sequence with 013 and so on until one of the drivers who is highly superstitious freaked out and said he couldn’t drive any car with the number 13 on it, so they changed the serial number sequencing to accommodate the driver. C6R Show-Test Car Summary C6.R Show Car 1 C5R-012 chassis renumbered as C6R-012 - C6.R Test Mule then Show Car C5-R Show Car: VIN 1G1YY12G9X510005 - Decode: 1---X=Fixed Roof Coupe 1999 C6.R Show Car 2 VIN 1G1YY12G4X5100054 - Decode: 1---X=Fixed Roof Coupe 1999 C6.R Show Car 3 VIN 1G1YY22G9Y50004EX - Decode: 2---Y= Targa Coupe 2000 Modifications: In response to the ALMS changes in the body/aero package and the C6R's overall weight distribution had to be changed. Pratt & Miller introduced new low-friction suspension attachments that made the car quicker to react. The new regulations required more extensive use of the production car's chassis structure, retaining items such as the central drivetrain tunnel, the windshield frame and the rear bumper. Exterior changes in the sixth-generation Corvette include a single, large grille opening for the engine air intake, radiator, and brake cooling; flush headlights for better aerodynamics; and a smaller, sleeker shape that reduced drag. GM Racings assisted with CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis before the start of the season, to determine the effects of changes in ride height on the aero balance of the car. The main difference between the developmental car and the new race chassis is windows, air-conditioning and a small spoiler that is integrated into the rear deck lid under the main spoiler. There is a small difference in some of the onboard fluid container placements. And the development car does not require the long neck fueling rig nozzle that the current cars do. It takes a standard dry break filler. Notes/Race History: RACE HISTORY: No race history. Car was a developmental version based on C5R-012. Car was eventually sold to private collector Bob Blain of Janesville (WI), in December of 2007. Car was driven at the Sebring Historics in March of 2008 by Bob Blain. Co-driver was Dan Binks, crew chief to the # 3 C6R team. Registry ID Number: 503 View Original Size  # C6R-012 at Detroit Auto Show - Wayne Ellwood |